All Blacks coach John Mitchell has named a star-studded backline, including centre Aaron Mauger for his first Cup game after a knee injury.
Wales are aiming for their first win over the All Blacks since 1953. The sides last faced each other in June, with New Zealand scoring a comfortable 55-3 victory in Hamilton.
But Mitchell said that with just a week to go until the quarter-finals, his side would not underestimate the Welsh challenge.
“We’re going into a contest at the weekend that is going to be far more difficult,” he said.
“Wales will certainly have far more attacking threats than the sides we have played to date.
“They play with far more width. They just have a greater skill set. They have a very tall lineout and they are very physical in both attack and defence.
“The information we can gather is that they have improved (since June).”
New Zealand: Malili Muliaina; Doug Howlett, Leon MacDonald, Aaron Mauger, Joe Rokocoko; Carlos Spencer, Justin Marshall; Dave Hewett, Keven Mealamu, Greg Somervill, Brad Thorn, Ali Williams, Reuben Thorne (capt), Richie McCaw, Jerry Collins.
Replacements: Mark Hammett, Kees Meeuws, Rodney So’oialo, Marty Holah, Byron Kelleher, Daniel Carter, Ma’a Nonu.
