Captaincy century for Richie McCaw, Dan Carter misses out

Richie McCaw will this weekend become the first rugby union player to captain his country 100 times when he leads New Zealand out against Wales at the Millennium Stadium.

The 33-year-old will skipper a Kiwis side with 12 changes from the 24-16 victory over Scotland, as the hosts go in search of their first win in this fixture since 1953.

Star fly-half Dan Carter is not in the matchday squad as he continues his comeback from injury away from the field, while Beauden Barrett comes in at 10 with Colin Slade on the replacements' bench.

In all, Ben Smith, Charles Piutau and McCaw are the only three players to retain their place in the starting XV for the trip to South Wales.

Warren Gatland named his squad earlier this week, meanwhile, bringing Leigh Halfpenny, Jonathan Davies, Dan Biggar and Rhys Webb back into the fold following injuries.

NEW ZEALAND SQUAD IN FULL:

STARTING XV: Ben Smith; Charles Piutau, Conrad Smith, Sonny Bill Williams, Julian Savea; Beauden Barrett, Aaron Smith; Wyatt Crockett, Dane Coles, Owen Franks, Brodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock, Kieran Read, Richie McCaw (capt), Jerome Kaino.

Replacements: Keven Mealamu, Joe Moody, Charlie Faumuina, Patrick Tuipulotu, Liam Messam, TJ Perenara, Colin Slade, Ryan Crotty