Wales deliver performance of serious promise
· Yahoo Sports
Wales have set themselves a new standard after an impressive eight-try victory over South Africa in their WXV opener.
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It was a score even the most optimistic of fans could not have predicted, but the 50-19 scoreboard shone bright under Cardiff's Friday night lights.
Sean Lynn's side have been dealt their share of criticism in recent years, and understandably so with a winless World Cup and three Six Nations wooden spoons.
But they were unrecognisable in the Welsh capital as players shook off the shackles of the past and delivered a performance of real promise.
The new-look backline attacked with flair, the forwards carried with intent and so many players stood tall, all under the watchful eye of British and Irish Lions Women's coach Jo Yapp.
Old and new faces impress
Lynn had included three uncapped players in his matchday 23 and while they looked every bit at home in the international arena, it was the mainstays who most impressed.
Former Wales and Lions centre Jonathan Davies described Sisilia Tuipulotu's two-try display as world class and it would be hard to disagree.
The tighthead prop looked back to her bulldozing best, while Georgia Evans had a superb game at lock. Each would have been a worthy recipient of player of the match, but the accolade went to co-captain fantastic Alex Callender, the flanker showing what a miss she had been during the Six Nations.
Keira Bevan was a constant threat playing out of position at fly-half, while Lisa Neumann had one of her best games in a Wales shirt while filling in at full-back.
As for the newbies, Lynn said Freya Bell was "outstanding" on her first Wales start, while former Cardiff City footballer Amy Williams showed the speed and strength which makes her a hugely exciting prospect on the wing.
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Wales' new DNA
This was Lynn's third victory since taking over as Wales head coach last year and he said he could not be prouder.
"There have been some tough times, but you've got to have those adverse times," he said.
"This is just the start for us, this is going to be our new DNA.
"Those 23 players were aligned in everything, both sides of the ball, and they had that belief of how hard we worked in pre-season.
"The growth in our skill development has been the underpin of everything.
"Keira Bevan said to me, she's had 84 caps and that's the first time Wales have scored 50 points. That for me is up there."
Lynn's only disappointment was that there had not been more people in the Arm's Park to witness Wales beating the Springbok Women - a sentence you do not hear every day.
"I want more people coming next week to watch what this team is about. There is more to come," he said.
Wales co-captain Alex Callender celebrates victory with Keira Bevan [Huw Evans Picture Agency]Backing it up
Wales face USA on Saturday, 26 September, also at Cardiff Arms Park, in their second outing of the new WXV Global Series, who like South Africa are ranked above Wales.
And while Wales will enjoy their deserved celebrations, co-captain Kate Williams is already talking about the importance of backing the performance up.
"After all of the tough times we have been through, as a team and Welsh rugby generally, we are going to keep working for the positive feeling to continue," she said.
"What we want out of this WXV Series is more wins.
"Today just proved that what we've been doing works and we'll be able to change our gameplan for USA next week."
Lynn will be waiting on the fitness of scrum-half Seren Lockwood after she failed to return to the pitch after a head injury assessment, but he could be boosted by the return of Carys Cox, who gives him another exciting option in the backline.
Until then, he and Wales will enjoy victory before the work starts again on Monday.