How rare it is that an international match that will decide so much has a festive vibe surrounding it rather than the nerves of anticipation we usually feel.
Both Australia and Wales have already booked their place in the World Cup quarter-finals, so we can expect a more open game than we would traditionally see from a match such an important match.
The winner will face an easier assignment in the quarters – most likely Scotland but possibly Japan – while the loser will take on an ominously improving South Africa.
This alone should be enough motivation for both sides to do their best.
Strangely, I expect this to be a classic match of open rugby. Freed from the pressures of ‘the group of death’, knowing England are already gone, we are going to see a full-speed, juggernaut of a game.
Both teams have a solid scrum and there may be a stalemate in this area, with the Wallabies slightly stronger.
The breakdown is going to be a fierce contest. Australia are again starting with two breakdown specialists, with player of the tournament so far, David Pocock, joined by a kid with super potential in Sean McMahon.
Unlike England, Wales have countered this threat with captain Sam Warburton joined by Justin Tipuric. Expect to see a lot of turnover ball if either team is slow to support.
The threat of the breakdown will see both teams wanting to move the ball at a fast pace to give their backlines a crack at each other without disruption. Expect first-phase crash balls from Tevita Kuridrani and Jamie Roberts, followed by angled runs from the outside backs to open up the match. This will continue until both team tire in the second half, and the team that best utilises their reserves will likely run out the winner.
To that end, Australia will be better served by their bench. The Welsh are down a few class players, while the Wallabies’ subs have been a strong aspect of their game.
Wales are coming at Australia with a strong and powerful backline, and with Gareth Anscombe gaining his first cap they have a very dangerous fullback.
The Wallabies’ outside backs looked stretched last weekend, as England threw the pill from side to side. There were plenty of opportunities for the English to score if they had the manpower to capitalise; they didn’t, but Wales do.
Sit back and enjoy, this is going to be huge.
Not Bothered
Guest
I dont agree that Wales are weaker in the backs. Imo losing halfpenny is a blessing, it allows them to use a much needed playmaker at 15. Davies hadnt been in fatastic form and, although Webb is a loss, his replacements have been outstanding. I think Wales has a backline as good as Australias and will actually win this game. Wales 32 Aus 23
Dublin Dave
Guest
Brittany does indeed have its own indigenous Celtic language (very similar to Welsh, I believe) but the region is a tiny proportion of France located in the north west and rugby is no part of its culture. French rugby's heartland is in the south west where there are two indigenous ethnic minorities who do contribute greatly to rugby, namely the Basques (Biarritz, Bayonne, Pau inter alia) and the Catalans, centred around Perpingan. I doubt the Bretona know the Rugby world cup is on.
Vic
Guest
Go the Wobs!
tvwatcherIntheweehours
Guest
Yes and since France Brittany is celtic, that could be the one to go for a 2011 final replay... The revenge. I don't know whether it is a joke.
mcxd
Guest
Now Genia, do not under any circumstance box kick. And Phipps, see the guys in a gold (looks slightly like yellow) Jersey yep them, pass it to them.
Bakkies
Guest
Wales can't go too hard too early like in recent tests. The Wallabies suck them in the 55 to 70 minute period then have to play catchup which affects their decision making in the last 10 minutes. This has been their Achilles heel against these teams. Against Six Nations teams it's the period where they start to ramp up their intensity.
Bakkies
Guest
You would think this is a game that Cooper should play in even off the bench. He usually plays well against Wales
Bakkies
Guest
This is a massive game for McMahon and Cheika to justify his selection. Not featuring all year until the US match and RWC and his stand out performances at test level have been against tier two and three sides they both have to prove a point this afternoon. Faletau is big but he is not the size of Morgan, Vermeulen, Picamoles, etc. Warburton and Tipuric are about the same size as McMahon. Last time those two boys started together for Wales they destroyed England. I know Gatland has a lot of time for Lydiate but he is limited compared to Tipuric. Lydiate has a high tackle but so does Tipuric, he made 15 plus tackles in each of his full matches in the warm ups. Tipuric is easily the form flanker in the UK at the moment and should be starting for Wales. He has the ball running ability of Hooper and McMahon running it with both hands fixing defenders but is a constant threat at the breakdown stealing or slowing down ball, very hard to shift.
Harry Jones
Expert
Looking for defensive lapses, goal kicking, and timing of turnovers to decide this. North at 13, Anscombe at 15, Cuthbert on the wing...fragile.
Worlds Biggest
Guest
Thanks for the article Mark, I'm very intrigued to see how the Wallas come out tonight. Traditionally they have not backed up after a very good performance. if they are to win, they have to play very well against a quality Welsh team.
Dublin Dave
Guest
This match could be the key to a first ever appearance in a final by one of the Celtic nations. Should Wales win, they will almost certainly face Scotland in the quarter final. Tomorrow, in Group D, Ireland face France. Should Ireland win, not admittedly a given, they will play Argentina in the quarter final. Now this is one of the great World Cup rivalries, if perhaps slightly lower down the bill than say New Zealand France or Australia England. Ireland and Argentina have faced each other three times so far in World Cup lose-and-you're-out contests. At present, Argentina lead the head to head by two wins to one. Should Ireland level the series by winning that one, and given my earlier premises, it would guarantee a Celtic nation in the final. Interesting.
Pete
Guest
Wobblies 19 - Wales 23
It could also go pearshaped for the Wallabies. The match against England the Aussie pack put everything in, can they keep that level again and again?
Tycoch22
Guest
Wales to win by 10. Genia gets substituted and Phipps keeps passing to red shirted players
riddler
Guest
charteris also with the lineouts.. gatland has selected very wisely for this particular test..
AC
Guest
And there I was, eerily calm all week and keeping it together - a rarity for me. This article just lit a firecracker under me with kick off looming. I'm now officially shi#*ing myself. Cheers Mark !
RubberLegs
Guest
Can Bernard play well two weeks in a row? I fkn hope so. QC can penetrate any defensive line and throw accurate passes; Bernard's skills are less impressive but his position is safe no matter what he does because of his orthodox tackling technique and newfound goal- kicking brilliance.
henry
Guest
yes one game of good scrums cannot ease the nerves of the last decade
PeterK
Roar Guru
perhaps. No doubt the wallaby bench is stronger. However the welsh team barring the props are very fit and would last the distance. If the players are performing then they will not be subbed. When the bench props come on then I see a scrum advantage, but how many scrums will we have in the last 20 mins.
Dat Mavis
Roar Pro
Not sure that Beale and Quade's friendship has a bearing on their defence. Regardless, although Beale and Foley both missed tackles on Watson it was misreads by Kurindrani and Folau inside them that put them in that position...