Here are the latest rugby evening headlines for Wednesday, July 6.
Wales fans want one change for second Springboks Test
Wales fans have had their say in our public team selection call-out and want Dewi Lake introduced to Wales' starting line-up against South Africa in the potential series equaliser on Saturday.
It is the only change they call for, with Pivac having started Ryan Elias at hooker alongside props Gareth Thomas and Dillon Lewis in the opener. The pack fronted up well, but Lake has edged the public selection following an impressive cameo off the bench to score a try in Pretoria.
Wales team the fans want: Liam Williams; Louis Rees-Zammit, George North, Nick Tompkins, Josh Adams, Dan Biggar, Kieran Hardy; Gareth Thomas, Dewi Lake, Dillon Lewis, Will Rowlands, Adam Beard, Dan Lydiate, Tommy Reffell, Taulupe Faletau.
The front-rower is urging his team to back up their first-half Test opener when they face the Springboks again on Saturday. "In the first half it just looked like we weren't going to concede a try," Lake said. "The defence stood strong, everything they threw at us, we hit backwards. There were a couple of turnovers, mistakes from them. They missed two penalties, missed a kick to the corner going dead. The way we came out in the first half really threw them off their game a bit.
"We didn't look like a side that was going to concede many tries. We stopped that maul pressure, we put pressure back on them with kicks. They were a different animal coming out in the second half and when you give away four yellow cards and 15 penalties, then it's tough to stay in the game.
"I think the penalty count was 15-7, so we're double their penalty count and, as we know, that's their in. Kick to the corner, maul, scrum penalty, penalty try. It's a good start but we just have to back up that performance now come Test two."
'Excellent' new kicking coach drafted in for Wales Women
Former England international Stephen Myler's link-up with Wales Women as their new kicking coach has been hailed as "excellent" following the backroom staff appointment.
The 37-year-old Ospreys fly-half has come on board to aid Wales' preparations ahead of their World Cup campaign kick-off in October, with their kicking proving to be their undoing during an otherwise impressive Six Nations run, which saw them finish third: their best finish since 2009.
"We’re delighted to get Stephen on board," said Wales head coach Ioan Cunningham, who has signed a new contract through to the 2025 World Cup. "I had a couple of meetings with him in the off-season just to tap into his knowledge and experience. He’s already done one session with the players. The way he delivers things is excellent and the cohesion and link he’s got with the group is brilliant."
The Premiership winner and England international, capped in 2013, previously said of his coaching ambitions: "I’m considering the coaching route. I'm hopefully going to do my badges, my level three badge, but when that is I don’t know yet."
Former Wigan and Wales forward Ben Flower has also come on board to support the contact area. " Ben Flower's did a session [on Tuesday]: understanding the ground work, getting off the floor quickly, being comfortable in contact. The players really enjoyed that, they’ve bought in, had a very good session. I’m happy to get him on board and look at different stimuluses regarding the breakdown."
Wales have awarded 17 new full-time contracts to players for the next six months, in addition to the 12 full-time deals dealt out in January. You can read the full bulletin on the latest investment in Wales Women here.
As for his former Scarlets charge, Leigh Halfpenny, Cunningham was full of praise of his work with Wales U20s, too, saying: "Leigh has been doing a tremendous job with the U20s. He’s an excellent person and a great coach."
Wales' World Cup opponents Fiji backed to be 'dark horses'
Wales' 2023 World Cup opponents Fiji are being backed to be the "dark horses" of the competition following their Pacific Nations Cup win over Tonga last weekend, which kept their new-look opponents featuring Israel Folau, Malakai Fekitoa and Charles Piutau completely scoreless.
The 36-0 result lifts the Flying Fijians to the top of the Pacific Nations Cup table heading into their second round match against Australia A in Lautoka this weekend, and some believe Fiji could be set for even greater things next year. Former All Blacks hooker James Parsons believes they could be the surprise package of next year’s tournament, citing their ability to dominate collisions alongside an expansive and attacking brand of rugby.
“I think they could be a dark horse for 2023,” Parsons, who played two tests for the All Blacks between 2014 and 2016, told the Aotearoa Rugby Pod. “Their physicality, their ability to win their own ball, get across the gain line and their offload game, as expected, but the way they’re winning collisions and allowing them to keep that ball alive, it was a great watch. [Against] a Tongan team that probably came with a lot of expectation, they did the business. It’s not just the tries, to be fair. They held them out to zero and there was a lot of attacking prowess there.”
Wales face Fiji, Australia, Georgia and another qualifier in Pool C of the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
Sam Underhill set to replace Tom Curry for England
Sam Underhill is poised to fill the void in England's back row created by Tom Curry's tour-ending concussion for Saturday's do-or-die second Test against Australia in Brisbane. Underhill was overlooked altogether for the 30-28 defeat at Optus Stadium but is winning the race to be selected at openside flanker ahead of Lewis Ludlam and Jack Willis.
The Bath back row was a star of the 2019 World Cup but since Japan he has been limited to winning only 13 caps due to concussion, Covid, illness and injury, making just one appearance in the recent Six Nations. Now he is poised to lead the defensive stand at Suncorp Stadium as England took to take the series to a decider, with Ludlam expected to continue on the bench.
"Sam's work rate on and off the ball are excellent. He's a really good defender, particularly with his chop tackles," said Australian defence coach Anthony Seibold, who joined Eddie Jones' coaching team in the autumn. "He's played at a high level. I'm thinking of New Zealand at Twickenham in 2018 and, watching his performances at the World Cup from afar, he was a standout for me."
Teenage sensation Henry Arundell is also in serious contention to replace Joe Cokanasiga on the left wing following his stunning seven-minute try-scoring cameo in the first Test. It was hoped that Jonny May would be available for the Suncorp Stadium clash but he has yet to train fully as he continues his recovery from Covid and he now faces a battle to be fit for the climax to the series in Sydney. Cokanasiga was a peripheral figure in Perth, frustrating through his failure to go hunting for the ball, but concerns over Arundell's defence at this stage of his career could spare him the axe.
Wales U20s fly-half aiming to make mark
Wales U20s and Scarlets fly-half Josh Phillips is aiming to make his mark again when he turns out against Italy in Wales' final pool-stage match of the Six Nations summer series on Wednesday (7pm kick-off).
The 20-year-old came off the bench early to steer his side home in their last outing against Georgia – backing up an impressive opening win over Scotland – and is aiming to make a similar impact against the Italians as both sides target top spot in Pool B and a play-off spot against the Pool A winners.
He said: “I wasn’t expecting an injury and to get on so early [against Georgia], but it was an opportunity to show what I can do and take charge of the team. It has been a bit frustrating not having the chance to start yet, but I have enjoyed my time here in Treviso and you can still make a big impact off the bench.”
Phillips added: “We had a great result against Scotland in the first game and we knew we had to step up again against Georgia, they are a physical team and I thought we really fronted up and matched them. A lot of people have underestimated us from the Six Nations, we have had two good wins and are looking for another big performance against Italy.”
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