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Wales Online
Wales Online
Sport
Katie Sands & Ben James

Leigh Halfpenny ruled out of Wales v Australia at last minute as Josh Adams starts at full-back

Wales have been forced to make a late change to their starting XV with Leigh Halfpenny ruled out at the 11th hour.

The Welsh Rugby Union say he suffered a back spasm during the warm-up.

It means Josh Adams starts at full-back and Sam Costelow is brought onto the bench to make what could be his third Wales appearance if brought on.

The autumn finale was meant to be Halfpenny's first start in a Wales shirt since the summer of 2021. He made his return to the Test stage after a long-term knee injury off the bench against Georgia last week. He had been named in the Wales matchday 23 for the curtain-raiser against New Zealand but was a late withdrawal.

Wales: Josh Adams; Alex Cuthbert, George North, Joe Hawkins, Rio Dyer; Gareth Anscombe, Tomos Williams; Gareth Thomas, Ken Owens, Dillon Lewis, Adam Beard, Alun Wyn Jones, Jac Morgan, Justin Tipuric, Taulupe Faletau.

Replacements: Ryan Elias, Rhodri Jones, Tomas Francis, Ben Carter, Josh Macleod, Kieran Hardy, Rhys Priestland, Sam Costelow.

Australia: Tom Wright; Jordan Petaia, Len Ikitau, Reece Hodge, Mark Nawaqanitawase; Ben Donaldson, Jake Gordon; James Slipper, Folau Fainga'a, Allan Alaalatao, Nick Frost, Cadeyrn Neville, Jed Holloway, Fraser McRieght, Langi Gleeson.

Replacements: Lachlan Lonergan, Tom Robertson, Sam Talakai, Ned Hanigan, Pete Samu, Tate McDermott, Noah Lolesio, Jock Campbell.

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