Basham ends 32-month Wales absence as Tandy makes four changes to face All Blacks

Taine Basham will make his first Wales appearance since the 2024 Six Nations when he starts at No.8 against New Zealand in their Nations Championship fixture on Saturday, after interim head coach Steve Tandy made four changes to the side that beat Japan 28-21 last weekend.

Basham’s recall is the headline selection, with Aaron Wainwright ruled out due to a minor calf injury sustained ahead of the game. The Cardiff back-row’s return ends a 32-month wait for an international start, a gap Tandy was quick to acknowledge. “I’m delighted that Taine gets an opportunity this weekend,” the Wales coach said. “It’s been a while since his last appearance for Wales but he didn’t give up and has put in a lot of dedication and hard work to get back. The way he’s been playing for Cardiff has been great and I’m excited to see him go on Saturday.”

James Botham comes in at blindside flanker and Adam Beard is restored to the second row, while Gabriel Hamer-Webb earns his first Nations Championship start on the wing. Tomas Francis has been released from the squad after picking up a knee injury in training, with Keiron Assiratti called up as cover.

Tandy made clear he expects a significant step up in performance after a win over Japan that he felt left room for improvement. “We have to go up another level this weekend and be more ruthless,” he said. “We have one of the best teams in the world coming. We want to be better and put in an 80-minute performance.”

Wales XV: 15 Blair Murray, 14 Louis Rees-Zammit, 13 Eddie James, 12 Max Llewellyn, 11 Gabriel Hamer-Webb, 10 Sam Costelow, 9 Tomos Williams; 1 Nicky Smith, 2 Dewi Lake (c), 3 Archie Griffin, 4 Dafydd Jenkins, 5 Adam Beard, 6 James Botham, 7 Jac Morgan, 8 Taine Basham.

Replacements: 16 Ryan Elias, 17 Gareth Thomas, 18 Dillon Lewis, 19 Ben Carter, 20 Taine Plumtree, 21 Reuben Morgan-Williams, 22 Dan Edwards, 23 Louie Hennessey.