It is 50 years since Wales defeated New Zealand and, in making 10 changes from the side which earned a quarter-final berth by beating Italy last week, their coach Steve Hansen appears resigned to the run continuing in Sydney tomorrow.

Not that Hansen, whose side meet his fellow countrymen for the third time in a year, sees it that way. He argues it is a matter of giving players the lure of places in the likely quarter-final against England tomorrow week rather than making them whipping boys.

"They have the chance to prove themselves against one of the best sides in the world," said Hansen. "If they feel they deserve a place in the line-up against England, what better opportunity could they have?"

One surprise is that Hansen has not named an openside wing-forward specialist against the team with the quickest back division in the World Cup. Martyn Williams is rested with Colin Charvis moving to the side of the scrum from number eight.

Though Hansen may have changed two-thirds of the side, a number of the players have been regulars under him in the past: the centre Mark Taylor, the half-backs Stephen Jones and Gareth Cooper, the prop Iestyn Thomas and the second-row Robert Sidoli.

"This is not an inexperienced side," said Hansen, who is giving the backs Garan Evans and Shane Williams their first runs of the tournament. "Most of the players have appeared against the All Blacks in the last year and they will know what to expect. The pressure will be on New Zealand because everyone expects them to win but they are not going to have it their own way. Beating Italy last week was a huge day for Welsh rugby and, while we are not among the teams tipped to win the World Cup, we will be out to show that we have the competitive attitude to take on the best."

New Zealand are looking for a competitive outing after romps.

"We will have to be a lot more accurate against Wales than we have been: we want them to test us," said their captain Reuben Thorne.

NEW ZEALAND: M Muliaina; D Howlett, L MacDonald, A Mauger, J Rokocoko; C Spencer, J Marshall; D Hewett, K Mealamu, G Somerville, B Thorn, A Williams, R Thorne (capt), R McCaw, J Collins. Replacements: M Hammett, K Meeuws, R So'oialo, M Holah, B Kelleher, D Carter, M Nonu.

WALES: G Evans; S Williams, M Taylor, S Parker, T Shanklin; S Jones, G Cooper; I Thomas, R McBryde, A Jones, B Cockbain, R Sidoli, J Thomas, C Charvis (capt), A Popham. Replacements: M Davies, G Jenkins, C Wyatt, D Jones, D Peel, C Sweeney, G Thomas.