Rugby Test Match: Australia Plays Wales

28.11.2009
Australia v Wales in Cardiff

Venue: Millennium Stadium

Referee: Wales Barnes (England)

Preview
Australia will be desperate to salvage something from this most unsuccessful tour. An opportunity to claim the 'Grand Slam', Australia has only managed to defeat England. They drew 20-20 with Ireland and then lost 8-9 to Scotland last weekend. Can they rise against Wales.

Wales showed last weekend that they are approaching the form that will bring them down from the valleys in droves. They are missing their regular captain Ryan Jones, out with an injury after originally being selected. With two tries against Argentina, they have a match winner in Shane Williams and would do well to expose Australia's defence weaknesses.

It will be a close game but I expect Wales to just prevail against a fighting Aussie team.

Last Five Encounters
19.11.2008 Wales 21-18 in Cardiff
15.09.2007 Australia 32-20 in Cardiff (World Cup, Pool B)
02.06.2007 Australia 31-0 in Brisbane
26.05.2007 Australia 29-23 in Sydney
04.11.2006 Drawn 29-29 in Cardiff

GWC Rugby Rankings: World Table-Australia 5th, Wales 8th

Prediction: Wales by 3 points

Teams

Wales
15 James Hook
14 Leigh Halfpenny
13 Jamie Roberts
12 Jonathan Davies
11 Shane Williams
10 Stephen Jones
9 Dwayne Peel
8 Andy Powell
7 Martyn Williams
6 Dan Lydiate
5 Luke Charteris
4 Alun-Wyn Jones
3 Paul James
2 Matthew Rees
1 Gethin Jenkins, Capt
Replacements
16 Huw Bennett
17 Duncan Jones
18 Jonathan Thomas
19 Sam Warburton
20 Martin Roberts
21 Andrew Bishop
22 Tom James
Head Coach: Warren Gatland

http://www.scrum.com/australiatour/rugby/story/106379.html

Australia
15 Adam Ashley-Cooper
14 Peter Hynes
13 Digby Ioane
12 Quade Cooper
11 Drew Mitchell
10 Matt Giteau
9 Will Genia
1 Benn Robinson
2 Stephen Moore
3 Ben Alexander
4 James Horwill
5 Dean Mumm
6 Rocky Elsom, Capt.
7 David Pocock
8 Wycliff Palu
Replacements
16 Tatafu Polota-Nau
17 Matt Dunning
18 Mark Chisholm
19 George Smith
20 Luke Burgess
21 James O'Connor
22 Kurtley Beal
Head Coach: Robbie Deans

http://www.scrum.com/australiatour/rugby/story/106379.html