This is the final international Test for both nations, where a win would cap off very successful years. We could claim it to be a litmus test for the teams, but the reality is that both nations have proven themselves already this season.
Robbie Deans has achieved far more than his predecessors and no one doubts that he is making Australia a world power again: the biggest defeat inflicted on New Zealand in nine years, two wins against the World Champion Springboks, and a ten win season in sight – not achieved since the halcyon days of 1999.
Two of Australia’s losses – 39-10 to the All Blacks in Eden Park and 53-8 to the Springboks in Johannesburg – were unavoidable, with history’s two best teams playing with such fury and pride on those days.
But the other two losses to the All Blacks were games the Wallabies could and should have won.
Indeed, the ability to perform consistently over 80 minutes is one of the final strokes that Deans want wish to add to his green and gold magnum opus.
Warren Gatland, another well regarded Kiwi coach, came to Wales in crisis after losing to Fiji at the 2007 World Cup. However, under his tutelage the Welsh recorded their second Six Nations Grand Slam in four years, playing a heady mix of Waikato structure and Welsh flair.
Like the Wallabies, Wales has only lost this season to the two top teams in the world. But in all but the first test against the Springboks, the Red Dragons have not been out of place.
Welsh media believed that Wales’ first half against the All Blacks was the best 40 minutes of football that they had played in many years. Unfortunately for them, New Zealand responded with their best 40 minutes of football of the year.
The Wallabies are eyeing off a piece of history, to become the first Australian side to march through Europe unbeaten since 1996. This year has seen them overcome one of their great modern weaknesses, the ability to win away from home.
The Welsh though bring a game plan based on set piece parity, combined with intimidating smother defence and a slick intuitive attack that Australia has only faced against teams this year that they have lost to.
As impressive as the Wallabies have been in winning most of their European games, they have not wiped the floor with any of their foes. And while Italy, England and France have bought formidable forward challenges to the Australians – which they have not wilted to – Wales will bring a free flowing game that the Wallabies may struggle with.
The big weakness for Australia could be Luke Burgess, who this week has been heavily criticised. If he cannot link with Matt Giteau, who the Welsh believe – and rightly so – is the Wallabies biggest attacking threat, it could be a disappointing end to the tour.
Wales will be wise to the Wallaby challenge, with 627 international caps in their starting fifteen.
Mark Jones restoration to the starting team sees him combine with the outstanding Lee Byrne and new World player of the year Shane Williams to form such a dangerous three quarter line. It could be the winning of the game for Wales.
Wales have a poor recent record against the Wallabies, only beating them twice in 21 years. The Red Dragons will strive to return the rivalry to the early years of rugby – where Australia could only manage two victories against the Welsh between 1908 and 1975.
If Wales can pull off a big win (15+), and the All Blacks do the expected and defeat England, they will jump two places to fourth in the world, and will enjoy the privilege of heading a pool of their own at the 2011 Rugby World Cup.
stillmissit
Guest
Burgess was alone at the breakdown many times what the hell were the other forwards doing? Looking forward to a cappacino overlooking an ocean somewhere it looked like. Still he won a turnover for us which many of our forwards didnt do. He had a very gutsy game and anyone who doubts his abilty should have another look at the game in the context of our forwards going missing - again. Giteau should have made a lot more of the quick ball he was given by Burgess in the first half. Waugh, Moore and Robinson were the only forwards prepared to do the really tight stuff. Sharpe back to his 'get him out of here' best, gutless show pony in a tough game. The biggest problem was the lack of playing as a pack and then as a team. We seemed totally disorganised with Mortlock off and Cross and Cooper held the ball too long on a few occasions, trying to make the great break that wasnt on against an opposition that had real commitment at the defensive line. Aimlesss kicking again from Giteau and others and the kick chase disappeared in the 2nd half. Wales deserved winners.
mick
Guest
Wales were much more composed and deserved their win. Burgess is a good player but his confidence is appalling. He doesn't seem to think he is up to it at test level and it shows. The number of times he stuck his head into a ruck to defend when he should have been clearing the ball was concerning. I felt like he was sticking his head in the sand like an Ostrich. He needs to work very hard in the off season. Wales backline outplayed ours in almost every phase, could have had something to do with Morty's departure. Their second try was very soft. They had a full back line up aganst our 2 props and number 8. Any desent backline will open us up like that if they are faced wilth this lumbering comination in front of them. I could go on but well done to Wales. Seeing a game over their would be the Mecca for me. The signing was amazing. I'm glad the footy is almost finished for this year. We still have plenty to do but we seem to be heading in the right direction.
Mitch (in Valencia)
Guest
Well, considering we lost our captain/backline-frontfooter in the first two minutes, I think the Wallabies did well, and I think it will do wonders for Cooper's experience. In the saying that, the Welsh played well and attacked better than the Wallabies (except for the lat five minutes of the match when the Wallabies woke up and realised they were going to lose, and made two of their best breaks all match). Ioane went 100 mile an hour again, Burgess improved, Waugh took his chance and pifered some good ball but overall I think our forwards may have lacked a little agression. What does everyone think? Also, Cross has a knack for finding a gap, something which didn't really happen tonight, but he doesn't have a knack for passing the ball to the winger! Overall, dissapointing to finish the tour with a loss, but the Wallabies have made ground this year, its heartening and exciting to see, and lets hope there's a try fest on Wednesday night against one of the best Baa Baa teams I have seen in yonks.
ThelmaWrites
Guest
Oops, posts coming in thick and fast. I didn't see Colin N's and Sluggy's comments before I hit the "Add Comment" "button".
ThelmaWrites
Guest
Folks, it's 3:50 am Sunday, and Wales barely beat the Wallabies. Just so long as the Wallabies peak for the next World Cup.
Sluggy
Guest
The fact they didn't, CN augers well for an Oz team missing as starting players Smith, Palu, Horwill , Vickerman, Barnes and Tuquiri, with 2 minutes from Mortlock and none from AAC. I thought Wales played very well, Oz only played in patches and I won't mention the ref.
Colin N
Guest
Well Williams proved why he was named player of the year after today's performance, but Wales should have won by more than 3 points.
ohtani's jacket
Guest
I apologise for my comments about Wales.
Guy Smiley
Guest
OJ - Wales have no attacking instinct??! Give it a rest they're the only NH team with any genuine instincts - Byrne, Williams, and Hook all operate on looking for gaps within the structured plays and exploiting them fully when presented. The Wallabies have played pretty dreadful rugby against Italy and France but have got away with it by being smart at the right times.
Sluggy
Guest
If fit: Shepard - Tuquiri - Mortlock - Giteau /Barnes - Mitchell Giteau/Barnes can switch around, play left/right boot, whatever they like. bench from AAC (Mortlock's successor at 13 where he belongs) O'Conner/Beale/Cooper/Cross/Tahu Hynes is a bit too "Caleb Ralph'' for mine, but I'm happy to be proven wrong.
bennalong
Guest
THE REFEREE ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,ALAN LEWIS ! ! ! ! Sorry to harp, but the referee could well decide the game. And this ref has shown already he can smash the Wallabies -=====Honkers 2008 ! The Wallabies should beat Wales but I'm preparing for the worst with this guy in control. Phil Waugh will get into less trouble than George did (or would have) and will make more tackles. He pilfers almost as well but doesn't slow down opposition ball like George. Ironically that makes him safer. I'm hoping we take a leaf out of the French book and commit more players to the breakdown early in the match. This allows you to "drive over and dive over" to "seal or steal" the ball. It gives an impression of dominance and if successful could give early ascendancy Our tactic of committing minimal numbers allows opposition teams to 'set pieces' from the ruck. Our extra numbers handle this well usually, but it allows teams to control their own ball and 'settle in' early in the game. I'd like to see us rough them up a bit early ! GO THE WALLABIES ! ! ! !
Sam Taulelei
Guest
Can't see Wales beating the Wallabies. Wales haven't yet demonstrated a consistent ability to put two strong performances together back to back and I believe that their efforts against NZ last week has taken more out of them physically and emotionally than they care to admit. The Wallabies superior fitness will outlast the Welsh passion and see them finish stronger as well. I reckon the game against the Baa Baas next week will be more of a contest.
LeftArmSpinner
Roar Guru
Spiro, make that four playmakers including Burgess. lets hope that Beale has learnt his lesson and is getting the pounds off and wont make the same mistake again of not being prepared for a call up to the Wallabies. How could he allow it and how could those at Tah's have allowed it to happen????
ohtani's jacket
Guest
I'm backing the Wallabies here. I don't see any reason why they can't beat Wales. It'll take another big effort from the forward pack and they might get frustrated in the rucks, but Wales lack any kind of attacking instinct. They play for penalties and the Wallabies should be able to beat any side who does that.
PLASMODIUM
Guest
THELMA - Check Onion Sports on John Madden. I don't think he's in great health, and all that traveling isn't ideal.Troy Aikman is a fine example of an ex-player who knows what going on down on the field, tells you, then shuts up for the play-by-play. Phil Kerns, the Aussie color man, is an ex-rugby player but I'm never sure if he does know what's going on - we don't get much out of him beside bovine moans. And the English commentators only tell us what we've just seen anyway. Re. your other post, Marty Roebuck was a favorite of mine as he knew how to hit the line. It's an art and no fullback now playing has it. Rob Egerton also played pretty good FB. I doubt we'll see anybody to equal Chris Cullen in the next 5 years, and I doubt we'll ever see anybody to equal Blanco in the next 50.
ThelmaWrites
Guest
Guy Smiley, I agree the fullback must have a cracking pace. I prefer a defender fullback like Brendan Williams was, but if if the fullback is often called on to join the attacking line like Marty Roebuck used to, then one of the wings has to be a good chaser of the ball like Rob Egerton was to Marty Roebuck. Any news about Clyde Rathbone?
ThelmaWrites
Guest
Plasmodium, I've been a great fan of John Madden over the years. I watched the Colts vs the Chargers and he doesn't seem to be as lively. Hope he's well. Yes, we could do with someone like him in rugby.
Guy Smiley
Guest
Does Barnes have the pace and ability to cover line breaks as a fullback? His defence and application are superb but out in the open and exposed is a different kettle of fish. Mind you AAC is just not good enough and Mitchell is more of a winger no matter how much he protests. Would love to see Ioane get more space he can be devastating and impossible to bring to ground (although he does need to work on ball retention which should be a cinch for a wing). Giteau I don't know whether he's coming or going these days he's very hot and cold and I'm not quite sure he's the player we all saw in him 3 or 4 years back. Still a first choice though. Wales' real problem lies at fly half and their inability to choose between the stability and structure of Stephen Jones or the flair of James Hook. Personally I think they should be backing Hook in as first choice every time. Should be a great game in surely the world's best stadium, I reckon Wales by 3.
Spiro Zavos
Expert
If Quade Cooper continues to develop as a five-eighths and becomes more of thinking player rather than a Dan Cipriani or Carlos Spencer individualist, Robbie Deans could look to play Berrick Barnes at fullback where the Wallabies lack someone who can make good decisions about running the ball back or kicking. With three play makers in the backline, Cooper, Giteau in his favoured position at inside centre and Barnes at fullback, the Wallabies could pose some interesting questions to any defence, especially inside the opposition 22.
Hoy
Guest
I would say though that I can't lay the blame entirely at Burgess' feet. I don't think Gits is a great 5/8. You can see the difference immediately when Cooper comes on, in that the backline gets better ball, cleaner, neater, faster. I don't know what it is, but it is like Gits just doesn't talk to his 1/2 back. Cooper has a better long pass, runs better lines than Gits at 5/8 etc. In short, he is a 5/8 born and bred. Although he was playing 12 a bit to Beale at Schoolboys, that was out of position for him. I would have gambled at Cooper at 10 in this game as well.