The Wallabies will try to limit the influence of inspirational Welsh skipper Alun Wyn Jones in their World Cup pool match in Tokyo.
Subduing the influence of record-breaking Wales captain Alun Wyn Jones will be at the heart of the Australian game plan, according to Wallabies opposite Rory Arnold.
Towering second-rower Jones will play his 139th Test in Tokyo on Sunday, lifting him to level fourth on the all-time list alongside former Wallabies halfback George Gregan.
By the end of his fourth appearance at the global tournament Jones could be second on the overall cap list behind only All Blacks great Richie McCaw (148).
The 34-year-old’s lofty status in Welsh rugby has scaled new heights since succeeding Sam Warburton as full-time skipper in 2017.
It peaked when he was the driving force behind Wales’ Six Nations grand slam this year, leaving him ranked in some European publications as currently the greatest player in the world.
Arnold said Jones commands the full respect of the Wallabies for his achievements and is a clear rallying figure for the Welsh.
“Obviously he’s accomplished a lot in his career,” Arnold said.
“He’s their go-to at lineout time and he drives their set piece.
“And he’s a big figure in their team. We’ll have to be right on top of our game and shut him down.”
Jones, who has played nine times for the British and Irlsh Lions, will move clear of Gethin Jenkins as the most capped player for Wales (130 Tests).
Another to have made strides up the global lock pecking order this year is Arnold, whose career-best form for the Brumbies has transferred onto the Test stage.
Former Wallabies captain Phil Kearns compared the Toulouse-bound Arnold with All Blacks enforcer Brodie Retallick after Australia dominated the opening Bledisloe Cup Test in Perth.
Arnold was missing with injury when the Wallabies were hammered in the return match at Eden Park.
zubrick
Roar Rookie
turns out it was gareth davies the welsh halfback the wallabies couldn't catch although Bernard chased hard didn't quite have the gas
QED
Roar Rookie
I would have said that JOC more than matches Hodge or DHP for pace step and finishing ability. But let’s be fair to AAC he is handicapped bu his Zimmer Frame. Perhaps we can get him one of those ride on old age pensioner scooter thingys
QED
Roar Rookie
I think he will stick with White. If his earlier form he showed doesn’t materialise then Cheika can quickly sub in WG
Lara
Guest
Jones is a great leader, he is no nonsense, blue collar rugby players n his teammates will follow him without question....Wales is lucky to have him n he should be targeted, because he is that important to Wales.
Linny
Guest
Agree Mick, solid...only issue I have with this is...if there is enough doubt about a players form to sensibly plan to reef him quickly if he's having (one of his now all to frequent) bad days, why include him in the squad for a crunch match? and if such doubt exists certainly shouldn't start him. That's the Beale quandary these days.
Doctordbx
Roar Rookie
George North ain't so bad either. Imagine having George North in your back three as "oh and George North".
Old Bugger
Guest
The player the WBs should be going at is Biggar at No10. Send every forward runner at him all night and place "D" pressure on him from the get-go. The WBs need to stop the Welsh back-line from gaining any momentum and the first man in that cog, is No10. My pick is a WB win provided they close-down the welsh back-line cos Davies, is a damn good and clever distributor and ball-running player and if Biggar and Co can find room for him, then it could be a very long night, for the WBs.
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
Smiling faces don’t make it all alright :stoked:
Puff
Guest
Wales is starting to tick all the boxes which make this a mammoth match, for both teams. The big difference is in the coaching box, Gatland is an astute tactician, vintage NZ branding, Cheika is much more circumspect intermixed with arrogance. Where Warren has been experimenting Cheika has been wasting game time and I don’t believe Cheika understands the difference.
Timbo (L)
Roar Guru
Where is Tom Banks? A guy with pace, vision and can defend a backline. Oh, yeh, that's right, I watched him play for the Vikings at UWA park in Perth last week. Too many Cheika favorites, not enough guys selected on form.
percy P
Roar Rookie
Who does people think'll start at halfback?
zubrick
Roar Rookie
jonathan davies and liam Williams are world class backs if we cannot nullify these two we will lose this match I fear only marika koroibete may be our only man with enough speed to catch and tackle them if either find space
Oblonsky‘s Other Pun
Roar Guru
I think he’s the single more irreplaceable member of our forward pack, mate.
Kashmir Pete
Roar Guru
Eds Guarantee more clicks if you had Eddie's photo with this heading rather than Alwyn's. Cheers KP
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
Yes Doc, I’m not picking an ideal team. I’m shuffling the cards that the dealers have dealt.
Doctordbx
Roar Rookie
The speed of this Welsh backline though means if AAC doesn’t make his tackles straight up, or those either side of him, he’s going to be left in the dust trying to chase them. Seen enough of AAC jogging after attacking players this year.
terrykidd
Roar Pro
G'day KCOL ..... lol I included that line as click bait .... hahahaha wondered how many would bite :) ..... which was why the smiley face was there.
Doctordbx
Roar Rookie
Let's play a game... what word first comes to mind when I say the words "Beale" and "High Ball" ?
Kashmir Pete
Roar Guru
Great game looming. Rory has been my favourite - IMO most valuable - Wallaby for quite some time. Pity not selected more often, we might not be losing him so soon.
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
Loxie, I did not want AAC in the squad but this is the exact crisis that he was brought for. He's a 'cork'. He plugs leaks. I am open to JOC 12, TK 13, and a good tackler at 14 (Kerevi, AAC or?) DHP 15. Beale bench.