With the weight of 120 years of history hanging over them, Wales are preparing for a defining moment as they welcome back Joe Roberts and introduce Ben Warren to the squad ahead of their clash with the New Zealand All Blacks at the Principality Stadium on Saturday, November 22, 2025. It’s not just another autumn test — it’s the latest chapter in a losing streak that stretches back to 1905. Thirty-two matches. Zero wins. And this time, the pressure isn’t just on the field; it’s on Steve Tandy, the head coach who’s still finding his footing after taking over from Warren Gatland in June 2025.
A squad reshaped by urgency
Tandy’s decision to recall Joe Roberts, the 25-year-old Scarlets centre with six previous caps, isn’t just about filling a slot. Roberts last wore the red jersey during Wales’s summer tour of Japan in July 2025 — a tour that, like so many before it, ended without a win. His return signals a shift toward experience amid a wave of youth. Meanwhile, Ben Warren, the 24-year-old tighthead prop from the Ospreys, remains uncapped — but not unnoticed. He’s been named in a 41-man squad that includes 23 forwards, many of them under 25, signaling a deliberate rebuild.The call-up comes on the heels of Wales’s first win under Tandy — a heart-stopping 24-23 victory over Japan on November 16, 2025, after a bruising 45-17 loss to Argentina just a week earlier. That win wasn’t pretty, but it was enough to give Tandy breathing room. "We felt we would have liked to have improved more last weekend," he admitted. "It was obviously good to get the win, but we want to improve our own performance against a world-class opposition on Saturday."
The debut-makers and the returnees
The real intrigue lies in who might step onto the pitch for the first time. Hooker Brodie Coghlan (22, Dragons RFC) and flanker Harri Deaves (21, Ospreys) are both poised to make their international debuts off the bench. And then there’s Gareth Thomas (24, Ospreys), the loosehead prop who hasn’t worn the red jersey since the 2024 Six Nations — now in line for his first appearance of the autumn campaign.But the most notable change is in the backs. Joe Hawkins (24, Scarlets) will start at inside centre for the first time since March 2023, replacing Ben Thomas. Tandy praised Hawkins’s versatility — he’s played fly-half and centre — and called him "that second pair of hands." It’s a subtle but telling shift: Wales aren’t just trying to compete. They’re trying to adapt.
History doesn’t just loom — it haunts
The last time Wales beat New Zealand? October 31, 1953. A 13-13 draw at Cardiff Arms Park. Since then, 32 matches. 32 losses. The biggest margin? 55-23 in Auckland during the 2023 Rugby World Cup. That game wasn’t just a defeat — it was a reckoning. Wales failed to reach the quarterfinals. Gatland left. And now, the mantle falls to Tandy, who’s spent the last six months trying to stitch together a team that still believes it can win.The All Blacks, ranked number one in the world, haven’t lost to Wales in a generation. Not one. Not even close. They’ve outscored them by an average of 38 points per game over the last decade. And yet, something feels different this time. Wales aren’t just here to make up the numbers. They’ve got a new generation of forwards — Coghlan, Deaves, Warren — and a backline that’s starting to find its rhythm. Hawkins at 12, Roberts back in the midfield, and the quiet confidence of Tandy’s leadership suggest they’re not just preparing for a match. They’re preparing for a reckoning.
What comes after the All Blacks?
This isn’t just about November 22. It’s about November 29, when South Africa — the reigning world champions — roll into Cardiff. Two giants. Two chances to break the cycle. If Wales lose both, the narrative becomes even harder to shake: a team in transition, forever chasing ghosts. But if they can hang with New Zealand? If they can even score a try or two? That’s when the doubters start to wonder — maybe, just maybe, the tide is turning.The Wales Rugby Union has spent the last six months rebuilding from the wreckage of a failed World Cup campaign. The players are young. The coach is new. The expectations? Low. But in rugby, history doesn’t always predict the future. Sometimes, it just sets the stage for the next surprise.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Ben Warren’s inclusion significant?
Ben Warren, a 24-year-old tighthead prop from the Ospreys, is uncapped but has been a standout in the United Rugby Championship this season. His inclusion signals a shift toward younger, more mobile front-row options as Wales look to compete with New Zealand’s physicality. He’s the first Ospreys prop to be called up since 2023, and his scrummaging technique has drawn praise from Welsh forwards coach Mark Jones.
Has Wales ever come close to beating New Zealand?
Wales’ closest result since 1953 came in 2005, when they lost 25-23 in Cardiff. They led 23-15 with 10 minutes left before two late All Blacks tries sealed the win. In 2013, they were down 20-17 at the 70-minute mark before New Zealand pulled away. Those matches showed glimpses of competitiveness — but never the finish. This year’s squad has more youth and energy than any since 2013.
How does Joe Hawkins’ return at inside centre change Wales’ game plan?
Hawkins brings a more dynamic, ball-carrying presence than Ben Thomas, who’s more of a distributor. His ability to play both 10 and 12 gives Tandy tactical flexibility — especially against New Zealand’s aggressive defensive line. In training, Hawkins has been working on linking with Roberts and Rees-Zammit to create width, a key element Wales has struggled to execute against top-tier defenses.
What’s at stake for Steve Tandy after this match?
A loss to New Zealand won’t cost him his job — but a flat performance might. Tandy needs to show progress, not just results. If Wales can keep the score under 30 and score at least two tries, it will be seen as a moral victory. But if they’re outclassed again, questions will grow louder about whether the rebuild is moving fast enough before the 2026 Six Nations.
Why is the 2025 autumn series so important for Welsh rugby?
This is Wales’s final test before the 2026 Six Nations, and the performances here will shape selection for the championship opener against Scotland on January 31. With a new generation emerging — Coghlan, Deaves, Warren, Hawkins — the autumn series is less about wins and more about identifying who belongs in the long-term plan. The WRU is betting that these matches will define the next decade.
What’s the historical context of Wales vs. New Zealand?
The first meeting was in 1905, when New Zealand’s Original All Blacks won 3-0 in Cardiff. Since then, Wales has lost 32 consecutive matches — the longest winless streak against any nation in international rugby. Their only draw came in 1953. New Zealand has scored over 1,000 points against Wales in those 32 games. No other team in rugby history has such a one-sided record against a single opponent.
