Wales’ 20-year-old full-back Nel Metcalfe has been one of the bright sparks in an otherwise disappointing tournament for Sean Lynn’s side, and she believes the lessons she has learned will serve her long after the tournament finishes.
“I am extremely grateful to be able to play,” Metcalfe said.
“It’s the biggest World Cup so far, so it has been an incredible experience personally.
“The games might not have gone our way but I have learned so much and just being in this environment, the media, everything about it, it’s been really good.
“There are always massive positives. We have tried to move the ball better than I think we have done in the past.
“Physicality is always something we want to improve and keep improving. It’s hard to say right now, but when we review we will be able to take some positives.”
Those positives have been hard to find on the scoreboard.
Wales opened with a heavy 38-8 defeat to Scotland before Canada ran away with things to a 42-0 victory despite Wales showing early spirit.
Over two games, Lynn’s team have leaked 10 times more points than they have scored, created few line breaks, and struggled with a malfunctioning line-out.
That has left them bottom of Pool B, with only Saturday’s meeting with Fiji to play.
While the result cannot alter their fate, it still carries weight – both as a chance to salvage pride and as a platform for the future.
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Kayleigh Powell, set for her first tournament start at full-back with Metcalfe shifted to the wing, echoed that sentiment.
“One thing that resonates with me is how do we want to be remembered as individuals and as a team?” she said.
“I think for us the main thing is being ruthless and not letting teams get away with things easy: giving easy penalties away, skill errors at crucial times.
“In our attacking 22 we need to be coming away with points more than we have been. Being clinical and ruthless is how I want to be remembered as a team.”
Wales’ coaching staff are also eager for a reaction.
Lynn, who took over last year after guiding Gloucester-Hartpury to three consecutive Premiership Women’s Rugby titles, admitted the Scotland defeat “was not good enough” but took encouragement from glimpses of progress against Canada.
Team selection has again been tweaked.
READ MORE: Wales Left With World Cup Inquest Even Before Pool Stages Are Over
Co-captains Alex Callender and Kate Williams return after injuries, while experienced hooker Carys Phillips replaces Molly Reardon to stabilise the lineout.
Georgia Evans drops into the second row, and a reshuffled bench includes Abbie Fleming, Hannah Dallavalle and Gwenllian Pyrs.
The match carries extra intrigue with Fiji led by former Wales coach Ioan Cunningham, who spent three years in charge before his departure last season.
“It’s just a game of rugby,” Powell said.
“The main focus for us is what we do on the pitch, everything off of it doesn’t really matter.”
For Wales, this first ever Test against Fiji – in front of a sell-out crowd at Sandy Park – is less about the pool table and more about character.
The Pacific Islanders have also struggled, losing heavily to Canada and Scotland, but with Cunningham at the helm they will be eager to cause an upset.
READ MORE: Wales Target Physical Edge in Crucial World Cup Clash with Canada
