1
This week marks the New Zealander’s tenth anniversary as Wales coach and Gatland would love nothing more than for his side to halt a run of 12 successive losses to the Wallabies, with the last Welsh win against Australia back in 2008.
ADVERTISEMENT
For much of his time in charge, Wales’s back-play has been built on bursting through the gainline, with inside centre Jamie Roberts the crash-ball carrier of choice — the so-called ‘Warrenball’ approach.
But experienced midfielder Roberts isn’t even on the bench this weekend, with Gatland rolling the dice by pairing Owen Williams at inside centre alongside fly-half Dan Biggar in a twin playmaker system.
Wing Steffan Evans and flankers Josh Navidi and Aaron Shingler will also start, with captain Alun Wyn Jones one of seven British and Irish Lions in the home side.
“We have had our ups and downs in that 10-year period, but it has been exciting and challenging,” Gatland said. “Now we’re going to change the way we play a little bit.”
Gatland, returning to Wales duty after overseeing the touring British and Irish Lions 1-1 series draw against world champions New Zealand in June and July, added: “This team is a reward for some players. Aaron has proved himself over the last year and Josh Navidi has played everywhere across the back-row.
“Owen has a pretty good record at centre. Everyone has talked about his attack, but what is going to win Saturday’s game is defence.”
ADVERTISEMENT
“Australia has a massive midfield and two direct wings so I don’t think they’re going to be too worried about throwing the ball around. I think they’re going to be pretty direct.
“For us the result is important, we want to win every game,” insisted Gatland, who has urged supporters to be patient with his side as they adapt to their new style of play which the coach hopes will stand them in good stead for the 2019 World Cup in Japan.
In centre Jonathan Davies, No 8 Taulupe Faletau and skipper Jones, a commanding lock, Wales still have plenty of physical presence.
But they will head into Saturday’s match as underdogs having been hammered 32-8 by Australia in Cardiff last year under caretaker coach Rob Howley, in charge while Gatland was seconded to the Lions.
ADVERTISEMENT
“I don’t know what it is, but I wouldn’t say Australia are a bogey team,” said Jones. “We have come very close to beating them and in some games we felt we should have. It is not necessarily a curse.”
Australia, who have beaten Japan and New Zealand in their last two games, will arrive in Cardiff in fine form, with Michael Cheika’s side captained by flanker Michael Hooper.
Vice-captains Will Genia and Bernard Foley team up at scrumhalf, with Kurtley Beale at fullback.
The Wallabies boast 293 international caps among their replacements alone but Cheika was wary of a remodelled Wales team.
“I’ve seen the new guys Wales have picked and they are quality players,” said Cheika. “I think that debutants give you a certain power and they can change a side.
“One thing I’ve learnt in my career is to expect anything to happen on any given day. It’s the first game of the series for Wales and I am sure there will be a change of some sort.”
As for Australia having some sort of ‘edge’ on Wales, Cheika said: “I’ve never been a believer in a psychological barrier. It’s all about consistency and then when you get to game day, the match starts at 0-0.”
Players to watch:
For Wales: You will start by looking at the three newcomers – Scarlets wing Steff Evans, Gloucester’s centre Owen Williams and Cardiff Blues flank Josh Navidi. Then there are the usual suspects – Leigh Halfpenny, Liam Williams and Dan Biggar. However, the loose trio of Taulupe Faletau, Navidi and Aaron Shingler could hold the key.
For Australia: Kurtley Beale at fullback is interesting, especially since he was such a star at inside centre in recent weeks. Tevita Kuridrani and Samu Kerevi make for a more forceful midfield – the Wallabies going for brawn over brain here. The return of Will Genia at scrumhalf will compensate for the – somewhat. Michael Hooper, as always, will be a joy to watch.
Head to head: You would pay good money to watch Leigh Halfpenny (Wales) against Kurtley Beale (Australia) – the skills of both are worth it. Although there are indeed quality head-to-head battles all over the field, the midfield could be particularly interesting – the Wales pair of Jonathan Davies (1.86m, 104kg) and Owen Williams against Australia’s Fijian combination of Tevita Kuridrani (1.94m, 102kg) and Samuel Kerevi (1.86m, 105kg)
Recent results
2016: Australia won 32-8, Cardiff
2015: Australia won 15-6, London (World Cup pool match)
2014: Australia won 33-28, Cardiff
2013: Australia won 30-26, Cardiff
2012: Australia won 14-12, Cardiff
2012: Australia won 20-19, Sydney
2012: Australia won 23-25, Melbourne
2012: Australia won 27-19, Brisbane
2011: Australia won 24-18, Cardiff
2011: Australia won 21-18, Auckland (World Cup third-place play-off)
Prediction: The number of times that there a single score separated these two teams is astonishing. Australia has won their last 12 games against Wales and 15 of their last 16 encounters. It is likely to follow the same pattern – the Wallabies winning a close battle – seven points or less.
Teams:
Wales: 15 Leigh Halfpenny, 14 Liam Williams, 13 Jonathan Davies, 12 Owen Williams, 11 Steff Evans, 10 Dan Biggar, 9 Gareth Davies, 8 Taulupe Faletau, 7 Josh Navidi, 6 Aaron Shingler, 5 Alun Wyn Jones (captain), 4 Jake Ball, 3 Tomas Francis, 2 Ken Owens, 1 Rob Evans.
Replacements: 16 Kristian Dacey, 17 Nicky Smith, 18 Leon Brown, 19 Cory Hill, 20 Sam Cross, 21 Aled Davies, 22 Owen Watkin, 23 Hallam Amos.
Australia: 15 Kurtley Beale, 14 Marika Koroibete, 13 Tevita Kuridrani, 12 Samu Kerevi, 11 Reece Hodge, 10 Bernard Foley, 9 Will Genia, 8 Sean McMahon, 7 Michael Hooper (captain), 6 Ned Hanigan, 5 Adam Coleman, 4 Rob Simmons, 3 Sekope Kepu, 2 Tatafu Polota-Nau, 1 Scott Sio.
Replacements: 16 Stephen Moore, 17 Tom Robertson, 18 Allan Alaalatoa, 19 Matt Philip, 20 Ben McCalman, 21 Nick Phipps, 22 Karmichael Hunt, 23 Henry Speight.
Date: Saturday, November 11
Venue: Millennium Stadium, Cardiff
Kick-off: 17.15 (17.15 GMT; 04.15 AEDT, Sunday, November 12)
Expected weather: It doesn’t really matter if they close the roof, but there will be a little rain from tropical rainstorm Rina. High of 13°C and a low of 2°C
Referee: Glen Jackson (New Zealand)
Assistant referees: Jaco Peyper (South Africa), Ian Tempest (England)
TMO: Graham Hughes (England)
@rugby365com
Comments on RugbyPass
Bell injured his foot didn’t he? Bring Tupou in he’ll deliver when it counts. Agree mostly but I would switch in the Reds number 8 Harry Wilson for Swinton and move Rob Valentini to 6 instead. Wilson is a clever player who reads the play, you can’t outmuscle the AB’s and Springboks, if you have any chance it’s by playing clever. Same goes for Paisami, he’s a little guy who doesn’t really trouble the likes of De Allende and Jordie Barrett. I’d rather play Carter Gordon at 12 and put Michael Lynagh’s boy at 10. That way you get a BMT type goalkicker at 10 and a playmaker at 12. Anyways, just my two cents as a Bok supporter.
13 Go to commentsThanks Brett, love your articles which are alway pertinent. It’s a difficult topic trying to have a panel adjudicating consistently penalties for red card issues. Many of the mitigating reasons raised are judged subjectively, hence the different outcomes. How to take away subjective opinions?
4 Go to commentsYes Sir! Surprising, just like Fraser would also have escaped sanction if he was a few inches lower, even if it was by accident that he missed! Has there really been talk about those sanctions or is this just sensational journalism? I stopped reading, so might have missed any notations.
4 Go to commentsAI is only as good as the information put in, the nuances of the sport, what you see out the corner of the eye, how you sum up in a split second the situation, yes the AI is a tool but will not help win games, more likely contribute to a loss, Rugby Players are not robots, all AI can do if offer a solution not the solution. AI will effect many sports, help train better golfers etc.
45 Go to commentsIt couldn’t have been Ryan Crotty. He wasn’t selected in either World Cup side - they chose Money Bill instead. And Money Bill only cared about himself, and that manager he had, not the team.
26 Go to commentsYawn 🥱 nobody would give a hoot about this new trophy. End of the day we just have to beat Ireland and NZ this year then they can finally shut up 🤐
13 Go to commentsTalking bout Ryan Crotty? Heard Crotty say in a interview once that SBW doesen't care about the team . He went on to say that whenever they lost a big game, SBW would be happy as if nothing happened, according to him someone who cares would look down.. Personally I think Crotty is in the wrong, not for feeling gutted but for expecting others 2 be like him… I have been a bad loser forever as it matters so much to me but good on you SBW for being able to see the bigger picture….
26 Go to commentsThis sounds like a WWE idea so Americans can also get excited about rugby, RUGBY NEEDS A INTERNATIONAL CALENDER .. The rugby Championship and Six Nations can be held at same time, top 3 of six nations and top 3 of Rugby championship (6 nations should include Georgia AND another qualifying country while Fiji, Japan and Samoa/Tonga qualifier should make out 6 Southern teams).. Scrap June internationals and year end tours. Have a Elite top six Cup and the Bottom 6 in a secondary comp….
13 Go to commentsThe rugby championship would be even stronger with Fiji in it… I know it doesen’t fit the long term plans of NZ or Aus but you are robbing a whole nation of being able to see their best players play for Fiji…. Every second player in NZ and AUS teams has Fijian surnames… shame on you!!! World rugby won’t step in either as France and England has now also joined in…. I guess where money is involved it will always be the poor countries missing out….
84 Go to commentsNo surprise there. How hard can it be to pick a ball off the ground and chuck it to a mate? 😂
2 Go to commentsSometimes people just like a moan mate!
4 Go to commentsexcellent idea ! rugby needs this 💪
13 Go to comments9 Brumbies! What a joke! The best performing team in Oz! Ditch Skelton for Swain or Neville. Ryan Lonergan ahead of McDermott any day! Best selection bolter is Toole … amazing player
13 Go to commentsI like this, but ultimately rugby already has enough trophies. Trying to make more games “consequential" might prove to be a fools errand, although this is a less bad idea than some others. Minor quibble with the title of the article; it isn’t very meaningful to say the boks are the unofficial world champions when it would be functionally impossible for the Raeburn trophy not to be held by the world champions. There’s a period of a few months every 4 years when there is no “unofficial” world champion, and the Raeburn trophy is held by the actual world champions.
13 Go to commentsIts a great idea but one that I dont think will have a lot of traction. It will depend on the prestige that they each hold but if you can do that it would be great. When Japan beat the Boks (my team) I was absolutely devestated but I wont deny the great game they played that day. We were outclassed and it was one of the best games of rugby I have seen. Using an idea like this you might just give the the underdog teams more of an opportunity to beat the big teams and I can absolutely see it being a brilliant display of rugby. They beat us because they planned for that game. It was a great moment for Japan. This way we can remove the 4 year wait and give teams something to aim for outside of World Cup years.
13 Go to commentsHi, Dave here. Happy to answer questions 🥰
13 Go to commentsDon’t think that headline is accurate. It’s great to see Aus doing better but I’m not sure they’ve shown much threat to the top of the table. They shouldn’t be inflating wins against the lousy Highlanders and Crusaders either.
3 Go to commentsSuch a shame Roigard and Aumua picked up long term injuries, probably the two form players in the comp. Also, pretty sure Clarke Dermody isn’t their coach. Got it half right though.
3 Go to commentsOh the Aussie media, they never learn. At least Andrew Kellaway is like “Woah, yeah it’s great, but settle down there guys” having endured years of the Aussie media, fans, and often their players getting ahead of themselves only to fall flat on their faces. Have the “We'll win the Bledisloe for sure this year!” headlines started yet? It’s simple to see what’s going on. The Aussie teams are settled, they didn't lose any of their major players overseas. The Crusaders and Chiefs lost key experienced All Blacks, and Razor in the Crusaders case, and clearly neither are anywhere near as strong as last year (The Canes and Blues would probably be 3rd & 4th if they were). The Highlanders are annually average, even more so post-Aaron Smith and a big squad clean out. The two teams at the top? The two nz sides with largely the same settled roster as last year, except Ardie Savea for the Canes. They’ve both got far better coaches now too. If the Aussies are going to win the title, this is the year the kiwi sides will be weakest, so they better take their chance.
3 Go to commentsThe World Cup has to be the gold standard, line in the sand. 113 teams compete for what is the opportunity to make the pool stages, and then the knockout games for the trophy. The concept is sound. This must have been the rationale when the World Cup was created, surely? But I’m all for Looking forward and finding new ways for the SH to dominate the NH into the future. The autumn series needs a change up. Let’s start by having the NH teams come south every odd year for the Autumn/Spring series games?
13 Go to comments