World Cup over for Wales star as Gatland makes three changes
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Wales fullback Liam Williams was ruled out of the rest of the World Cup with an ankle injury on Friday, in a blow to the team ahead of Sunday’s semifinal against South Africa.
Coach Warren Gatland named the experienced Leigh Halfpenny to replace Williams for the clash in Yokohama.
“Liam Williams has been ruled out for the remainder of the Rugby World Cup following an ankle injury sustained in an accidental collision during training,” the Welsh Rugby Union said in a statement.
“His prognosis will be established in the forthcoming days. No replacement has been called up at this stage,” the statement added.
Wales have already suffered injury problems with No.8 Josh Navidi suffering a grade two hamstring tear in the gripping 20-19 quarterfinal win over France.
SQUAD UPDATE: Liam Williams has been ruled out for the remainder of #RWC2019 following an ankle injury sustained in an accidental collision during training. ⠀
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His prognosis will be established in the forthcoming days.⠀
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Diolch @SanjayWills. pic.twitter.com/TRTzISTGqc— Welsh Rugby Union 🏉 (@WelshRugbyUnion) October 25, 2019
They called up Cardiff Blues winger Owen Lane, suggesting coach Warren Gatland feels he needs more cover in the backs.
On the plus side, coach Warren Gatland welcomed back centre Jonathan Davies, who missed the scrappy quarterfinal against France with a knee injury.
Davies will resume his potent midfield partnership with New Zealand-born Hadleigh Parkes.
Scrumhalf Gareth Davies wins his 50th cap and will link up again with Dan Biggar as a halfback combination.
The Springboks have their own injury concerns in the back three, with star wing Cheslin Kolbe out of the semi-final, also with an ankle injury.
South Africa coach Rassie Erasmus has again gone for a forwards-dominated 6-2 split in the replacements, suggesting they will seek to overpower the Welsh up front.
The Springboks outmuscled Japan with a ferocious defensive display in the quarter-finals before running out 26-3 winners.
Wales had to grind out their win over France, who had to play the last half-hour with 14 men after Sebastien Vahaamahina was sent off for elbowing Welsh flanker Aaron Wainwright.
Wales: 15 Leigh Halfpenny. 14 George North, 13 Jonathan Davies 12, Hadleigh Parkes, 11 Josh Adams, 10 Dan Biggar, 9 Gareth Davies, 8 Ross Moriarty, 7 Justin Tipuric, 6 Aaron Wainwright, 5 Alun Wyn Jones, 4 Jake Ball, 3 Tomas Francis, 2 Ken Owens, 1 Wyn Jones.
Replacements: 16 Elliot Dee, 17 Rhys Carre, 18 Dillon Lewis, 19 Adam Beard, 20 Aaron Shingler, 21 Tomos Williams, 22 Rhys Patchell, 23 Owen Watkin.
Date: Sunday, October 27
Venue: International Stadium Yokohama, Yokohama City
Kick-off: 18.00 (09.00 GMT; 09.00 UK & Ireland time; 11.00 SA time)
Referee: Jérôme Garcès (France)
Assistant referees: Wayne Barnes (England), Ben O’Keeffe (New Zealand)
TMO: Ben Skeen (New Zealand)
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Captain @AlunWynJones will move to joint-second on the all-time international appearance list on Sunday, level with @sergioparisse on 142 tests (133 for Wales, plus nine @lionsofficial).
Cadw cwmni da ar y brig mae Alun Wyn 🏴 pic.twitter.com/Hm6NsvrXKn
— Welsh Rugby Union 🏉 (@WelshRugbyUnion) October 25, 2019
