Overview
- New Zealand secured a 43-21 victory over Scotland last weekend that kept their Nations Championship unbeaten run alive and featured a sharp second-half finish.
- The squad dedicated the win to long-serving head of security Logan Cadwallader, who died in Edinburgh and was honoured by pre-game tributes including flag-bearing by his family.
- Winger Will Jordan suffered a minor hamstring tear in the Scotland match and is ruled out of the Wales Test and likely unavailable for the Twickenham fixture.
- Jordie Barrett underwent a head-injury assessment after the Scotland game, has since passed HIA protocols but is not expected to be named in the matchday 23 for Cardiff.
- Coaches have identified maul-defence weaknesses from Murrayfield and are making targeted tactical tweaks while relying on squad depth as they finalise selection for Wales and the finals weekend.