Only three players – wing George North, full-back Lee Byrne and prop Adam Jones – keep their starting positions from the 16-16 draw with Fiji although Ryan Jones and Dan Lydiate move places in the back row to accommodate the inclusion of Sam Warburton at openside.

But the real talking point is the selection of James who has been left out of the Wales set-up since the 23-year-old walked out of the squad for the RBS 6 Nations match against Italy.

James was aggrieved to have been overlooked in favour of Ospreys youngster Tom Prydie but has apparently been able to rebuild burnt bridges.

But Gatland was only focussing on the wide man’s form rather than history.

He said: “Tom James was injured when we named the squad at the start of the series, but he did well for the Blues last Friday night in the game against Ulster, scoring a try in a game they should have won.

“He has genuine pace and that along with size and physicality and some experience at this level is what we are going to need against New Zealand.”

Elsewhere in the team there are brand new combinations at half-back and centre with Stephen Jones and Mike Phillips along with Tom Shanklin and James Hook returning.

Up front, the all Lions front-row of Jones, Matthew Jones and Gethin Jenkins is reunited while Bradley Davies and Alun Wyn Jones will provide the grunt from the boiler room.

WALES: Lee Byrne; George North, Tom Shanklin, James Hook, Tom James; Stephen Jones, Mike Phillips; Gethin Jenkins, Matthew Rees, Adam Jones, Bradley Davies, Alun Wyn Jones, Dan Lydiate, Sam Warburton, Ryan Jones

Replacements: Huw Bennett, Paul James, Jonathan Thomas, Andy Powell, Martyn Williams, Richie Rees, Andrew Bishop