2003 Wales rugby union tour of Australia and New Zealand
The Wales national rugby union team toured Australia and New Zealand in June 2003, playing test matches against the Australia and New Zealand national teams as part of their preparations for the 2003 Rugby World Cup. Wales lost both test matches, first going down 30–10 to Australia in Sydney, before a 55–3 defeat to New Zealand in Hamilton.
| 2003 Wales rugby union tour of Australia and New Zealand | |||||
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| Coach(es) | Steve Hansen | ||||
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| Opponent |
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 Australia |
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 New Zealand |
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Squad edit
Wales coach Steve Hansen named an initial squad of 30 for their tour to Australia and New Zealand, as well as a pre-tour match against the Barbarians. Bath's 20-year-old back-rower Gareth Delve was a surprise selection in the original squad,[1] but he suffered a shoulder injury against the Barbarians and was replaced in the final squad by uncapped Swansea back-rower Jonathan Thomas. The other uncapped players in the final squad were Neath prop Adam Jones, Llanelli scrum-half Mike Phillips, Swansea hooker Huw Bennett and Leeds back-rower Alix Popham. Four captains were named for the tour: flankers Colin Charvis and Martyn Williams, hooker Robin McBryde and fly-half Stephen Jones.[2]
Matches edit
Wales vs Barbarians edit
Wales prepared for their tour to Australia and New Zealand with an uncapped match against the Barbarians at the Millennium Stadium on 31 May 2003. It served as a farewell match for fly-half Neil Jenkins, who was retiring from international rugby as the all-time top point scorer in test history.[3] The Barbarians scored eight tries during the match, taking a 48–28 lead into the closing stages; Jenkins, who had come on in the 66th minute, set up Tom Shanklin for his hat-trick try, before slotting the final points of the game himself.[4]
| 31 May 2003 |
Wales  | 35–48 | Barbarians |
| Try: Taylor Harris Shanklin (3) Con: S. Jones (4) Jenkins | Report | Try: Reihana (2) Magne Harding Tuilevu Galwey Garvey Robinson Con: Contepomi (4) |
| Millennium Stadium, Cardiff Attendance: 23,721 Referee: Dave Pearson (England) |
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Australia vs Wales edit
| 14 June 2003 |
| Australia | 30–10 | Wales |
| Try: Sailor (2) Latham Paul Grey Con: Roff Pen: Flatley | Report | Try: Robinson Con: S. Jones Pen: S. Jones |
| Stadium Australia, Sydney Attendance: 63,688 Referee: Mark Lawrence (South Africa) |
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New Zealand vs Wales edit
| 21 June 2003 |
| New Zealand | 55–3 | Wales |
| Try: Howlett Spencer Carter Meeuws Mealamu Umaga Rokocoko (2) Con: Carter (6) | Report | Pen: S. Jones |
| Waikato Stadium, Hamilton Attendance: 27,500 Referee: Daniel Lewis (Ireland) |
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References edit
- ^ "Delight for young Delve". BBC Sport. 7 May 2003. Retrieved 19 October 2023.
- ^ "Hansen names four captains". BBC Sport. 6 June 2003. Retrieved 19 October 2023.
- ^ "Jenkins quits international stage". BBC Sport. 11 May 2003. Retrieved 19 October 2023.
- ^ "Baa-Baas spoil Jenkins' day". BBC Sport. 31 May 2003. Retrieved 19 October 2023.
External links edit
- "Australia drop Flatley for missing training". The Guardian. 16 June 2003. Retrieved 27 May 2013.
- "Black day as Wales suffer". The Guardian. 21 June 2003. Retrieved 27 May 2013.