RUGBY WORLD CUP: Australia Just Get Passed Wales

21.10.2011
Australia 21, Wales 18 in Auckland (World Cup, Playoff 3rd-4th)

Review
A Welsh try in injury time, after a most exciting build up, could not prevent Australia taking the bronze medal at the 2011 Rugby World Cup.

This was a test match that had its moments but was error-ridden despite the fact that both sides tried to run the ball. They ran the ball from almost anywhere but failed to execute their moves and so we were left a little frustrated.

Injuries to Quade Cooper and Kurtley Beale marred the Australia win. Both players look to be out for some time, Cooper as much as six months.

Wales, apart from the last ten minutes, were rarely able to put in a concerted team effort. They appeared disjointed. Despite the loss they will be able to return home proud of the fact that of all the ‘Home Nations’ they progressed the most in this competition.

Both side look to be teams for the future. They both have a good sprinkling of young and up coming players. By the time the 2015 Rugby World Cup arrives they will be very experienced units. They are certainly the teams of the future.

RUGBY WORLD CUP: 3rd-4th Playoff

21.10.2011
Wales v Australia in Auckland (World Cup, 3rd-4th Playoff)

Venue: Eden Park

Referee: Wayne Barnes (England)

Preview
The most significant aspect of this encounter is that nobody is really all that interested. There is no logical explanation for this match. Nothing is hinging on it apart from national pride.

The rubber is dead for these two teams, both defeated last weekend and knocked out of the 2011 Rugby World Cup. Players from both sides are exhausted physically and mentally not particularly motivated.

Nathan Sharp will be playing his 100th test match for Australia.
Reason enough to pay some respects for this encounter.
Image thanks to aru.rugby.com.au

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Both teams have made changes from the starting lineup from last weekend. The winner will be the team most motivated and physically up to the challenge of another test match.

Last Five Encounters
06.11.2010 Australia 25-16 in Cardiff
28.11.2009 Australia 33-12 in Cardiff
29.11.2008 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

Wales This World Cup
11.09.2011 v South Africa L 16-17 in Wellington
18.09.2011 v Samoa W 17-10 in Hamilton
26.09.2011 v Namibia W 81-7 in New Plymouth
02.10.2011 v Fiji W 66-0 in Hamilton
08.10.2011 v Ireland W 22-10 in Wellington (QF)
15.10.2011 v France L 8-9 in Auckland (SF)

Australia This World Cup
11.09.2011 v Italy W 32-6 in Albany
17.09.2011 v Ireland L 6-15 in Auckland
23.09.2011 v USA W 67-5 in Wellington
01.10.2011 v Russia W 68-22 in Nelson
09.10.2011 v South Africa W 11-9 in Wellington (QF)
16.10.2011 v New Zealand L 6-20 in Auckland (SF)

GWC Rugby Rankings
World Table-Australia 2nd, Wales 5th

IRB Ranking Points
Australia 86.49, Wales 81.10

Prediction: Australia by 6 points

Teams

Wales
15 Leigh Halfpenny, 14 George North, 13 Jonathan Davies, 12 James Roberts, 11 Shane Williams, 10 James Hook, 9 Michael Phillips, 8 Ryan Jones, 7 Tobias Faletau,
6 Daniel Lydiate, 5 Luke Charteris, 4 Bradley Davies, 3 Paul James, 2 Huw Bennett, 1 Gethin Jenkins. Capt.
Replacements
16 Lloyd Burns, 17 Ryan Bevington, 18 Alun Wyn Jones, 19 Andrew Powell, 20 Lloyd Williams, 21 Stephen Jones, 22 Scott Williams.
Head Coach: Warren Gatland

Australia
15 Kurtley Beale, 14 James O'Connor, 13 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 12 Berrick Barnes, 11 Digby Ioane, 10 Quade Cooper, 9 William Genia, 8 Benjamin McCalman, 7 David Pocock, 6 Scott Higginbotham, 5 Nathan Sharpe, 4 James Horwill, Capt, 3 Salesi Ma'afu, 2 Tatafu Polota-Nau, 1 James Slipper.
Replacements
16 Saia Faingaa, 17 Benjamin Alexander, 18 Robert Simmons, 19 Radike Samo, 20 Luke Burgess, 21 Anthony Faingaa, 22 Robert Horne.
Head Coach: Robbie Deans