Tandy hands Hamer-Webb Wales start against All Blacks as Adams given rest

Gabriel Hamer-Webb will start on the wing for Wales against New Zealand in Cardiff on Saturday, with head coach Steve Tandy making four changes to the side that beat Japan the previous weekend in the Nations Championship.

Taine Basham comes in at number eight to replace Aaron Wainwright, who is sidelined with a minor calf injury, while James Botham and Adam Beard have also been handed starts. The most discussed selection, however, is the decision to rest Josh Adams — who scored twice against Japan — in favour of Hamer-Webb.

“It’ll be good for Josh to get a bit of a break this weekend and just train,” Tandy said. “It gives Gabe an unbelievable opportunity which, in fairness, last weekend the selection was close.”

Tandy acknowledged the competition for wing places is fierce, pointing to the form of Ellis Mee alongside Hamer-Webb as evidence of the depth available. “You look at the wingers, you’ve got Ellis Mee as well who’s played unbelievably well for us, started really well for Scarlets. It’s a great opportunity for Gabe this weekend.”

Hamer-Webb has only one senior cap to his name, earned during Wales’s Six Nations defeat to Scotland earlier this year, but Tandy said his club form at Leicester has made the decision straightforward. The coach noted that Hamer-Webb has forced his way into a competitive Tigers back three alongside Adam Radwan and Ollie Hassell-Collins.

“I think the way he’s gone to Leicester — you look at Radwan and Hassell-Collins have been in real form — he’s broken into that,” Tandy said. “His intent around his chase, the growth in the recovery. What he has, I think he thoroughly deserves this opportunity.”

Tandy also explained the broader selection philosophy at work during the autumn window, contrasting it with the more settled approach Wales tend to take into the Six Nations. “It’s always that plan to rotate, especially in the autumn,” he said. “Whereas Six Nations you are probably going to be more what the team is.”

The match represents a significant test for Wales, who will look to build on the confidence of the Japan victory against a New Zealand side that remains one of the sport’s most formidable opponents.