Warren Gatland, Wales’ coach has named an experienced squad of 35 for next month’s three-Test tour of New Zealand.
The option to go for experience was a reflection of how tough the tour was going to be, he told media.
“I don’t think New Zealand is probably the best place to be blooding youngsters in terms of confidence,” he said.
Missing from the side is fullback Leigh Halfpenny who has been out of action since September and who hasn’t been involved in any rugby. Those who are named and expected to recover from injuries they have are: skipper Sam Warburton who had a shoulder injury, lock Alun Wyn Jones who had a heel injury, prop Samson Lee who has concussion, centre Scott Williams who has had a hamstring injury and Paul James who had eye surgery but who has been training.
Gatland said Halfpenny was happy to be part of the stand-by list.
“He is doing a little bit of running now, and maybe there is a possibility he will have a few games for Toulon, and if we do pick up an injury, there is the potential to perhaps call him in later in the tour,” he said.
Looking at the chance to end Wales’ run of defeats by the All Blacks, stretching back to 1953, Gatland was aware of the speculation surrounding the side’s chances especially in wake of the All Blacks’ loss of experience after the World Cup.
“When I look back at their performances during the World Cup, in three of the games they were behind at half-time, but they had McCaw, Carter, Nonu and Conrad Smith to draw on, not to panic and to trust their processes, come from behind and not just win games, but win comfortably,” he said.
However, many of the players Wales would face had been on the scene for a while and had experience of the All Blacks’ set-up.
“They will fit seamlessly into a New Zealand set-up. A lot of them have been performing pretty well for those New Zealand Super Rugby sides, who all seem to be going nicely.
“So we’re not under-estimating how tough that proposition is but we have to take positives from where we are, the experience we have in the squad and the number of caps,” he said.
There was a great chance for individuals in the side to have experience of New Zealand 12 months out from a Lions tour.
Wales will have a preliminary game to the tour on May 29 against England, who are preparing for their tour of Australia.
“We identified this fixture 12 months or so ago because England and ourselves have failed in the past by going on tour and being undercooked, particularly in first Tests.
“With a lot of players getting a run under their belts and experiencing that level and intensity, hopefully we can hit the ground running and be a bit more prepared for that first Test in New Zealand,” he said.
The full squad is:
Forwards: Rob Evans (Scarlets), Tomas Francis (Exeter Chiefs), Paul James (Ospreys) Gethin Jenkins (Cardiff Blues), Rhodri Jones (Scarlets), Samson Lee (Scarlets), Scott Baldwin (Ospreys), Kristian Dacey (Cardiff Blues), Ken Owens (Scarlets), Jake Ball (Scarlets), Luke Charteris (Racing Metro), Bradley Davies (Wasps), Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys), Taulupe Faletau (Newport Gwent Dragons), James King (Ospreys), Dan Lydiate (Ospreys), Ross Moriarty (Gloucester), Josh Turnbull (Cardiff Blues), Sam Warburton (Cardiff Blues, capt).
Backs: Gareth Davies (Scarlets), Rhys Webb (Ospreys), Lloyd Williams (Cardiff Blues), Gareth Anscombe (Cardiff Blues), Dan Biggar (Ospreys), Rhys Priestland (Bath Rugby), Jonathan Davies (Clermont Auvergne), Tyler Morgan (Newport Gwent Dragons), Jamie Roberts (Harlequins), Scott Williams (Scarlets), Hallam Amos (Newport Gwent Dragons), Matthew Morgan (Bristol), Tom James (Cardiff Blues), George North (Northampton Saints), Eli Walker (Ospreys), Liam Williams (Scarlets).
The All Blacks take on Wales in a three Test series in June. Matches are played in Auckland (June 11), Wellington (June 18) and Dunedin (June 25).
