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Two Wales changes to face Australia at World Cup

Q: What is this sports story about?

After back-to-back heavy defeats to England and Samoa, Wales end their debut campaign against champions Australia.

Q: Who published this story?

This story was published by BBC Sport on October 30, 2026 and curated on Africa Front.

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African Football, Trade & AfCFTA, Infrastructure, African Technology

October 30, 2026

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Two Wales changes to face Australia at World Cup

Published3 hours ago

Head coach Tom Brindle has made two personnel changes to his squad for Wales' final 2026 Rugby League World Cup fixture against reigning champions Australia on Sunday, 1 November (04:40 GMT)

Wales, playing at their first World Cup, have lost both of their opening Pool A games, falling 70-6 against England and 76-0 against Samoa.

Dual-code international Ffion Lewis replaces Amberley Ruck at stand-off, with Carys Marsh moving from the interchange bench to starting hooker.

Lucia Davies could make her first appearance of the tournament from the bench, while Dani McGifford returns as the 18th player after missing out last week.

Hooker Jasmine Gibbons has been forced to miss out against top-ranked Australia after failing a head injury assessment late on in the defeat by Samoa.

While Wales have conceded 146 points across their opening two fixtures, Australia, who are bidding for a fourth straight World Cup title, have conceded none.

They kept England and Samoa at bay, both of whom scored at least 13 tries against Wales, while scoring 118 points of their own.

The Jillaroos have lost one international since 2016, while Wales only played their first official international in 2021, with this being only their 16th fixture.

Wales team to face Australia

Starting line-up: Leanne Burnell,⁠ ⁠⁠Zoe Heeley,⁠ ⁠⁠Jade Mullen, Hannah Bluck, Siân Williams, Ffion Lewis, Tayla Preston, ⁠⁠Agnes Wood, ⁠⁠Carys Marsh, Emily Hughes, Georgia Cussons, ⁠⁠Paige Travis, Bethan Dainton (capt).

Interchanges: Kathryn Salter, Erin Williams, ⁠⁠Gracie Hobbs, ⁠⁠Lucia Davies.

18th player: ⁠⁠Dani McGifford.

Reserves: Amberley Ruck, Frances Layton, ⁠⁠Hollie Brussels, ⁠⁠Katie Carr.

Rugby League World Cup

15 October - 15 November

Australia, Papua New Guinea, New Zealand

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