Gethin Jenkins will captain Wales in Friday’s bronze-medal match against Australia at Eden Park as Sam Warburton is serving a three-week ban after being sent off during the semi-final defeat to France, who are 13/2 with bookmaker to beat New Zealand in the final.
In 1987 Wales beat Australia, whose tournament this year was ended by the All Blacks, to finish third and are 6/5 to repeat that feat.
Coach Warren Gatland has named a team that is largely the same as the one that has served him so well in the World Cup.
Toby Faletau moves from number eight to openside flanker as Warburton’s replacement, with Ryan Jones taking Faletau’s position. Paul James comes in at tighthead prop instead of Adam Jones, who has a calf muscle injury, while Bradley Davies replaces Alun-Wyn Jones.