Hibbard tips Wales to bounce back

British & Irish Lions hooker Richard Hibbard says Wales will give it everything to level the Test series against South Africa on Saturday. [more]

Hibbard tips Wales to bounce back

British & Irish Lions hooker Richard Hibbard says Wales will give it everything to level the Test series against South Africa on Saturday.

Hibbard played in every Lions Test against Australia last summer but the 30-year-old is currently recovering from shoulder surgery and has been forced to miss the tour against the Springboks.

Nevertheless, Hibbard saw enough positives in Wales’ 38-16 defeat in the first Test to predict an improved performance in Nelspruit.

“It’s the final match of the season and the boys will give it everything,” Hibbard told Wales Online. “I believe they will be massively competitive and I don’t see any reason why we can’t turn the tables on the Boks and win for the first time against them in South Africa.

“I’m not looking to make excuses but Wales probably needed that first Test run-out with most of the squad not having played much rugby in recent weeks.

“It doesn’t help when nearly everything the Springboks attempted and virtually every bounce of the ball went their way.

“Anything that could go wrong for Wales did. South Africa had clearly done their home-work and put in those little chips over the top of our rush defence. They came off for them but could have quite easily gone the other way.”

 

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