New Zealand coach Graham Henry was able to name his strongest available side to play Wales after prop Tony Woodcock was cleared of a punching charge.

Woodcock was sent to the sin-bin and subsequently cited for throwing a punch during the All Blacks` 22-3 victory over Ireland at Croke Park last Saturday.

New Zealand prop forward Tony Woodcock will be free to play for the All Blacks against Wales this weekend after a hearing here Wednesday decided he should not face fresh disciplinary action after a citing.

Woodcock admitted to an an act of foul play in that he struck an opponent with his hand in New Zealand`s 22-3 win against Ireland at Dublin`s Croke Park last Saturday.

Wales captain Craig Bellamy`s second-half goal was good enough to give the visitors a 1-0 win over Denmark in the international football friendly here Wednesday.

West Ham United forward Bellamy struck 13 minutes from time when, after running at the Denmark defence, he scored with a low shot from 20 yards out.

New Zealand coach Graham Henry stuck with the bulk of the side that beat Ireland last weekend when he named his side to play Wales at the Millennium Stadium here Saturday.

New Zealand coach Graham Henry stuck with the bulk of the side that beat Ireland last weekend when he named Wednesday his side to play Wales at the Millennium Stadium here Saturday.

New Zealand team to play Wales in a rugby union international at the Millennium Stadium here Saturday (1715GMT):

Mils Muliaina; Joe Rokocoko, Richard Kahui, Ma`a Nonu, Sitiveni Sivivatu; Dan Carter, Jimmy Cowan; Rodney So`oialo, Richie McCaw (capt), Jerome Kaino; Ali Williams, Brad Thorn; Tony Woodcock/Neemia Tialata/John Afoa; Keven Mealamu, Tony Woodcock/Neemia Tialata/John Afoa

Former Great Britain rugby league star Joe Lydon was appointed as the Welsh Rugby Union`s new head of performance and development on Wednesday.

Lydon will leave his post as Wigan Warriors performance director on December to oversee all Welsh rugby aspects outside the national squad and had been given a seat on the WRU`s executive board.

CARDIFF, Sept 29, 2007 (AFP) - Welsh legend Phil Bennett called for Wales coach Gareth Jenkins to quit in the aftermath of the humiliating 38-34 World Cup defeat to Fiji on Saturday.

The heartbreaking loss in Nantes meant Wales were eliminated from the tournament before the knockout stages with Fiji going on to face South Africa in the quarter-finals.

'Gareth Jenkins is a proud man and I don't think he'll walk away from the job, but the press are going to be scathing,' Bennett told BBC Wales.

PORNICHET, France, July 23, 2007 (AFP) - Wales` World Cup preparations are entering a critical phase said their coach Gareth Jenkins here at what will be their base camp during the rugby showpiece which begins on September 7.

Jenkins has brought a squad of 40 for a week long training camp and he admitted that it would be a tense time for the players as he soon has to whittle the group down to 30 for the tournament itself.

CARDIFF, July 22, 2007 (AFP) - Enzo Maccarinelli set up a possible world title unification clash after unanimously out-pointing Wayne Braithwaite in the third defence of his WBO cruiserweight title in Cardiff.

The Welshman was denied a fourth successive knock-out win by brave Braithwaite, Guyana`s former WBC champion who got off the canvas in the fifth round after being caught by a left hook.

Maccarinelli, 26, triumphed by the wide margin of 118-108, 118-109 and 120-107 to thrill his home fans at the International Arena on Saturday night.