Jenkins opts for Parker

Wales head coach Gareth Jenkins has sprung a major surprise for Saturday's Test against New Zealand - by dropping both Gavin Henson and James Hook to the bench.

With Stephen Jones fit to captain the side from fly-half, it was expected Jenkins' big decision would have been between Henson and Hook for the inside centre position.

But the 12 jersey goes to their Ospreys club-mate Sonny Parker, who only came out of international retirement two weeks ago.

Parker started against the Pacific Islanders and was a late inclusion in the side that beat Canada last Friday night after Henson had pulled out with an infected toe.

He retains his place in midfield alongside Tom Shanklin, while Jones returns to action after missing the last two games with knee ligament damage suffered in the 29-29 draw with Australia.

But Gareth Thomas misses out after failing to recover from a twisted knee. Kevin Morgan returns at full-back with Mark Jones and Shane Williams on the wings.

The other major decisions were in the front row, where Ospreys prop Duncan Jones won selection ahead of Gethin Jenkins at loose-head and Cardiff Blues hooker Rhys Thomas was preferred to Matthew Rees.

Coach Jenkins said: "Sonny very much played himself into the selection debate with two solid performances since coming out of retirement, against Canada and the Pacific Islanders.

"He comes into an exciting back line with the kind of pace and power which can hopefully match New Zealand and enable us to take our game-plan to them."