Wales head coach Ioan Cunningham, has named the Wales Women’s senior side to face New Zealand in the second Test match of the inaugural WXV1 campaign at the Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin, on Saturday, October 28th. (KO: 4pm local time).
Centre Hannah Jones will captain a Wales side with seven changes to the starting line-up and one positional switch from the team that faced Canada in the WXV1 opener in Wellington.
Full back Nel Metcalfe, 18, makes her first start for her country against the reigning world champions after making her Wales debut off the bench in the historic 38-18 win over the USA in Colwyn Bay.
Metcalfe played at full back for Wales U20s in the 39-12 victory over Canada in Ottawa in July.
Hooker Kelsey Jones, who won the Prem15s title with Gloucester-Hartpury, returns at hooker with Donna Rose selected at prop and in the starting line-up for the first time since facing New Zealand in the last World Cup.
The experienced Sioned Harries comes in at No 8 and wins her 77th cap for her country in a backrow which sees Alisha Butchers made vice-captain. Lleucu George is fly-half in a new-look midfield, with Hannah Bluck named at inside centre.
Carys Williams-Morris is named on the wing with double Olympian, Jasmine Joyce, switched to wing with Metcalfe at full back.
Ioan Cunningham, Wales Head coach, said: “We brought a squad of 30 players and the intention was to give as many players as we can the experience of playing against the best teams in the world in WXV1.
“We are excited to see this team face the challenge of playing the world champions in their own back yard. It will be a major challenge but it’s why we are here, and we want to test ourselves against the best.
“We are here to perform but we also need to build the depth of the squad and training has revealed a real competition for places and that will be key as we build to the next World Cup in England in 2025.
“Nel has impressed everyone since she has been with us and fully deserves this opportunity to show what she can do. It has been a remarkable journey for her since she played for Wales U20s, three months ago, in Canada.
“Kelsey and Donna are back and given an opportunity and Sioned will bring her vast experience at Test level to the side. Lleucu and Hannah Bluck have impressed and deserve their opportunity to start, while Jaz and Carys offer us a threat out wide.
“We know we have to tighten up on keeping the ball after the performance against Canada and as we showed in Wellington when we do that we can score tries and be competitive against any side.”
Wales team to face New Zealand
15. Nel Metcalfe
14. Jasmine Joyce
13. Hannah Jones (Capt)
12. Hannah Bluck
11. Carys Williams-Morris
10. Lleucu George
9. Keira Bevan;
1. Gwenllian Pyrs
2. Kelsey Jones
3. Donna Rose
4. Abbie Fleming
5. Kate Williams
6. Alisha Butchers (VC)
7. Alex Callend
8. Sioned Harries
Replacements:
16. Kat Evans
17. Abbey Constable
18. Sisilia Tuipulotu
19. Bryonie King
20. Bethan Lewis
21. Meg Davies
22. Robyn Wilkins
23. Meg Webb
Wales WXV1 Fixtures
- New Zealand v Wales, Saturday, 28th, Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin (KO: 4pm local time)
- Australia v Wales, Friday, November 3rd, Go Media Mount Smart Stadium, Auckland (KO: 7pm local time)
Forger
Alec Stewart, OBE had a batting average of 39.54. This is the lowest for a player who has scored at least 8000 runs. Stewart holds a score of 8,463 Test runs. This figure is significant because Stewart was born on April 8, 1963 (8/4/63). He is also the cricketer with the highest Test runs who does not have a career double history.
Tweety
Sport Trivia: Apart from a team event bronze medal in 1992, Ghana won three other individual Olympic medals in the 20th century. These were all in the same event. Which event was this? Answer: Boxing. Ghanaian boxers won silver in Rome in 1960, bronze in Tokyo in 1964, and Munich in 1972.