Basham starts for Wales against All Blacks as injured Wainwright misses out
Number eight Taine Basham will make his first Wales start in four years against New Zealand on Saturday. Coach Steve Tandy has made four changes after Aaron Wainwright hurt his calf in the 28-21 win over Japan.
Taine Basham will start at number eight for Wales against New Zealand on Saturday. It is his first international start in four years. He replaces the injured Aaron Wainwright for the Nations Championship match, BBC Sport reported. Head coach Steve Tandy has made four changes to his starting side. James Botham starts at flanker instead of his Cardiff teammate Alex Mann, with Jac Morgan completing the back row. Lock Adam Beard comes in for Ben Carter. Beard, 30, will win his 69th cap after playing for his French club Montpellier last weekend. The biggest call is on the wing. Josh Adams scored two tries in the 28-21 win over Japan but has been left out. Leicester's Gabriel Hamer-Webb takes his place and wins only his second cap. The 26-year-old started the Six Nations defeat to Scotland in February and recently scored a hat-trick against Saracens in the Prem. Wainwright, Wales' most effective ball-carrier in recent times, picked up a minor calf injury against Japan. He has spent the week in a protective boot as he battles to be fit for the Australia match. Sale prop Tomas Francis is…
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