Halfpenny prepares to bow out against Baabaas
CARDIFF, WALES - NOVEMBER 30: Tyler Ardron of the Barbarians gathers the ball after chipping over Leigh Halfpenny of Wales during the international friendly match between Wales and the Barbarians at the Principality Stadium on November 30, 2019 in Cardiff, Wales. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images for Barbarians)
Leigh Halfpenny is set to make his final appearance for Wales, as Warren Gatland‘s men prepare to take on a Barbarians side led by former Wales captain Alun Wyn Jones at the Principality Stadium.
Halfpenny, with 101 caps to his name, is poised for a move to the Southern Hemisphere where he is expected to join the reigning Super Rugby champions The Crusaders.
23-year-old Jac Morgan captains a Wales side that features 12 World Cup squad members and four survivors from the quarter-final defeat to Argentina: flanker Morgan, centre George North, lock Adam Beard, and number eight Aaron Wainwright.
Dragons tight-head prop Lloyd Fairbrother, 31, makes his first appearance for Wales alongside Dewi Lake and Corey Domachowski in the front row, while Scarlets tighthead Harri O’Connor is on the bench and could make his first Wales appearance.
Adam Beard and Ben Carter pack down in the second-row, with blindside flanker Dan Lydiate and number eight Aaron Wainwright joining captain Morgan in the back row.
Scrum half Tomos Williams partners fly half Sam Costelow, while Johnny Williams starts alongside George North in the midfield, the exciting Rio Dyer and Tom Rogers start on the wings with Halfpenny at full-back.
The match is organised as a tribute to Alun Wyn Jones, who made 158 caps for Wales and 12 for the British & Irish Lions before his international retirement in May.
The 38-year-old will lead a Barbarians XV that includes former Wales captain Justin Tipuric, who also retired from international rugby before the World Cup.
The team is coached by incoming All Blacks coach Scott Robertson alongside Eddie Jones, who announced his resignation as Australia coach only days ago.
Former Wales internationals Mark Jones and Jamie Roberts, along with former England international Will Greenwood, are serving as assistant coaches.
Former Australia captain Michael Hooper, controversially omitted from the Wallabies’ World Cup squad by Eddie Jones, starts at flanker for the Barbarians.
He is joined in the back row by Rob Valetini and Tipuric. Rob Leota partners Wyn Jones in the second row, while Joe Moody, Tevita Ikanivere, and Taniela Tupou pack down in the front row.
Scrum half Simione Kuruvoli partners fly half Nicolas Sanchez, Izaia Perese and Len Ikitau start in the centres, while Ilasia Droasese, Shaun Stevenson, and Selestino Ravutamada complete the back three.
Welsh boss Warren Gatland said: “Playing a Barbarians side filled with quality players is a good challenge for this group and a chance for players to put their hands up and show what they are about.
“It’ll be the last game in a Wales jersey for Leigh Halfpenny but also a chance for fans to see and celebrate Alun Wyn Jones and Justin Tipuric playing international rugby one last time.
“We’re looking forward to getting back out in front of a home crowd on Saturday.”
Alan Wyn Jones said, “ Everyone is here just to play really. We still have got to defend and have a bit of structure and all that sort of thing.
“But to be able to pull a (Barbarians) jersey on (is special).”
Written by Matthew Luddington
WALES: Leigh Halfpenny, Tom Rogers, George North, Johnny Williams, Rio Dyer, Sam Costelow, Tomos Williams; Corey Domachowski, Dewi Lake, Lloyd Fairbrother, Ben Carter, Adam Beard, Dan Lydiate, Jac Morgan (capt), Aaron Wainwright
Replacements: Elliot Dee, Nicky Smith, Harri O’Connor, Teddy Williams, Taine Plumtree, Kieran Hardy, Cai Evans, Mason Grady.
BARBARIANS: Ilasia Droasese (Fiji), Shaun Stevenson (New Zealand), Len Ikitau (Australia), Izaia Perese (Australia), Selestino Ravutaumada (Fiji), Nicolas Sanchez (Argentina), Simione Kuruvoli (Fiji); Joe Moody (New Zealand), Tevita Ikanivere (Fiji), Taniela Tupou (Australia), Rob Leota (Australia), Alun Wyn Jones (Wales, capt), Justin Tipuric (Wales), Michael Hooper (Australia), Rob Valetini (Australia)
Replacements: Angus Bell (Australia), Asafo Aumua (New Zealand), Peni Ravai (Fiji), Api Ratuniyarawa (Fiji), Tom Hooper (Australia), Lautaro Bazan Velez (Argentina), Ben Donaldson (Australia), Andrew Kellaway (Australia)
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