Jodie Boyd-Ward to make history for Wales at Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup

Wales captain Jodie Boyd-Ward will become the first player in Wheelchair Rugby League history to reach 50 international caps when she leads Wales against New Zealand in the World Cup fifth-place play-off semi-final in Wollongong on Monday (00:00 GMT). The Leeds Rhinos skipper will record her 21st Wales cap in the match.

Wales arrive at the fixture after heavy defeats by England and Ireland before securing a 92-18 win against the United States, their first victory of the tournament. The Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup runs from 30 October to 13 November, and the Wales v New Zealand encounter will be the first meeting between the two nations in the wheelchair version of the sport.

Boyd-Ward’s 50 caps are made up of 21 for Wales, 22 for England and seven for Ireland. Wales head coach Alan Caron said: "Jodie reaching 50 international caps is an absolutely incredible achievement," said Wales head coach Alan Caron. "To be the first player in the world to reach that milestone in Wheelchair Rugby League, and the first female to do so, is something very special. She deserves enormous credit for everything she has contributed to the sport. "It's also particularly pleasing to have Martin and Matthew together in the side; it's great that they'll finally get the chance to play alongside each other for Wales for the first time."

Wales’ leading goal-scorer Andrew Higgins has 158 goals and will aim to add to that total in Wollongong; he and leading try-scorer Stuart Williams, who has 77 tries, will each win a 40th Wales cap if selected. Sid Ramsey and Mark Williams have been recalled to the squad following the win over the United States, which prompted changes to the matchday selection.

The match will also feature for the first time a father and son playing together for Wales at a World Cup, with Martin Turner and Matthew Turner named in the side for the clash. Wales’ selected starting group includes Sid Ramsey, Fionn McCabe, Andrew Higgins, Jodie Boyd-Ward, Stuart Williams, Matthew Turner, Mark Williams and Martin Turner.

Reserves named for the tie are Jonathan Gill and John Berriman.

Wales will meet New Zealand in the fifth-place play-off semi-final in Wollongong on Monday (00:00 GMT) with selection confirmations and final preparations expected ahead of the kick-off.