New Zealand are set to make several changes for their match against Wales this weekend, with coach Neil Barnes confirming that Will Jordan and Jordie Barrett will not feature. Jordan has been ruled out with a minor hamstring tear, while Barrett will miss out despite passing his HIA protocols after a head-on-head clash against Scotland that knocked a tooth loose.
All Blacks to rotate against Wales
Barnes said of Jordan's involvement in the rest of the Nations Championship: "We are hopeful. At this stage, we're not conclusive where he's at. It's a minor tear, but depends how quickly it starts to heal this week, so we'll see how that progresses as the week comes on."
The coach also admitted that New Zealand could rotate from the side that beat Scotland at Murrayfield. "There's a lot of positions in this team where it's really close," he said. "We can make quite a few changes, still put a damn good side in and there's a lot of trust in the people we've selected for this group.
"A couple of people will get opportunities and they deserve them. If they play, that raises the bar on that position and then the other person has got to raise his game to get back in. It's just the flow-on effect, really. There's areas there where we'll make a couple of changes."
Tipuric to play in legends match
Wales and Ospreys legend Justin Tipuric will pull on his boots again later this month in a special match to celebrate his career. Some of the Ospreys' greatest names will take part, as a legends team take on Trebanos XV at St Helen's on Sunday, November 22. Proceeds from the match will go to Ospreys in the Community, as well as Trebanos, Tipuric's home club.
The three-time Lion grew up in Trebanos, playing his junior rugby at the club. His brother also played for them, while his father was once captain. As a professional player, he made 229 appearances for the Ospreys between 2009 and 2025, captaining the club for a number of years. For Wales, he won 93 caps, while he appeared on three Lions tours. He has moved into the Ospreys' coaching group since retiring.
"Trebanos is where it all started for me, so to bring the Ospreys and my home club together on the same pitch means a lot," said Tipuric. "I've been lucky to share a changing room with some brilliant players and people over the years, and it'll be special to have so many of them back together. I'm hoping it'll be a great day for everyone involved, whatever the legs can still manage! Trebanos gave me so much growing up, so it's great to be able to give something back to the club."
Some of the legends involved are set to be announced in the coming days, with the Ospreys' head of rugby, Dan Griffiths, paying tribute to Tipuric. "Justin is one of the greatest players to wear the black jersey," he said. "He was a world-class player and an even better person, but above all, a humble, homegrown Osprey who never forgot where he came from. This match is a chance for supporters to come together and say thank you, and there's no better way to do that than by bringing together the two clubs that mean so much to him. We'd encourage everyone to get their tickets early and be part of what promises to be a fantastic occasion."
Scotland call up Ali Price
Montpellier scrum-half Ali Price has been called up to train with the Scotland squad to replace Gus Warr, who has returned to Sale. Price, 33, last played for Scotland against Fiji in November 2024, but has been drafted in by Gregor Townsend following some impressive displays in the Top 14 this season, with Montpellier sitting third.
Following the demoralising 43-21 Nations Championship defeat to New Zealand, Scotland will look to produce a response against Australia at Murrayfield on Sunday. Ben White started at scrum-half against the All Blacks, with George Horne taking over for the closing stages. Jamie Dobie, who can also play at number nine, was deployed on the wing. Following the game against the Wallabies, Scotland will then face Japan on November 21 ahead of the Nations Championship finals weekend at Twickenham.
