Ross Moriarty insists he is ready to fill the void left by Dan Lydiate’s injury when Wales face the All Blacks on June 11.
Moriarty played at blindside flanker against England last week and although he struggled at times in defence, his impact with ball in hand was one of the few plus points to emerge from the 27-13 defeat.
It was only the Gloucester flanker’s second Test start, but with Lydiate out of the tour with a shoulder problem, Moriarty is now likely to feature at No.6 against New Zealand when Wales start their three-Test series in Auckland.
The 22-year-old son of former Wales back row forward Paul Moriarty said: “It was sad to see Dan go down injured, but we have a few back-rowers here who have an opportunity now.
“It opens a window and I’ll be pushing for a start. I enjoyed playing from the start against England and to play a full match. I needed that to blow the cobwebs off.
“It was a tough test and good to get some game-time under our belts before we go to New Zealand.
“The All Blacks are the best team in the world, they have won the World Cup on the last two occasions, so it’s going to be a huge test for us, but we’re not going to hold back.
“Everyone wants to play the best team in the world and there is no bigger test than taking on New Zealand in their own backyard.”
Wales coach Warren Gatland insists skipper Sam Warburton will be fit to face the World Cup winners, despite the fact he missed the Twickenham warm-up clash because of a shoulder injury.
Gatland’s back row options are to pick Warburton at No.7, with either Moriarty or Cardiff Blues’ Josh Turnbull at blindside. Or, Gatland could opt to play Warburton at blindside and give a challenging first cap to Ellis Jenkins, the specialist openside called into the squad to replace Lydiate.
Wales arrived in New Zealand on Tuesday morning and have 11 days to prefer for the first Test at Eden Park, where the All Blacks have not lost for 22 years.
