Saturday, June 23, 2012

WALES ALL OUT TO WIN RUGBY TEST

23.06.2012
Wales v Australia in Sydney

Venue: Allianz Stadium

Referee: Craig Joubert (South Africa)

Preview
An unusual event will take place in Sydney today. A rugby test is being played DURING THE DAY! Almost unheard off down under. In the Islands yes, but rarely in Australia and New Zealand. But a test match will take place in Sydney and the kick off is 3pm. My eyes water! It takes me back to my youth when EVERY test match started at 3pm and ALWAYS on a Saturday.

The question is can Wales put the huge disappointment of the last minute loss to Australia last Saturday behind them? Can they come out just as fired as they did last weekend and this time go through with a win? Big questions.

Wales has stuck very much with the team from last weekend, whist Australia has made two changes. Kurtley Beale adds another dimension to fullback whilst Ashley-Cooper moves to the wing replacing Cooper Vuna.

I’ll be glued to the TV.

Last Five Encounters
16.06.2012 Australia 25-23 in Melbourne
09.06.2012 Australia 27-19 in Brisbane
03.12.2011 Australia 24-18 in Cardiff
21.10.2012 Australia 21-18 in Auckland (World Cup, Playoff 3rd-4th)
06.11.2010 Australia 25-16 in Cardiff

Wales last defeated Australia in Australia in 1969, winning 19-16 in Sydney.

Australia Last Five
16.06.2012 v Wales W 25-23 in Melbourne
09.06.2012 v Wales W 27-19 in Brisbane
05.06.2012 v Scotland L 6-9 in Newcastle
03.12.2011 v Wales W 24-18 in Cardiff
31.10.2011 v Wales W 21-18 in Auckland (World Cup, Playoff 3rd-4th)

Wales Last Five

16.06.2012 v Australia L 23-25 in Melbourne
09.06.2012 v Australia L 19-27 in Brisbane
02.06.2012 v Barbarians (UK) RFC W 30-21 in Cardiff
17.03.2012 v France W 16-9 in Cardiff (6 Nations)
10.03.2012 v Italy W 24-3 in Cardiff (6 Nations)

GWC Rugby Rankings
World Table-Australia 3rd, Wales 6th

IRB Ranking Points

Australia 86.77, Wales 82.54

Prediction: Australia’s turn for heart break. Wales to bounce back and win, just, by 2 points

Teams

7[1]

AUSTRALIA

15   Kurtley Beale Melbourne Rebels
14   Adam Ashley-Cooper  NSW Waratahs
13   Robert Horne NSW Waratahs
12   Patrick McCabe ACT Brumbies
11   Digby Ioane  Queensland Reds
10   Berrick Barnes  NSW Waratahs
9   William Genia Queensland Reds
8   Wycliff Palu  NSW Waratahs
7   David Pocock (Capt.) WA Western Force
6   Scott Higginbotham  Queensland Reds
5   Nathan Sharpe  WA Western Force
4   Sitaleki Timani NSW Waratahs
3   Sekope Kepu  NSW Waratahs
2   Tatafu Polota Nau  NSW Waratahs
1   Ben Robinson  NSW Waratahs
       
16   Stephan Moore  ACT Brumbies
17   Benjamin Alexander  ACT Brumbies
18   Robert Simmons  Queensland Reds
19   David Dennis  NSW Waratahs
20   Michael Hooper  ACT Brumbies
21   Nicholas White ACT Brumbies
22   Anthony Fainga’a  Queensland Reds
       
    HEAD COACH: Robbie Deans

3[1]

WALES

15   Leigh Halfpenny  Cardiff Blues
14   Alexander Cuthbert  Cardiff Blues
13   Jonathan Davies  Llanelly Scarlets
12   Ashley Beck  Neath Swansea Ospreys
11   George North  Llanelly Scarlets
10   Rhys Priestland Llanelly Scarlets
9   Michael Phillips  Bayonne, France
8   Ryan Jones  Neath Swansea Ospreys
7   Samuel Warburton (Capt.)  Neath Swansea Ospreys
6   Daniel Lydiate Newport Gwent Dragons
5   Alyn-Wyn Jones  Neath Swansea Ospreys
4   Bradley Davies  Cardiff Blues
3   Adam Jones  Neath Swansea Ospreys
2   Matthew Rees  Llanelly Scarlets
1   Gethin Jenkins  Cardiff Blues
       
16   Kenneth Owens Llanelly Scarlets
17   Paul James  Neath Swansea Ospreys
18   Luke Charteris  Newport Gwent Dragons
19   Justin Tupuric Neath Swansea Ospreys
20   Rhys Webb Cardiff Blues
21   James Hook  Perpignan, France
22   Scott Williams  Llanelly Scarlets
       
    HEAD COACH: Rob Howley (temp.)

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