Australia and Wales have vowed to release the shackles and serve up an appetising entree on Friday night ahead of a four-Test feast between arguably world rugby’s two most promising teams.
The two youngest sides in the Rugby World Cup enter the third-place playoff at Auckland’s Eden Park shattered not to be playing for the game’s greatest prize two nights later, but with plenty to prove.
The Wallabies are desperate to “right some wrongs” and showcase their attacking style after disappointing fans in kick-happy knockout displays against the Springboks and All Blacks.
Wales, too, are burning to entertain – and win – after proving the tournament surprise packets with a series of vibrant performances before suffering semi-final heartache at the hands of France.
Warren Gatland’s exciting Welsh outfit lost two matches by a point – to South Africa in the pool stages, after five-eighth James Hook had a penalty shot controversially waved away, and to the French after captain Sam Warburton was sent off in the 19th minute.
Gatland has declared his team determined to finish the tournament as No.3, giving their excited fans plenty to look forward to when they meet the Wallabies again at Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium next month.
And the Australian Rugby Union will be licking their lips at the prospect of hosting the Welsh in a three-Test home series next June.
“They’re a very good side. They’ve shown an awful lot in this tournament,” Wallabies coach Robbie Deans said.
“They’ve been unlucky obviously in terms of the way they departed the quest for the ultimate goal.
“They’re a side that has played with ambition and clearly are an emerging group.”
Teenager George North has been a revelation on the wing for Wales and promised Red Dragon fans his side wouldn’t die wondering in their bid for a consolation bronze medal.
“With the talent we have in the squad and in the team, it will be a great game to watch,” North said.
“We look on ourselves these days and we are playing with what I guess people would call no fear.
“Everyone is excited to get a chance to play against a southern hemisphere side down in New Zealand. It is a great opportunity.
“There are very similar attributes in both the teams. We enjoy to play, throw the ball around and have a crack.
“Hopefully, it won’t just be a boring 3-all game. Hopefully, it will be a good game to finish with. Have a crack and enjoy it.”
Wallabies captain James Horwill believes the return from a hamstring injury of classy fullback Kurtley Beale will give his side a vital attacking edge.
“He’s held in high regard by all the players and also he gives that second playmaker for Quade (Cooper) because he’s played a lot of 10 in his time,” Horwill said.
“He can step into that first-receiver role and help out there. He gives some good voice and obviously he’s got that x-factor that you can’t coach.
“He can create something from nothing.”
Australia: Kurtley Beale, James O’Connor, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Berrick Barnes, Digby Ioane, Quade Cooper, Will Genia, Ben McCalman, David Pocock, Scott Higginbotham, Nathan Sharpe, James Horwill (capt), Salesi Ma’afu, Tatafu Polota Nau, James Slipper. Res: Saia Faingaa, Ben Alexander, Rob Simmons, Radike Samo, Luke Burgess, Anthony Faingaa, Rob Horne
Wales: Leigh Halfpenny, George North, Jonathan Davies, Jamie Roberts, Shane Williams, James Hook, Mike Phillips, Ryan Jones, Toby Faletau, Dan Lydiate, Luke Charteris, Bradley Davies, Paul James, Huw Bennett, Gethin Jenkins (capt). Res: Lloyd Burns, Ryan Bevington, Alun Wyn Jones, Andy Powell, Lloyd Williams, Stephen Jones, Scott Williams
the_Dude
Guest
The Wallabies selection is almost what it should have been last week! Its incredible Sharpy was overlooked and Barnes didn't start! The failure of McCabe in last week's game was sad to see as Barnes came on and for the little he played, shoed immediate composure to the side. Deans really messed up the RWC selections and bench inter-play in my books and ultimately cost the Wallabies the Cup perhaps... I'd have put Horny in 13 Saia at 2 instead as he's more up for it than TPN has done all Cup! Brown on the bench instead, as Samo, for me, slept in the semis. Where's Luke Turner, hell they flew him over for no reason!? He should be on the bench at least as Faingaa went missing in the tackle in the semis (missed 6!) Go the Wallabies, bring at least the bronze back...
Patonga
Guest
Lets hope the guys put it together just for Nathan Sharpe... why he wasn't picked last week has me amazed??? But to get to a hundred tests is a great effort. Lets hope each team runs the ball should make a great contest.
Moaman
Guest
" arguably world rugby’s two most promising teams " Phew! You blokes don't waste time I'll give you that.Mourning garb in the bin...and now promoting this Wallaby unit to one of the two(arguably)"most-promising sides". Just a question for you,Mr.Walton; Most neutral observers see the Australian forward pack as being the main weakness of this team and the underlying cause behind the No-Show of the much-vaunted Genia-Cooper circus.HOW is this group of forwards so "promising"? Call me old -fashioned,but I'd be looking to address the problem areas before polishing the old trumpet again.