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New Zealand head coach Steve Hansen has played down any significance of history ahead of their meeting with Wales on Saturday in a fixture the All Blacks have not lost since 1953. While Warren Gatland secured a first managerial victory over the All Blacks with the British & Irish Lions in the summer, Wales face the possibility of 30 matches without a win in the series should they lose this weekend. "History is a little bit like a drought," Hansen said. "Every day you are one [day] closer to it raining, so every year they will be one closer to winning [against New Zealand]. "For us, we don't talk about winning and losing, we talk about preparing and having a process that allows [us] to go out and play well or the best we can." Hansen, meanwhile has adopted a philosophical approach to losing captain Kieran Read with the No. 8 sidelined with a back injury. Read is replaced in the back row by Luke Whitelock, with his brother and lock Sam Whitelock skippering the side for the first time. "He [Read] hurt his back today, so he is unavailable. He is resting up in his bedroom," Hansen said. "Kieran is like everyone else. If you are not available, it is an opportunity for someone else. "While it is disappointing to lose your leader and a guy who has played 100-odd Test matches, you can't do anything about it so there is no point getting all emotional about it. "Sam is a successful captain. He has been a leader in our group for quite some time now." While Read is sidelined, wing Rieko Ioane, who starred against the British and Irish Lions earlier this year, has recovered from a shoulder injury. "We did say at the beginning of the week that Rieko Ioane wasn't going to be playing," Hansen added. "I don't know what the doctor has done, but he has fixed him and he is available. "He had a scan on his shoulder earlier in the week. There was no damage there, and through the week it has got better and better. We tested him today, and he is fine." Read apart, one other injury-enforced change from the team that beat Scotland at Murrayfield last weekend sees lock Patrick Tuipulotu taking over from Luke Romano. Elsewhere, Liam Squire starts in the back row as New Zealand chase a 30th-successive victory over Wales. "While it's disappointing to not have 'Reado' 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," Hansen said. "With his brother Luke captaining the All Blacks against the French XV [in Lyon], it will create a unique All Blacks family history, and one which their family can be proud of. There has been a real energy and buzz in the team this week as we prepare for the Test against Wales."
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