Arguably the only game no player really wants to play takes place on Friday as New Zealand and Wales go head-to-head in the third place play-off.

After defeats to England and South Africa respectively, these two teams will battle it out for the ‘honour’ of finishing the tournament in third position. While it is a match supporters will no doubt enjoy, it will be a painful one for many of the individuals involved on and off the field.

For the likes of captain Kieran Read, who is playing his final Test, and head coach Steve Hansen, who will leave his role after the World Cup, this competition has gone very much against the grain. They were expected to dispatch the Red Rose in the semi-final and reach a third successive showpiece event, but the three-time world champions were completely outplayed in Yokohama.

It is a similar story for the Welsh with boss Warren Gatland set for an emotional final encounter against the country of his birth. After 12 years in the hot seat, which has seen them claim a superb four Six Nations titles and three Grand Slams, Gatland will depart for home, where he will take over at Super Rugby side the Chiefs.

The selected 23-man squad will therefore want to end the 56-year-old’s tenure on a high note, but it is difficult to see them coming close to the New Zealanders on Friday. Although both teams have made significant alterations to their XVs, Wales simply don’t have the depth or quality of their opponents.

With injuries hampering them over the past couple of months, it is a makeshift outfit which will run out for their final game in the 2019 World Cup. There is excitement in the inclusion of talented young wing Owen Lane, while scrum-half Tomos Williams gets a chance to start after impressing off the bench in the big games.

It should not be enough to overcome Hansen’s charges, however, who have selected another potent-looking side. It is a bit more experienced than the one which faced the Red Rose, with Ben Smith, Ryan Crotty and Rieko Ioane all restored to the starting line-up, but there is still youthful exuberance in the shape of Richie Mo’unga at fly-half.

There is an argument to say that the southern hemisphere side missed Crotty’s and Smith’s organisational skills in the semi-final and those two will look to bring more cohesiveness to the backline. Of course, they are unlikely to be under the same pressure from a Welsh pack which is missing some key players, but those old stagers will want to prove a point in Tokyo.

Ultimately, having not beaten the All Blacks since 1953, it will be a shock if Wales’ barren run does not go on. A frustrated New Zealand team is often a frightening prospect for their opponents and they will look to pile on the points on Friday.

Players to watch:

For New Zealand: This encounter will be the final All Blacks match for an incredible trio with Ben Smith, Sonny Bill Williams and Kieran Read set to retire from the international game following the game. All have been superb servants to New Zealand rugby and were key components during the 2015 Rugby World Cup win. Both Read and Williams also featured in 2011 as Graham Henry’s men claimed their first global title for 24 years, ending their barren spell. Those three players will be missed by the national team but they have an opportunity to finish their Test careers on a high and display their qualities one final time on the biggest stage.

For Wales: While the All Blacks have introduced experience in attempting to give their legends a fitting send-off, the Welsh are perhaps looking to the future. Among those selected is wing Owen Lane, who will win just his second cap when he takes to the field in Tokyo. The 21-year-old was not initially selected for the squad but was called up after Josh Navidi went down injured and has been presented with an opportunity against the three-time world champions. Lane is quick, powerful and an excellent finisher having enjoyed a stunning campaign for Cardiff Blues last season. He has all the assets to be an excellent player at Test level and this game will show whether the youngster is ready for the step up.

Head-to-head: New Zealand have restored Sam Cane to the starting line-up and his battle with the Scarlets’ James Davies will be intriguing. The All Blacks lost the breakdown battle to England’s young flankers last weekend and they will now face another team which contains dual opensides in the shape of Justin Tipuric and Davies. While the former is an experienced Test player with 71 Welsh caps to his name, the 29-year-old has often struggled to break into the squad, despite playing superbly well for his region over the years, but this is his chance to impress. Cane has something to prove following the loss to England but the Scarlets man is a talented operator and will look to pressurise New Zealand at the contact area on Friday.

Prediction: Both teams have made several changes but the All Blacks simply have more depth and quality. New Zealand by 20.