WXV1: Wales make six changes for final match against Australia

Lleucu George and Bethan Lewis in training — Wales are looking for their first win in WXV

Venue: Go Media Mount Smart Stadium, Auckland Date: Friday, 3 November Kick-off: 06:00 GMT
Coverage: Live on S4C, commentary on BBC Radio Wales Extra, BBC Sounds and BBC Sport website, plus live text updates and match report on BBC Sport website and app.

Wales have made six starting changes as they look to finish their first WXV campaign on a high against Australia in Auckland.

Lisa Neumann and Carys Cox are named on the wings with double Olympian Jasmine Joyce switching to full-back.

Carys Phillips, Sisilia Tuipulotu, Georgia Evans and Bethan Lewis all return to the pack.

Wales are currently bottom of the tier one table after heavy defeats to Canada and New Zealand.

Ioan Cunningham’s side will be targeting Australia who are just one place above them in the world rankings in fifth, but it will be no easy feat as the Wallaroos showed their class last weekend with victory over France, who themselves beat New Zealand in the opening round.

England are the only unbeaten team in WXV1 so far and will be going for the title when they take on the Black Ferns on Saturday. Should they win, it would mark a clean sweep for northern hemisphere teams in the inaugural year of the competition, with Scotland winning WXV2 and Ireland WXV3.

Wales have never beaten Australia – they came close in the pool stage of last year’s Rugby World Cup, losing 13-7.

Cunningham largely reverts back to the starting XV which put in a good first half performance against Canada, with the same back line, front row and second row.

Hannah Bluck (centre), Lleucu George (fly-half) and Kate Williams (flanker) keep their places after the New Zealand defeat.

Tight-head prop Donna Rose is unavailable for selection after suffering a head injury last weekend, with the experienced Cerys Hale set to make her first WXV appearance from the bench.

“We have made changes and rotated the squad for our third Test match in three weeks and the aim is to build our strength in depth at international level,” Cunningham said.

“This the first fully professional squad to leave Wales and it has proved a real learning curve for the players, coaches and staff.

“The focus has been very much on what we do, and we have selected to meet the challenge of Australia, with an experienced bench designed to make a real impact.

“We know where we must improve and what our strengths are and to play this level of opposition will only be good for us in the long term. It has been a demanding tour, but the squad are now fully focused on Australia.”

Line ups

Australia: Faitala Moleka; Maya Stewart, Georgina Friedrichs, Arabella McKenzie, Ivania Wong; Carys Dallinger, Layne Morgan; Brianna Hoy, Tania Naden, Eva Karpani, Sera Naiqama, Michaela Leonard (capt), Siokapesi Palu, Emily Chancellor, Kaitlan Leaney.

Replacements: Adiana Talakai, Bree-Anna Cheatham, Bride O’Gorman, Atasi Lafai, Ashley Marsters, Jay Huriwai, Cecilia Smith, Lor Cramer.

Wales: Jasmine Joyce; Lisa Neumann, Hannah Jones (capt), Hannah Bluck, Carys Cox; Lleucu George, Keira Bevan; Gwenllian Pyrs, Carys Phillips, Sisilia Tuipolotu, Abbie Fleming, Georgia Evans, Kate Williams, Alex Callender, Bethan Lewis.

Replacements: Kelsey Jones, Abbey Constable, Cerys Hale, Alisha Butchers, Sioned Harries, Meg Davies, Robyn Wilkins, Kerin Lake.