These are some of the stories making the rugby news on Tuesday, 12 July.
New star opens up on Wales dream
Sam Wainwright has opened up on fulfilling his boyhood dream of playing for Wales and doing it in front of his loved ones.
The Saracens prop came on as a final quarter replacement against South Africa in Bloemfontein on Saturday to win his first cap and play his part in a historic triumph. It was a rock solid cameo that saw him earn rave reviews from the likes of Sam Warburton, Adam Jones, Dan Biggar and prop legend Graham Price.
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After the final whistle, he went over to embrace his fiancée and family who had made the trip over to be there for his big day.
“It’s absolutely unbelievable. It was a massive occasion for me and my family. Everyone has put so much into it. It’s been a team effort throughout the years and I couldn’t have done it without them. I finished the game and ran straight over to them and gave them a massive hug and kiss,” said the 24-year-old.
“It’s huge because they have all put so much into me. My fiancée has been unbelievable. She has been behind my back since day one with everything with me. I am very grateful to have a very good family behind me.”
The Bodelwyddan-born tighthead continued: “It was an unbelievable occasion. To beat the world champions on debut is something else. It’s a dream come true. It’s massive for myself and especially being from north Wales as well. It’s big for back home. Everyone in north Wales has been behind me and I’m very grateful for all the support I have had.
“To get a first cap is just a boy’s dream. It’s been my dream since I was 12 years old. So to get on the field, but then let alone beat the world champions, it’s something else. I just can’t describe it.
“It’s a great group of lads. Everyone has been very good with me. I am very grateful to be part of this group. Like I said, it’s a dream come true and I’m buzzing and over the moon.”
Springboks ready to name strong team for final Test
South Africa assistant coach Deon Davids says the world champions will name the "best team" for their final Test with Wales.
With the series tied at 1-1 following Wales' dramatic 13-12 victory in Bloemfontein, this weekend's Test in Cape Town is a must-win for either side. And having made a raft of changes for the second Test, the Springboks are expected to revert to full-strength when they name their team today.
“It is always awful to lose a match in the Springbok jersey,” Davids said this week. “This Saturday is a final for us, and we will select the best team that can achieve the results we would like this weekend.
“We made a number of changes last week to expose players to the demands of Test rugby, and we believe we got a lot of answers and learned several lessons.
“We know where we are now and which players can play at this level.
“There are small margins and not a lot of opportunities in the opposition’s 22 in Test rugby, so decision-making in that area will be crucial and we have to make the most of the opportunities we create.
“ Wales are prepared to go to dark places to challenge you, and they present a massive challenge in stopping mauls and getting stuck into scrums.
“So, we will have to impose ourselves for the full 80 minutes.”
Wales U20s name team for Junior Springboks
Wales have announced their squad for tonight's final of the U20 Six Nations Summer Series against South Africa in Treviso’s Stadio Monigo (Kick-off 8pm UK time).
Byron Hayward makes just one change to the XV that defeated Italy last time out, with Exeter hooker Oli Burrows getting the nod over Cardiff's Efan Daniel. On the bench, Ealing Trailfinders hooker Morgan Veness have his first involvement in the tournament, with Harlequins’ Bryn Bradley dropping out of the match day squad
“The boys did a job against Italy and all credit to the boys who took to the field,” said Wales U20 head coach Hayward.
“They had to overcome a lot of adversity because of the yellow cards – we played 30 minutes with 14 men as well and that was no easy task against a very good Italian side. Efan picked up a knock against Italy at the end of the first half which he has been carrying since so we’ve decided to err on the side of caution and start with Oli and we’ll also carry Morgan Veness on the bench as well.
“It’s always difficult for the boys who don’t make the match day 23 or 26 in our case. They can get demotivated and a bit home sick because they are not involved but he has been a 100 per cent team member and an integral part of our success here and he deserves his opportunity.
“If you look at the three games we have played so far we have probably shown a little bit of everything. Scotland was obviously a very good performance played at a high tempo speed and we scored some really nice tries. Then we were forced to dig deep against Georgia and went to a place we have never been before because they were so physical.
“And then against Italy there was a combination as they are a very physical team, but they can play as well.
"South Africa are obviously a very good side as they have beaten three high quality teams to make the final. They are very athletic, physical and possess pace and power, but we have the same. We are not fearing South Africa at all. Our boys are really looking forward to it as we don’t often get the chance to play this opposition.
“I don’t think Wales have been in a final since 2013 so this is a privileged position to be in. It’s important they enjoy the occasion and give 100 per cent and what will be will be.”
Wales U20s v South Africa at Stadio Monigo, Tuesday 12 July (KO 8pm UK)
Wales U20s: Cameron Winnett (Cardiff Rugby); Oli Andrew (Dragons RFC), Mason Grady (Cardiff Rugby), Joe Hawkins (Ospreys – Capt), Harri Houston (Ospreys); Dan Edwards (Ospreys), Morgan Lloyd (Dragons RFC); Rhys Barratt (Cardiff Rugby), Oli Burrows (Exeter Chiefs), Nathan Evans (Dragons RFC), Christ Tshiunza (Exeter Chiefs), Dafydd Jenkins (Exeter Chiefs), Ben Williams (Aberavon), Ethan Fackrell (Cardiff Rugby), Ryan Woodman (Dragons RFC)
Replacements: Efan Daniel (Cardiff Rugby), Cameron Jones (Ospreys), Adam Williams (Cardiff Rugby), Mackenzie Martin (Cardiff Rugby), Morgan Morse (Ospreys), Luke Davies (Llanelli), Josh Phillips (Scarlets), Joe Westwood (Dragons RFC), Iestyn Hopkins (Ospreys), Caleb Salmon (Scarlets), Morgan Veness (Ealing Trailfinders)
Former All Black warns Ireland to be careful what they ask for
Former All Black Jeff Wilson has said that New Zealand's defeat to Ireland wasn't a "fair fight" and warned the Irish to be "very, very careful" what they ask for.
Ireland levelled the series with a first victory over the All Blacks in New Zealand on the weekend, setting up a dramatic final Test. However, with the All Blacks having had a red and yellow card throughout the 80 minutes, clearly some in New Zealand believe the All Blacks' chances of victory were hampered.
On the latest episode of The Breakdown , former New Zealand star Wilson said: "Clearly, it wasn't a great game. It clearly was not a great game!
"Bottom line, one team had to play with 14 men, then [for 10 minutes], 13 men. Credit where it is due. You knew the dangers of this Ireland team, coming to our shores. And now we have one of the great Test weeks to look forward to."
"The context of the game changed when Angus Ta'avao was red-carded. So, you can't say that it was a fair fight."
"You got the sense from Johnny Sexton that the job's not done yet. The real history is winning the series."
"When it was 15 on 15, the week before, we only needed 15 minutes to take the game away from them. So, be very, very careful what you ask for!"
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