Autumn Test Wales v New Zealand: New Zealand and Wales may be celebrating the centenary of one of sport's oldest rivalries on Saturday, but their team selections underlined the fast-changing realities of modern rugby.
The All Blacks coach Graham Henry named only six of the starting line-up which clinched the Tri-Nations two months ago while the Welsh will be lacking no fewer than six Lions at the Millennium Stadium.
The bad news for the hosts is that Henry, once upon a time the 'Great Redeemer' of Welsh rugby, has still managed to assemble a formidable-looking side, captained by Tana Umaga and featuring the world's best all-round outhalf in Dan Carter.
While there are two forward debutants in the hefty shape of the Wellington prop Neemia Tialata and Taranaki's flanker Chris Masoe, there is no suggestion of a shadow feel to the rest of the chosen XV.
Henry, who indicated the team had been picked before his 35-strong squad left New Zealand, has at least done Wales a favour by leaving the world's best flanker Richie McCaw on the bench with one eye on the tourists' next two Tests against Ireland and England.
Umaga, who was involved in the incident which led to Brian O'Driscoll suffering a dislocated shoulder at Christchurch in June, is not expected to play against Ireland on Saturday week.
The powerful Tony Woodcock is also among the replacements in order to accommodate the 23-year-old Tialata. James Ryan replaces injured lock Ali Williams and fit-again hooker Anton Oliver is recalled.
Wales, in contrast, will have to do without Dwayne Peel and Martyn Williams as well as their previously injured Lions quartet of Ryan Jones, Gavin Henson, Tom Shanklin and Gethin Jenkins. Peel has not recovered from an ankle injury while Williams is mourning the loss of his mother, whose funeral is on Friday. Their replacements will be the richly talented Cardiff number nine Mike Phillips and the Ospreys back-row forward Jonathan Thomas, with the uncapped Chris Horsman and Lee Byrne on the bench.
If Wales coach Mike Ruddock fears an abrupt end to his team's eight-Test unbeaten run, however, there is no obvious sign.
"Everyone knows how good New Zealand are, but we're very optimistic," said Ruddock yesterday, reiterating his belief that last season's win over England and a subsequent Six Nations grand slam has given his squad confidence that they could be the first Wales side to beat the All Blacks since 1953.
