Wales v New Zealand: Full-back Leigh Halfpenny ruled out for hosts

Leigh Halfpenny has played 96 internationals for Wales and four Tests for the British and Irish Lions

Wales full-back Leigh Halfpenny has been ruled out of the Autumn Nations Series opener against New Zealand because of a hamstring injury.

Gareth Anscombe switches to 15 after initially being named at fly-half.

That sees fly-half Rhys Priestland make his first Wales start in five years.

Halfpenny, 33, was named in the starting side but was a major doubt after playing virtually no part in the final training session and officially withdrew an hour before kick-off.

Scarlets uncapped fly-half Sam Costelow is promoted to the bench in place of Priestland.

Injured wings Alex Cuthbert and Josh Adams and centre Joe Hawkins are the other backs in the autumn squad.

Cuthbert has not played this season although Wales coach Wayne Pivac had suggested he could have been selected for the New Zealand game if it was the World Cup final.

Cardiff and British and Irish Lions full-back Liam Williams was already ruled out of the autumn internationals after dislocating his shoulder.

Priestland, 35, has been in impressive form for Cardiff this season and was used as a replacement last autumn against New Zealand and Australia, when he kicked the match-winning penalty.

It is disappointment for Halfpenny who was due to make his international comeback.

The Scarlets full-back has not played for Wales since suffering a major knee injury in his 100th international against Canada in July 2021 which forced him out of the game for 14 months.

Halfpenny took a very limited part in the opening stages of the captain's run at the Principality Stadium on Friday, the final training session before the game

He was not involved in the main session with the rest of the squad and was in conversation with a member of Welsh Rugby Union staff behind the posts before disappearing down the tunnel.