The Welsh fans were in a similar situation to the Wallabies – they could only guess who wass going to start the Cardiff Test on Saturday. No more – the probables have been listed.
Warren Gatland, who knows the value of penalty points, is apparently going with Leigh Halfpenny at fullback, with the dangerous Liam Williams slated to appear on the right wing. Top try-scorer Steff Evans gets the nod on the other edge.
Jonathan Davies was always a lock to play at 13 but the 12 jersey, a bone of contention, looks to be going to Owen Williams. Dan Biggar slots in at 10 and Gareth Davies at 9 – that’s a fast and clever back line.
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The forwards have a mean and hungry look, with Rob Evans, Ken Owens and Tomas Francis in the front row, while Jake Ball and Alun Wyn Jones are in the engine room – the front five’s built around power.
Josh Navidi, a real flyer, is at openside flanker, Aaron Shingler, a great lineout option, takes the blindside spot, and Taulupe Faletau, one of the best eights in the business, anchors the scrum.
Wales have played only two Tests this year, both in June. They beat Tonga 24-6 in the rain in Auckland, and Samoa by just two points in Samoa. But the tourists were missing 12 of their best, who were on duty with the Lions. And in the Samoa game, most of the Welsh had some kind of stomach bug. So Saturday will be a whole new ball game, with very close to their strongest team – although George North and Sam Warburton are major losses.
If we knew who was going to play where for the Wallabies, we could make some direct comparisons. But one comparison’s easy – the Wallabies have played several Tests recently and Wales haven’t. So the home side have to click from the get-go.
R2D2
Guest
Cheika got a win against the ABs this year, Gatland got one too. This test will show to some degree ,who is the better coach. If Wales get the win, and you know whats coming, then Cheika is a slow learner because Wales is not the Lions. The Wallabies need to win and well, otherwise the English test could be a disaster in waiting.
Neil Back
Roar Rookie
Sorry Peter but that again appears a little one-eyed of you. There are two true quality players in that list with Folau and Pocock. The Welsh have four 2017 Lions missing in North, Moriarty, Warburton, and Tipuric. They are even considering picking an openside who is a third choice pick at his club.
HiKa
Roar Rookie
What are the chances you would rate him ahead of Banks for 14/15 in, say, twelve months time? DHP's path back to the WBs is a difficult one.
Cuw
Guest
look on the bright side. Sam Cross is a wonderful flank from the 7s team. i mean one of the very few who could break into the GB 7S team at Olympics. think of him like another Kwagga Smith :) but i think the most likely 3rd row will be Shingler , Navidi and Faletau . maybe they will put Cross on the bench.
PeterK
Roar Guru
DHP would be on the bench, one of only 2 fb/wing hybrids with Hodge.
HiKa
Roar Rookie
Peter, I'm surprised by you listing DHP as a missing "best team" player. I think he will struggle to regain a spot in the Wallabies behind Folou continuing at full-back; Koroibete and Naivalu as speed merchant wingers (who make their tackles); and Hodge, Beale and Hunt swapping around between wing, mid-field and full-back. I think DHP is a better catcher of high-balls than Hodge, but Hodge as a better footballer in just about every other way and has to be kept on the park to take an increasing role in goal-kicking (maybe just leave Foley the conversions of tries under the posts). Beale is a much more potent counter-attacker to combine with Folou, and beyond all that, Hunt is a better all-around footballer to cover spots when any of the others mentioned are missing. All up, I don't see a lot of test football in DHP's future other than as injury cover at 14/15. [Pro football's a harsh environment. One day, you're at the top of your game. The next, you're just some bloke who used to be good.]
Tycoch
Guest
Yes they (Wallabies) are but article's heading refers to Wales being near full strength - they are not
PeterK
Roar Guru
Wallabies are harder hit by absences, especially in the forwards. From its best team LHP - Slipper Locks - Arnold, Tui, Rodda out so the bench lock Philip is no 6 lock Flanker Dempsey, Higginbotham (injured since June test he played) and Pocock out Wing - Naivalu, Haylett-Petty F/B - Folau
Tycoch
Guest
And Ross Moriarty is also out
Tycoch
Guest
# 1 scrum half out. Down to about 5th or 6th choice at openside. George North out