The Wallabies are in Cardiff to renew hostilities with Wales in the wee small hours of Sunday morning.
A comfortable win in Japan got the Aussies’ spring tour off to a positive start, but they’ll need to be wary of a hungry Welsh team this week. It will be Wales’ first Test match since June when they squeaked past Samoa, albeit without their Lions stars.
For the Wallabies, some of the usual suspects are back. Genia and Foley resume their partnership, pushing the impressive Reece Hodge to the wing. Karmichael Hunt has recovered from a neck complaint, but only makes the bench. The forward pack is unchanged from Yokohama.
The home side are forced into a few changes. Flanker Justin Tipuric and scrum-half Rhys Webb have failed to recover from their injuries. Josh Navidi and Gareth Davies are their respective replacements. They’re also missing the big names of George North and Sam Warburton.
The interesting selection is Owen Williams at inside centre for his first start. He’ll function as a second playmaker alongside Dan Biggar. Meanwhile, the Welsh bench is light on experience, featuring three uncapped players.
Wallabies
1. Scott Sio 2. Tatafu Polota-Nau 3. Sekope Kepu 4. Rob Simmons 5. Adam Coleman 6. Ned Hanigan 7. Michael Hooper 8. Sean McMahon 9. Will Genia 10. Bernard Foley 11. Reece Hodge 12. Samu Kerevi 13. Tevita Kuridrani 14. Marika Koroibete 15. Kurtley BealeSubs: Stephen Moore, Tom Robertson, Allan Alaalatoa, Matt Philip, Ben McCalman, Nick Phipps, Karmichael Hunt, Henry Speight
Wales
1. Rob Evans 2. Ken Owens 3. Tomas Francis 4. Jake Ball 5. Alun Wyn Jones 6. Aaron Shingler 7. Josh Navidi 8. Toby Faletau 9. Gareth Davies 10. Dan Biggar 11. Steff Evans 12. Owen Williams 13. Jonathan Davies 14. Liam Williams 15. Leigh HalfpennySubs: Kristian Dacey, Nicky Smith, Leon Brown, Cory Hill, Sam Cross, Aled Davies, Owen Watkin, Hallam Amos
Prediction
The Wallabies have won 12 on the trot against Wales, during an era of relative strength for the Welsh. Australia are definitely their bogey team (the All Blacks’ 28-game streak against Wales doesn’t count ‒ they’re just a very good team).
Wales finished a disappointing fifth in this year’s Six Nations, but that doesn’t tell the full story. They beat Ireland and suffered narrow losses to both England and France. Despite the personnel changes, Wales still boast class in the form of Alun Wyn Jones, Toby Faletau, Jonathan Davies and Leigh Halfpenny.
It should be an intriguing battle. Recent encounters with the Welsh have centred around nullifying the hulking threats of North, Davies and Jamie Roberts. The selection of a playmaker at 12 will be a useful test for the defensive communication of Kerevi and Kuridrani.
The set piece will be a focal point for the home side and the Wallabies’ scrum must hold its own to get the job done. Halfpenny’s boot is always a weapon if our front row starts to creak. But I think Australia will edge this one.
Wallabies by 6.
Follow Wales' clash with Australia from the Principality Stadium in Cardiff. Rugby Union: Australia play Wales early on Sunday morning at Principality Stadium, Cardiff, Wales as the Wallabies continue their Spring Tour. Watch Free: https://t.co/lPKL57jgXH Watch Free: https://t.co/lPKL57jgXH
DaveR
Guest
Spot on Pirates. Toby Faletau at 8 for Wales is bigger that any of our back row, and he is likely to make good yards in the set plays. If I was more confident with McCalman's match fitness I would start him at 8 with Hooper and McMahon on the sides.
adastra32
Guest
The advantage lies with the WBs - having been playing together for a very good while. Expect rustiness and a slow start from Wales (happens often in the 6N), which will do for them.
Londoner
Guest
As a Englishman I feel Oz have little to fear from Wales, and I cant see how the Hymns rival the Haka in any way shape or form. Its not on the same level. WBs by 5 points .
advrider-oz
Guest
tick?
Uncle Eric
Guest
Sad.
ThugbyFan
Guest
I didn't see any of the EOYT games from last year as I was in USA, where its almost impossible to see a rugby game. At this moment bein3 is showing last year's game against Wales. A few points: - The first half the WB were unstoppable and led 20-3. They blew 2 tries in the first 40 minutes and should have been up about 32-3. The Welsh pack manned up, slowed everything down and kept the WB to just 2 tries in the 2nd half. You would almost expect this as WB were just off the RC while Wales looked very rusty. - Nick Phipps was the halfback and up to 66 minutes I cannot fault him. Nick Frisby subbed him about the 67th minute. Frisby did a brilliant try-saving tackle at 74 mins. - the backrow was D.Pocock, M.Hooper and L.Timani. So good to see power in the backrow with Timani and Pocock hitting those rucks and ploughing past the gain line with ball in hand. I expect Ned Hanigan to do the same or bug*er off back to subbies. - Reece Hodge played #12 and killed them in the 1st half. I don't think he is much of a #10, but a great IC. Strangely enough Hodge was given the job of kicking for the sideline, both off penalties and out of the WB 22. - B.Foley was given MotM by the Welsh commentators. I'm positive that he won the MotM in 2014 also. They call him the "little general" over there. He sure doesn't get that sort of accolade on the Roar. :) - The locks were R.Arnold and A.Coleman. The Welsh pack were cringing when those two went forward with the ball, they were brutal. The packs were pretty much even once R.Simmons came on as sub about the 60 minute. Yet during this year's RC, coach M.Cheika pronounced that R.Arnold just ain't up to it, yet here Rory Arnold played the whole 80 minutes. Can't figure it out. Am a little uneasy with SK at IC and KB at fb, but we will see. Goooooooooooooooooo WB. Anyways, WB to win but not by much. Off to the NRC final.
Die hard
Roar Rookie
I just get the feeling that Wales are due for a win. They have a pretty decent squad. Just as the Wallabies were due for one off the All Blacks so are Wales due theirs as well. They are at home with it all to play for whereas we are still celebrating the win over the ABs. Either way I think it close. Less than seven. Not a game I would like to bet on
Jack jack
Guest
expecting a very physical contest
Fionn
Guest
Let's hope so, Pirates. Unfortunately, if you're right it will probably mean that Hanigan is maintained over McCalman for the England match, because why would you change a winning strategy??
Reverse Wheel
Guest
Chock full of roar cliches.
PiratesRugby
Guest
McCalman should start at 6 with Timani coming off the bench. Alas. Wales has too many big players out and too many new faces to trouble Australia. Our backrow weakness probably won't be capitalised upon by the Welsh. Our backs will annihilate them, even with Foley at 10. It could be Australia by 6 or 60.
Fionn
Guest
Kerevi has finesse.
wag
Guest
Thanks Machooka! At least Glen Jackson has played the game!! And is usually not a bad Rougheree ! Let's hope that Cheika has been "nice" to him recently? !!! ---- Those "Rougherees" are like elephants -- they never forget !
Dave_S
Guest
McCalman subbing for Hanigan is just as likely as subbing for McMahon. THAT is likely to have a substantial difference.
Blinky Bill of Bellingen
Guest
How would a NZ Ref help at the breakdown? Do they interpret the laws differently or is their feel for the game different?
Dat Mavis
Roar Pro
Tool-y is right
Hugh_96
Roar Pro
Very much looking forward to the game but with the usual trepidation when facing the Welsh, who always provide a stressful tight game. Am a little edgie with the 2 X Ks defence in the mid field but if it's not tried we will never know, hopefully Kerevi has his confidence back, he seems a confidence/ emotional player. And I guess we hang in with Ned until the replacements come on in the 2nd half.
MacKenzie
Guest
Oh when mentioning the two K's, one realises how lacking we are in the midfield compared to the likes of Horan and Little. Barge ball, suspect defence and little flair from the centres are the hallmark of the modern game. Pretty much the same with the All Blacks. Wakes will win the national anthem, I suspect the Wallabies will win pretty much everything else :)
Tooly
Roar Rookie
The Welsh will turn up but I'm not sure about Chekko's Boy Brigade with Kurevi at 12 and no breakaways . Glen Jackson is a good referee but not brilliant he is not a poser and not vindictive ; it will be interesting to see if he picks up Foley's forward handballs to his right ; Mick Byrnes only contribution to rugby apart from BS . Chekko is obsessed with big Fijians with no finess in the backs and with little boys in the backrow a little bit strange .