Tears of joy as Lynn urges Wales to ‘believe’

Summer women’s television series starring Australia and Wales

Location: North Sydney Oval On Friday, August 1 Kick-off: 10:00 BST

“Remember it, remember this one.”

Head coach Sean Lynn recited those words to Wales’ battered players after Saturday’s heroic 21-12 victory over Australia in Brisbane.

He said, “You’ve just taken a scalp and entered the Aussies’ backyard.”

“Believe in this, believe in this journey we’re on, it’s going to be good,” he said.

The proud Welshman won his first game since taking over in March, and it was obvious that he had overcome emotion.

How significant victory was it when Lynn and captain Alex Callender both arrived at the press conference with tears still in their eyes.

It was a significant milestone in Wales’ professional career after what had been a disastrous couple of years, though it wasn’t the World Cup final.

The 2025 World Cup, which begins in England in just four weeks, was marked by the performance, which was even more important.

After losing all five of their Six Nations games for the first time in their history, Lynn and the players had a point to prove during the build-up in Brisbane.

And they did, without a doubt.

Let’s get to the point where Callender was chosen to serve as a co-captain. She was simply outstanding.

The 24-year-old showed maturity beyond her years while leading from the front with a dynamic defensive display when she was playing in unfamiliar territory at the age of eight.

When Australia started the second half strong, her try-saving turnover served as the epitome of her effort.

Callender remarked, “I’m so proud of the girls.

One to 23 people sat up today after we had spoken extensively about physicality. We wanted this statement and a platform that we can enjoy.

Her predecessor, Hannah Dallavalle (nee Jones), deserves praise, too. Lynn stripped her of the captaincy in an effort to encourage the form he believed she could achieve while they were together at Gloucester-Hartpury.

After pouncing on a perfectly weighted kick from Lleucu George, whose kicking style proved invaluable in challenging circumstances, Dallavalle scored the decisive try.

Let’s talk about the young people, which is perhaps the most positive aspect of Wales’ victory.

Six of the matchday squad members were under the age of 21, which indicates that they will likely be at their best when the World Cup of 2029 is held.

Nel Metcalfe, 20, earned the honor of player of the match with her two-try full-back heroics, while lock Alaw Pyrs, 19, put in a grueling tackle after tackle, earning her best win overall.

While Tilly Vucaj, Katherine Baverstock, and Seren Lockwood all made an impact on debut from the bench, Maisie Davies, who has a baby-faced face, continues to look as though she is an international prop.

Sisilia Tuipulotu, who had been sidelined for the Six Nations, was also a welcome sight from the bench. Although she may have been around for a few seasons, the strong tight-heart is only 21 years old.

The “old guard,” Bethan Lewis, 26, worked incredibly hard alongside Callender in the back row, but we must not forget that.

When Lewis was questioned about what it meant for Lynn, her former coach at Gloucester, to win the first game, Lewis held back her tears.

She said, “I’m emotional.” He is a talented individual, and to be able to put that performance on for him, I know how much he cares and shows us, and to be able to do that and hopefully improve in the future, means the world.

After capturing her 50th cap, Kelsey Jones, who is constantly smiling, beamed with pride.

Of course, we must avoid getting carried away while rolling down Proud Mary’s River.

You only need to think about the September 2014 clash between Wales and Australia at Rodney Parade before being hammered by the same opposition at WXV2 a week later.

If Wales are to be considered a contender for World Cup Pool B, which also includes Canada, Scotland, and Fiji, they will need to show how they did when they face Australia again on Friday under the lights in Sydney.

Important captain Siokapesi Palu was the only person who missed out on Saturday, but Wales also has the likes of Gwenllian Pyrs, Carys Phillips, Abbie Fleming, and co-captain Kate Williams.

We know we have work on Monday ready for a six-day turnaround, but “we are going to enjoy it [victory],” said Lynn.

We still have a lot to work on, even though the team and the girls delivered what I wanted, according to the statement.