WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) Veteran center Jamie Roberts will captain a Wales team featuring eight rugby players making their test debuts against Tonga on Friday at Auckland’s Eden Park.
Roberts, a veteran of 94 test matches, is by far the most-experienced member of a Welsh team missing most of its stars. Several are playing with the British and Irish Lions team currently touring New Zealand, while others are injured.
Three uncapped players – left winger Steffan Evans, lock Seb Davies and backrower Thomas Young – are included in the starting 15.
Evans was the top try-scorer in the Guinness Pro12 competition last season, while Young was a European Player of the Year nominee.