Wales bank on rookie fly half Priestland

Wales have returned to what worked for them against England three weeks ago in naming their side for their Pool D opener against South Africa at Wellington Regional Stadium on Sunday.

Four-Test rookie Rhys Priestland, who started against England and kicked two penalty goals in the 19-9 victory, was selected in the key fly half position in the absence of the injured Stephen Jones.

The 24-year-old Priestland has started only twice at international level in his four Test appearances. He made his debut against Scotland earlier this year.

Experienced fly half-cum-full back James Hook will again start as No.15, as he did against England, and will be the preferred goal kicker.
Wales coach Warren Gatland said Hook was one of the team's best players and having him at full back provided additional attacking thrust.

'He has a good boot'

“We’ve been really impressed with Rhys and we felt that with that combination with James at 15, the confidence of having two attacking players at first receiver, with Rhys and James being able to do that, gives us that opportunity," Gatland said.

“There’s a lot of confidence there for a youngster," Gatland said of Priestland.

"He stays square and he has a very good balance in his game. He gives the outsides some opportunity to create a bit of space. He does run, he’s an effective runner and he has a good boot on him and he’s got the confidence, cockiness and a bit of self belief - and that’s what you look for."

The Wales side shows just three changes from the England match.

Hooker Huw Bennett and prop Adam Jones come into the front row to replace Lloyd Burns and Craig Mitchell respectively, with Burns moving to the bench.

In the backs, centre Jonathan Davies resumes his established midfield partnership with Jamie Roberts, after Gavin Henson missed the World Cup because of injury.

Wales are vastly less experienced than South Africa, with a total of 496 caps in the starting line-up compared with the defending world champions' 815.

Youngest captain

“A lot of the players are there from winning the last World Cup, so their strength is their experience and they rely on that," said Gatland.

“But we’ve got a nice mix of some talented youngsters with experience as well."

At 22, Wales' openside flanker Sam Warburton will be the youngest captain Wales have ever had and Gatland singled him out as a star in the making.

“There are three (openside flankers) that I’d consider world-class players at the moment in (David) Pocock (Australia), (Richie) McCaw (New Zealand) and (Heinrich) Brussow (South Africa) and I’d rate the guy next to me (Warburton) in that category.

"A lot of people haven’t seen a lot of Sam Warburton, but I think he’ll create an impact after a few games in this World Cup.”

Wales went for the regulation 4-3 split of forwards to backs on the bench, but Gatland said he wasn't surprised South Africa opted for a forward-heavy 5-2 split, including three front rows.

“It’s fairly obvious which way they are going to play the game," said Gatland. "They are going to take us on up front.

“They want to dominate you physically and it wasn’t a surprise to us they went for the five.”