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Harri Deaves began his working life as a roofer but on Saturday the Ospreys flanker will run out in the scarlet shirt of Wales against the All Blacks to complete “an amazing story” from club rugby player to international.
The 24-year-old will win his first cap in a Wales side showing five changes from the one that edged out Japan 24-23 with a last-gasp penalty.
Deaves’s ascent is one of the game’s more uncommon career paths in the era of professional rugby. He joined the Ospreys Academy from his local club, Pontyclun, in the Rhondda after a brief civil engineering course at Bridgend College.
His early days at Ospreys, alongside British & Irish Test Lions Alex Cuthbert, Justin Tipuric and Rhys Webb, saw him turn up for morning training sessions in his van ahead of afternoon work as a roofer.
Deaves makes the step up after Jac Morgan dislocated a shoulder in the 52-28 defeat by the Pumas. Standing at just under 6ft (182cm) and weighing 15st 1lb (96kg), the back rower has faced scepticism that he was too small to play for Wales.
Steve Tandy, the Wales head coach, said: “Harri Deaves making his debut I think is an amazing story. His performances for the Ospreys, both sides of the ball, have been outstanding. I love how he plays the game.
“He’s a smaller rugby player and the way he plays he adds physicality. His speed and aggression are there for everyone to see. It’s an amazing opportunity for Harri and we can’t wait to see him go on Saturday.”
Alex Mann and Aaron Wainwright join Deaves in the back row, while props Rhys Carre and Keiron Assiratti return to partner captain Dewi Lake in the front row. There are two changes to the back line with the Scarlets centre Joe Hawkins winning his first cap since the 2023 Six Nations.
Hawkins joined Exeter from Ospreys after that tournament and was ineligible for the 2023 World Cup as he did not have the required number of caps for those plying their trade outside of Wales to feature for the national side. Tom Rogers returns on the wing with Josh Adams suspended following his red card against Japan. Harlequins fly-half Jarrod Evans, who came off the bench against Japan to kick the winning penalty, is among the replacements again.
Meanwhile, Scott Robertson insists the All Blacks are not underestimating Wales, despite making 12 changes following their defeat by England. Only the New Zealand captain Scott Barrett, flanker Simon Parker and Will Jordan, who switches from full-back to wing, keep their places from the team beaten 33-19 at Allianz Stadium last weekend.
Beauden Barrett, Ardie Savea and Codie Taylor are among the big names rested at Principality Stadium. Robertson, the All Blacks head coach, said: “We have a lot to play for this weekend. We want to put on a performance that reflects the effort and pride we have put in. We do not underestimate the passion and resolve that Wales will bring and we know how organised, accurate and ruthless we need to be in return.”
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New Zealand have won their last 33 matches against Wales, with the All Blacks’ last defeat in the fixture coming in 1953.
Wales team: B Murray (Scarlets), L Rees-Zammit (Bristol), M Llewellyn (Gloucester), J Hawkins (Scarlets), T Rogers (Scarlets), D Edwards (Ospreys), T Williams (Gloucester); R Carre (Saracens), D Lake (Ospreys, capt), K Assiratti (Cardiff), D Jenkins (Exeter), A Beard (Montpellier), A Mann (Cardiff), H Deaves (Ospreys), A Wainwright (Dragons).
Replacements: B Coghlan (Dragons), Gareth Thomas (Ospreys), A Griffin (Bath), F Thomas (Gloucester), T Plumtree (Scarlets), K Hardy (Ospreys), J Evans (Harlequins), N Tompkins (Saracens).
