By Sam Hill
Wales tighthead prop Keiron Assiratti has described the opportunity to face the All Blacks tomorrow as a childhood dream come true.
This will be the Cardiff prop’s second start in three games this autumn under new head coach Steve Tandy, who has opted to draft him in over Archie Griffin.
Assiratti anticipates an electric atmosphere inside the Principality Stadium as he lines up against New Zealand for the first time in his career.
He said: “I’m really excited, to face the Haka and everything, when you’re a kid you always dream of things like this, facing the top teams.”
Assiratti says he is enjoying life under the new coaching set-up, particularly working with former front row stalwart Duncan Jones, now one of Tandy’s back-up staff.
“They are very different to the past coaching group”, said the 28-year-old, who made his debut in a World Cup warm-up game against England in 2023 under the command of Warren Gatland.
“Duncan has been good just building our process. We’ve been pretty good so far scrummaging-wise, so hopefully it just keeps kicking on and getting better evey week.”
Assiratti was full of praise also for debutant Harri Deaves who will make his international bow tomorrow.
It’s a rapid rise for the Pontyclun man who has been rewarded with a starting role after his eye-catching performances at club level for the Ospreys.
“Harri is a good boy, he’s been really good for the group, and he’ll rip into it tomorrow,” said Assiratti. “He’s a great addition into the squad.”
Wales have not triumphed over the All Blacks since 1953.