Rugby: Wales coach Wayne Pivac picks two New Zealand born-debutants in first squad

Johnny McNicholl and Willis Halaholo
Johnny McNicholl and Willis Halaholo Photo credit: Images - Getty

New Wales coach Wayne Pivac has picked NZ-born backs Johnny McNicholl and Willis Halaholo in his first squad to face the Barbarians.

McNicoll and Halaholo, who qualified through the residency rule, are among five uncapped players in the squad for the match in Cardiff on November 30.

The 35-man group for the non-cap match includes 22 members of the Rugby World Cup squad that finished fourth in Japan earlier this month.

But captain Alun Wyn Jones was ruled out injured, while England-based players Dan Biggar and Rhys Carre were unavailable for selection, as the game falls outside the designated test window.

"It is great to get the squad announced, and get the ball rolling on our first meet-up and first fixture next week," Pivac said.

"This Barbarians game is a great chance for us, as a new squad and management, to get together and to set the scene for what we are looking to do. Having this opportunity ahead of tournament rugby in the Six Nations is ideal for us."

Wayne Pivac - new Wales coach
Wayne Pivac - new Wales coach Photo credit: Photosport

Former Scarlets boss Pivac will face a Barbarians side coached by Wales predecessor Warren Gatland, whose 12-year stint with the national team ended at the World Cup, before taking charge of the Chiefs in Super Rugby.

Wales squad:

Forwards: Elliot Dee (Dragons), Ryan Elias (Scarlets), Ken Owens (Scarlets), Rob Evans (Scarlets), Wyn Jones (Scarlets), Nicky Smith (Ospreys), Leon Brown (Dragons), Samson Lee (Scarlets), Dillon Lewis (Cardiff Blues), Jake Ball (Scarlets), Adam Beard (Ospreys), Bradley Davies (Ospreys), Seb Davies (Cardiff Blues), Taine Basham (Dragons), Ollie Griffiths (Dragons), Shane Lewis-Hughes (Cardiff Blues), Ross Moriarty (Dragons), Aaron Shingler (Scarlets), Justin Tipuric (Ospreys), Aaron Wainwright (Dragons).
Backs: Aled Davies (Ospreys), Gareth Davies (Scarlets), Tomos Williams (Cardiff Blues), Sam Davies (Dragons), Jarrod Evans (Cardiff Blues), Willis Halaholo (Cardiff Blues), Hadleigh Parkes (Scarlets), Owen Watkin (Ospreys), Owen Lane (Cardiff Blues), Josh Adams (Cardiff Blues), Steff Evans (Scarlets), Ashton Hewitt (Dragons), Johnny McNicholl (Scarlets), Hallam Amos (Cardiff Blues), Leigh Halfpenny (Scarlets).

Reuters