The Roar
The Roar

Advertisement

Rugby World Cup live scores, blog: Wallabies vs Wales

21st October, 2011
Teams

Wallabies

1. James Slipper
2. Tatafu Polota-Nau
3. Salesi Ma’afu
4. James Horwill (c)
5. Nathan Sharpe
6. Scott Higginbotham
7. David Pocock
8. Ben McCalman
9. Will Genia
10. Quade Cooper
11. Digby Ioane
12. Berrick Barnes
13. Adam Ashley-Cooper
14. James O’Connor
15. Kurtley Beale

Reserves

16. Saia Fainga’a
17. Ben Alexander
18. Rob Simmons
19. Radike Samo
20. Luke Burgess
21. Anthony Fainga’a
22. Rob Horne

Wales

1. Gethin Jenkins (c)
2. Huw Bennett
3. Paul James
4. Bradley Davies
5. Luke Charteris
6. Dan Lydiate
7. Toby Faletau
8. Ryan Jones
9. Mike Phillips
10. James Hook
11. Shane Williams
12. Jamie Roberts
13. Jonathan Davies
14. George North
15. Leigh Halfpenny

Reserves

16. Lloyd Burns
17. Ryan Bevington
18. Alun Wyn Jones
19. Andy Powell
20. Lloyd Williams
21. Stephen Jones
22. Scott Williams

Kick-Off: 6.30pm AEDT
Venue: Eden Park, Auckland
Referee: Wayne Barnes (England)
Betting: $2.35 Wales, $1.57 Wallabies
TV: Fox Sports 3 (LIVE), Channel Nine (LIVE, GEM)
21st October, 2011
172
6796 Reads
Wallabies' David Pocock watches as Wales' Stephen Jones is tackled against Australia. AP Photo/Tim Hales

Wallabies' David Pocock watches as Wales' Stephen Jones is tackled against Australia. AP Photo/Tim Hales

The dream of lifting the Webb Ellis Cup might be over for the Wallabies and Wales but the opportunity to finish the 2011 Rugby World Cup on a high note remains. Join us from 6.30pm AEDT for live scores and an interactive blog of the Bronze Final at Eden Park.

Both sides come into their final match of the tournament after highly contrasting semi-finals; Wales suffered a gut-wrenching defeat when they should have won, while the Wallabies were comprehensively hammered by the All Blacks.

But those games are now consigned to history, and the winner of the match tonight will be the one who can rebound from disappointment and be motivated for a relatively meaningless game.

In the greater context, it is back to the drawing board for Wallabies coach Robbie Deans after yet another resounding defeat to the All Blacks, a side who have exerted considerable dominance over the Wallabies during Deans’ reign.

In the short term however he must attempt to pick his side up off the canvas and the former Crusaders mentor has made a raft of changes from the side who took the field last Sunday.

Injuries have forced out Pat McCabe (shoulder), Sekope Kefu (eye), Dan Vickerman (shoulder, leg, nose) and Stephen Moore (sternum) while Ben Alexander, Anthony Fainga’a and Radike Samo drop to the bench, while Rocky Elsom is left out altogether.

Nathan Sharpe will become the 21st player in history to notch 100 test appearances when he starts at lock tonight, a noteworthy feat for the well-respected Western Force skipper.

Advertisement

Scott Higginbotham makes a rare start at flanker while star fullback Kurtley Beale is back from a hamstring injury, and Berrick Barnes comes in for the injured McCabe at inside centre.

The manner in which the Dragons snatched defeat from the jaws of victory against France last Saturday night will be a bitter pill to swallow for the Welsh for a long, long time.

Warren Gatland has made three changes to the side from last Saturday night, with Ryan Jones, Paul James and Bradley Davies all earning recalls to the starting XV.

Behind the All Blacks, Wales have been the most consistent team of the tournament and in all fairness should be taking their rightful place in the final on Sunday night.

But rugby can be a cruel game and instead they find themselves in the Bronze Final tonight, and it is certain that Gatland will have his side ready to perform at the level they’ve met for six weeks.

His counterpart Robbie Deans has received plenty of criticism over the past few days and a win might just blunt the sharpness of his critics, if only momentarily.

With little pressure on either side, it is hoped from a neutral perspective that both sides will be free to play expansive, running rugby, with plenty of points in an attacking display.

Advertisement

Who will step up to claim 3rd place? Can Quade Cooper finally relax and get back to his Super Rugby form? Or will his nightmare continue as a rampant Welsh avenge last week’s injustice?

Join us from 6.30pm AEDT for live scores and an interactive blog and post your comments on the Bronze Final!

close