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Wales boss Steve Tandy believes Saturday’s game against New Zealand is a “great opportunity” for Gabriel Hamer-Webb.
The parties meet at Nations Championship in Cardiff this weekend, with Tandy making four changes to the Wales squad following last Saturday’s win over Japan.
Taine Basham starts at number eight in place of Aaron Wainwright, who is unavailable with a minor calf injury, with James Botham and Adam Beard both given starts.
Hamer-Webb comes on for Josh Adams, who scored two tries in the game Japan win and Tandy revealed the choice for the wing “was close” last weekend.
“The plan is always to rotate, especially in the fall Six Nations you’ll probably be more what the team is,” Tandy said.
“There are opportunities and again you look at the guys coming back, where they’ve been. He came back last weekend and played, coming back from injury, so it’s just awareness and ultimately creating an opportunity. It’ll be good for Josh to get some rest this weekend and just train.
“It gives Gabe an amazing opportunity which, to be fair, selection was tight last weekend. If you look at the wings you’ve also got Ellis Mee who has played incredibly well for us, he’s started really well for the Scarlets. It’s a great opportunity for Gabe this weekend.”
Hammer-Webb played just once against Wales in the Six Nations defeat Scotland earlier this year, but Tandy was happy with his form at Leicester.
“I think the way he went to Leicester, if you look at (Adam) Radwan and (Ollie) Hassell-Collins, he was in the right shape, he broke into it,” Tandy added.
“I think his intent is around his pursuit, growth in recovery. What he has I think he fully deserves this opportunity.”
