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Sam Whitelock will captain New Zealand against Wales in Cardiff after Kieran Read was ruled out through injury. Read was forced to sit out training earlier this week and has not recovered in time for Saturday's clash at the Principality Stadium. The No. 8's place in the All Blacks team has been taken by Whitelock's brother, Luke. There are two further changes in the pack with lock Luke Romano dropping out of the squad through injury. His place is taken by Patrick Tuipulotu, while Liam Squire comes into the back row in place of Vaea Fifita, who also drops out of the 23-man squad. Scott Barrett comes onto the replacements' bench. "Whilst it's disappointing to not have 'Reado' [Read] available, it's a great opportunity to further grow the leadership of the team and, in this case, Sam Whitelock gets the opportunity to captain the side," All Blacks head coach Steve Hansen said. "On behalf of the team, we'd like to congratulate him on this special honour. "With his brother Luke captaining the All Blacks against the French XV, it will create a unique, All Blacks family history, and one which their family can be proud of." All Blacks team to play Wales: McKenzie, Naholo, Crotty, Williams, Ioane, B. Barrett, Smith; Hames, Taylor, Laulala, Tuipulotu, S. Whitelock (captain), Squire, Cane, L. Whitelock. Replacements: Harris, Crockett, Tu'ungafasi, S. Barrett, Todd, Perenara, Sopoaga, Lienert-Brown.
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