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Wales second-row Cory Hill has said he regrets an incident that occurred three years ago and has publicly apologised for it as he prepares to captain his country.
The 32-year-old, who will lead Wales out against Queensland Reds on Friday, was named among a group of people who damaged a woman’s home in May 2021.
Hill was not charged by police and apologized at the time through a representative for the incident.
His replacement appearance in the first Test against Australia on July 6 ended more than three years out of international rugby and he has now been chosen to captain his country by Wales head coach Warren Gatland.
“That incident happened three years ago. Do I regret it? Yes, of course I do,” Hill told a news conference in Brisbane.
“I made a mistake and I regret it. There will always be a negative reaction to mistakes that someone has made in the past.
“I have been honest and open here. The matter was addressed by the club and the authorities three years ago. It was a mistake. I hold my hand up and regret what happened.”
Gatland added: “We had a chat about what happened in the past and we spoke honestly about it.
“Cory told me that he made a mistake three years ago and that he regrets what happened. Young people make mistakes.
“For me, it’s about putting that aside and picking someone with that experience and knowledge of rugby who has that respect from the rest of the players in the team.
“I have been clear that people make mistakes in life and take some decisions or actions that they wish did not occur.
“We sat down and had an honest conversation about some things. Cory was very open with me about it. I’m not looking back, but looking forward.”
Hill will captain a side that sees Regan Grace start for Wales in just his third rugby union match, having been selected among 10 changes following a second of two Test losses to the Wallabies.
Grace, who scored 89 tries for St Helens during a rugby league career that saw him feature in three Grand Final-winning sides, is under contract with Bath until the end of next season.
He switched codes in 2022 but ruptured his Achilles tendon before joining French Top 14 club Racing 92 and did not play for them at all after suffering a relapse of the injury six months later.
Grace then joined Bath to continue his rehabilitation and played in friendlies earlier this year against Leinster and Gloucester as he returned to full fitness.
He was called up to the Wales training squad just before they left for Australia and now has the chance to impress as Gatland’s players aim for their first win since beating the Barbarians in early November.
“We said we want the players who have come here on tour to be involved, either as starters or in the group of 23 (on match day),” Gatland said.
“That was always the plan. Unfortunately, some players were unable to play due to injuries, but this game against the Queensland Reds gives a lot of others the opportunity to go out and have a good game.
“I’m pleased with the growth we’ve seen in the team over the last three or four weeks, and that growth will continue.”
Only five players (Cameron Winnett, Rio Dyer, Archie Griffin, Christ Tshiunza and Taine Plumtree) remain from the team that started Saturday’s 36-28 loss in the second test in Melbourne.
Tshiunza moves from second row to blindside flanker, while Plumtree wears the number seven jersey. It will be Plumtree’s third start in three different positions on tour.
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