The Autumn Internationals Preview: Wales

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Wales Schedule
vs Australia – Saturday November 5, 10:30pm HKT
vs Argentina – Sunday November 13, 1:30am HKT
vs Japan – Saturday November 19, 10:30pm HKT
vs South Africa – Sunday November 27, 1:30am HKT

Wales welcomes back George North from injury to spearhead a Wales attack which has its best shot in years of beating the Wallabies – not to mention the Springboks, Pumas and Japan’s Brave Blossoms.

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What to look out for
Wales lost to New Zealand in the summer, however their gameplan was showing some significant development and for large parts of games they were competitive with the great black tide. This is all the more impressive when you consider how New Zealand have completely marmalised everyone since.  The continued evolution of this more open game plan will be worth your attention.

Strengths
Even with some injuries, the core of the Wales team remains settled. This should work in their favour against unusually poor Wallabies and Springboks sides. The expected back three of George North, Lee Halfpenny and Liam Williams is perhaps the best in Europe.

Weaknesses
Their notorious ability to lose to southern hemisphere teams in the most heartbreaking fashion possible. Particularly Australia, who they have not beaten in their last 11 attempts, with each defeat more soul-splintering than the last.

Coaching situation
Wales are entering the Autumn with a new coach. Rob Howley has been appointed on an interim basis while Warren Gatland is off having his picture taking in a British & Irish Lions polo shirt for the next six months. Howley took over in 2012-13 when Gatland was on Lions duty and Wales won the Six Nations that year, so he has form for doing OK in his temp job.

Player to watch
Ross Moriarty – the Gloucester back row will start and he is all kinds of brilliant.

Best chance of an upset
Given their results history, Wales beating any southern hemisphere team is classed an upset and with both the Wallabies and South Africa in questionable form they have a decent stab at beating both of them.

Prediction
The probably won’t though, because they’re Wales.