Deaves comes into the back row for injured number eight Olly Cracknell as one of five personnel changes from the side that dramatically defeated Japan 24-23 last weekend.
Alongside Deaves in the back row, Alex Mann is named at blindside flanker, and Aaron Wainwright is selected at number eight.
Scarlets centre Joe Hawkins will make his first Wales start since March 2023 as he replaces Ben Thomas, whilst wing Tom Rogers comes in for suspended Josh Adams.
After impressing off the bench against Japan, props Rhys Carre and Keiron Assiratti return to the starting side after dropping to the replacements bench last time out.
Dragons hooker Brodie Coghlan could make his debut after being included as a replacement instead of the injured Liam Belcher, while Ospreys prop Gareth Thomas is also named on the bench.
Wales head coach Steve Tandy, speaking in his post-match press conference, said:
“Harri Deaves making his debut, I think, is an amazing story. I think his performances for the Ospreys, both sides of the ball, have been outstanding. I love how he plays the game.
“He’s a smaller rugby player, and the way he plays, he adds physicality. His speed and aggression are there for everyone to see. It’s an amazing opportunity for Harri, and we can’t wait to see him go on Saturday.
“We obviously want to improve the performance from Japan. I thought we had some outstanding moments against Argentina [in week one]. We felt we would have liked to have improved more last weekend. It was obviously good to get the win, but we want to improve our own performance against a world-class opposition on Saturday.
“Joe Hawkins is in at 12. We’ve been impressed with his versatility. He can play 10 and 12, and we feel he’s that second pair of hands. He’s trained really well over the last three weeks, so it’s exciting for him to get an opportunity.”
Wales XV to face New Zealand:
Murray; Rees-Zammit, Llewellyn, Hawkins, Rogers; Edwards, T Williams
Carre, Lake (captain), Assiratti, D Jenkins, Beard, Mann, Deaves, Wainwright.
Replacements:
Coghlan, G Thomas, Griffin, F Thomas, Plumtree, Hardy, J Evans, Tompkins.
[Lead image: Chris Fairweather/Huw Evans Picture Agency]
