Wallaroos rain on Wales' parade as World Cup looms
Both sides had made personnel changes, but Wales' incomings were all seasoned internationals - the likes of Carys Phillips, Abbie Fleming and Kate Williams. This was far from a second string Wales.Reflecting on defeat, Lynn says lessons will be learned and those lessons will have to be learned quickly with what is shaping up to be a crucial Rugby World Cup opener against Scotland in just three weeks."I said to the girls at the end there that this is still another pre-season game for us," said Lynn."We enjoyed that win last week and I thought Australia's reaction to it was great. "They won the physical battle, they won the territorial battle, but also they turned pressure into points, we need to learn to be ruthless that way."We're going to review on Sunday, we'll put Australia to bed in Australia and as soon as we go back, we're back in camp."
Pre-season positives
Anyone who has met Lynn knows he is all about finding the positives and there are plenty to reflect on as he and his team make the long journey back to Wales.With World Cup selection on the line, there were a few individuals who stuck their hand up for starting jerseys, notably the youngsters.Alaw Pyrs used to be known as the not so little sister of prop Gwenllian, but the 19-year-old has catapulted herself out that shadow.At 5ft 11in her physicality was outstanding on her start in Brisbane and she made a big impact when she came on in the second half in Sydney.The same goes for front row forwards Maisie Davies and Molly Reardon who are doing more than just nipping at the heels of senior players.Nel Metcalfe did not have the best game in Sydney, but her two-try showing the week before was a timely reminder of her capabilities in the back line.
Two weeks down under has also provided time for the team to bond and the players are certainly speaking highly of the environment that has been created.It is a stark contrast to this time last year when players were embroiled in a bitter contract row with the Welsh Rugby Union, with then-captain Hannah Dallavalle admitting she came close to quitting her international career.Jasmine Joyce-Butchers, who scored on her 50th appearance on Friday, said she feels she can finally be herself."Last weekend was one of the best I've ever felt in a Welsh jersey, not just because we won, but the whole atmosphere," she said."The girls are brilliant, Lynny and the coaching staff have been outstanding. It's definitely a place now where I can be my true self and express who I am and I don't get judged for that."Even when we lose it's still a happy place to be. Yes we're hurting, yes we're gutted, but we've just got to remember that we are in such a better place than we were last year."A few eyebrows were raised when the tour was announced, with it being so far away and so close to the World Cup, but Lynn says it has definitely been worthwhile."The way we have connected as a group, players and staff, it has been so beneficial, I'm taking this trip as a real big positive for us," he said."I've learned a lot and myself and the coaching team will go away and have a think about what works well for us, what combinations are working and certain individuals have definitely been putting their hands up."
Worrying wait and final preparations
There is always the worry that players will get injured in warm-up matches before major tournaments, but it is a risk coaches have to take.Unfortunately for Wales it was their talismanic co-captain Alex Callender who went down with a foot injury after just four minutes in Sydney.She was later all smiles as she returned to the side line wearing a boot and on crutches, but let us hope that was not just the adrenalin kicking in. We should know more about her scan on Monday.The 25-year-old back-rower was a big miss in the opening three games of Wales' wooden spoon Six Nations campaign with an ankle injury, but she burst back onto the scene in Brisbane with an outstanding display.But should the worst happen and Callender not be fit for Scotland, Wales still have a safe pair of hands in co-captain Kate Williams.Speaking after the match on Friday, Williams said she was "gutted" for Callender, but Wales will take "some really good learnings" from the tour."We've definitely come closer as a group and that's going to put us in really good stead for the World Cup," Williams said. "We're playing much better rugby since we've been out here and if we can build on that going into the World Cup, I think we can really take it to Scotland."Wales are due to fly home this weekend and there will be little time for jet lag as they will be back in training on Friday. Lynn will announce his 32-strong squad the following Monday before heading up to their base in Manchester.And with Canada, the second best team in the world, expected to win Pool B, it would likely leave Wales, Scotland and Fiji battling it out for the other place to progress to the knockouts.So just like the World Cup in 2022, it is all eyes on Wales v Scotland come 23 August.
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