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Wales Online
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Katie Sands

Adam Jones, Dan Biggar and Sam Warburton rave about new Wales international

New Wales international Sam Wainwright deserves as much credit for the historic victory over South Africa as Gareth Anscombe, according to skipper Dan Biggar.

The 24-year-old Rhyl RFC product was pivotal in aiding Wales to secure their first away win over reigning world champions Springboks, and it's safe to say he had a debut he will remember for the rest of his life.

Wales left it late to secure their 13-12 win in Bloemfontein to level the series and set up a mouth-watering decider, with Josh Adams squeezing over for a try in the 78th minute which was expertly converted by replacement fly-half Gareth Anscombe from the touchline.

Read more: Wales new boy Sam Wainwright refused to go on holiday and never drank to make it in rugby

But don't let the backs take all the credit.

After coming from almost nowhere to be named in Wales' squad for the summer tour, Wainwright came on to make his Test bow in the 66th minute in place of Dillon Lewis, carrying hard and holding his own under severe pressure at the scrums against the most fearsome pack in world rugby. His proud parents Linda and Shaun were watching on from the stands.

It was Saracens prop Wainwright, who has actually never started a top-flight game of rugby, that gained a vital scrum penalty to gain Wales possession from a crucial attacking lineout for Adams to eventually cross the whitewash.

Former Wales captain Sam Warburton hailed his two "massive interventions", telling Sky Sports: "This is obviously an amazing kick to seal the deal from Gareth Anscombe, but the scrum that we showed won the penalty, from Wainwright. Wales boldly chose to go for the corner rather than go for the three. I thought it was the perfect call.

"Then they got a try, then the return scrum where Wainwright held his own again. Gareth Anscombe, amazing kick, Adams with the try, but Wainwright with two massive interventions which helped see the game for Wales. What a first cap for him."

The first ever RGC pathway player to win a full Wales cap rounded off his debut by holding the scrum steady at the death.

"What a scrum by Sam Wainwright at the end," said Adam Jones, who is widely regarded as Wales' finest tighthead prop of the professional era. He is also a player Wainwright idolised while growing up. "Fair play to him. What an ender."

Bodelwyddan native Wainwright was individually namechecked by both Wales captain Dan Biggar and head coach Wayne Pivac during their post-match press conference.

Biggar, who spoke of his pride in Anscombe for nailing the match-winning conversion after an injury-ravaged few years, said: "Sam Wainwright on debut against a front row full of World Cup winners, just exceptional from him. He deserves as much credit, him and Gareth in particular were excellent. Everyone deserves a pat on the back."

Pivac said: "To hold out that last scrum, that was a big moment for us as well and for young Sam Wainwright, on his debut, to go in and do such a good job, I’m very pleased for him."

Ampthill player Charlie Beckett, who played alongside Wainwright in the English Championship last term when the Welshman was on loan, said: "Over the moon to see Sam Wainwright do so brilliantly for Wales, brilliant bloke and brilliant player! Just another lad playing Championship last season now performing on the international stage".

Ex-Wales lock Dominic Day was succinct in his praise, perhaps perfectly summing it all up with "fair play".

Even more remarkable is the fact he has only played a grand total of 48 combined English Premiership minutes and 36 Challenge Cup minutes this season.

It seems he has plenty of Wales gametime on the horizon, that's for certain.

Read next:

Tonight's rugby news as 'desperate' Dan Biggar reveals injury latest ahead of decider

Wales v South Africa player ratings as Dan Lydiate blows everyone away and Anscombe holds nerve

The reasons Wales just pulled off heroic victory in South Africa as incredible attitude sees them through

Alun Wyn Jones left flabbergasted by shocking mistake as furious team-mates pleaded with referee

Wales v South Africa Live reaction as Gareth Anscombe lands conversion to make history

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