Ryan Giggs believes Wales can learn from All Blacks after conversation with New Zealand legend Dan Carter

Giggs has named an enlarged 32-man squad, featuring nine uncapped players, but those numbers will be trimmed before Wales head out to the United States next Tuesday

Ryan Giggs is preparing for his first qualifying campaign (AFP/Getty Images)

Ryan Giggs has revealed what his Wales team can learn from the All Blacks following a conversation with New Zealand rugby great Dan Carter.

The All Blacks have dominated rugby union over the last decade, winning two World Cups and being top of the world rankings since 2009.

Giggs is just a few months into his Wales reign – next week’s trip to California to take on Mexico comes on the back of his baptism at the China Cup in March – but he already has a clear understanding of what he wants to see from his squad.

“I believe in giving youth a chance,” said Giggs, who will be without senior players Gareth Bale, Joe Allen and James Chester for one reason or another in Pasadena. “The experienced players are important in that respect too and they were in China. They came into the team and helped the younger guys along.

“I spoke to Dan Carter a few months ago and he was saying about the New Zealand rugby team, and when he was there he had to look after Beauden Barrett. He (Barrett) was after his place, but in New Zealand you have to look after the next generation.

“I thought it was fantastic that if he didn’t, he would have got hammered from the All Blacks media and the fans. That’s just part and parcel of why the All Blacks are so great. Even though that player is after his place, he still has to guide him and help him along.”

Giggs knows the extra benefits of from having senior players like Bale – who misses the Mexico game because of Real Madrid’s involvement in the Champions League final against Liverpool two days earlier – Allen and Aaron Ramsey around. The youngsters, he says, can learn from them and, in turn, the established players can thrive from freshness in the squad and greater competition for places.

“Dan had a pretty good career himself and he said it made him a better player and kept him sharp,” Giggs said. “It probably prolonged his career because he still wanted that jersey. But (he) knew he had someone biting at his ankles and wanting to take his place.”

As well as Bale and the injured Allen, Wales will be without Liverpool pair Danny Ward and Ben Woodburn in California. Aston Villa duo Chester and Neil Taylor are also unavailable due to their involvement in the Championship play-off final.

Giggs has named an enlarged 32-man squad, featuring nine uncapped players, but those numbers will be trimmed before Wales head out to the United States next Tuesday.

On starting the get-together, Giggs addressed the newcomers and said: “I told them ‘don’t do anything different, you’re here for a reason and that’s because (of) what you can do’.

“I said ‘don’t do anything you wouldn’t normally do, just do what you normally do at your clubs’. That’s what I tried to do whenever I was in the first team at (Manchester) United or whenever I joined up with Wales. There’s a reason they are here, they just have to make sure they set the standard and keep to it.”

PA