Australia vs Wales: Predict the series result.

First topic message reminder :

Most likely the most anticipated test series of the summer tour. Six Nations champion vs Tri Nation champion, the repeat of the 3rd and 4th play off of the world cup.

Australia might give the impression that they do not have the strongest scruammagin prowess, but when looking closer at how they scrummed last year it is clear that the odd game did go south in the scrums, but if the wlesh expect this a weakness to exploit, then they might be focusing on the wrng erea. Quade Cooper in my opinion is the weakness, that is to say if he is selected. Robie Deans may just go for James O'Connor. The one thing the australians have are a whole host of interchangeable players, or utility value if you want to be honest. Most of their players can slot into anyone of two of three positions and there for any lack of depth they may have is countered by the flexibility Deans has at his disposal.

Warren gatland has had a similar period in the last 18 months where his team has been built around some young stars, a young inspirational captain and a solid pack. For me the excitment that would be seen between these two back lines is what will make this series the most entertaining and exciting to watch.

Will Wales use more conservative methods like they did against France, and kick for territory, or will they run the ball at every opportunity, Australia will certainly do that.

My personal view is Wales can come away with a win on Australian soil, they'll have to be in top form though, in 24 matches against the SH giantsaway from home, they have only managed one win, and that was in 1969.

maestegmafia wrote:

niwatts wrote:

maestegmafia wrote:

luckless_pedestrian wrote:As I recall it, the only person to kick in behind the Welsh defence all tournament was Owen Farrell. Talk about missing a trick.

He was then floored by North resulting in turnover ball to Wales. Not the best tactic.

He was floored by North, but it wasn't turned over, England attacked for several more phases and advanced near half the pitch till he tried the chip again and Halfpenny caught and marked it on his 5m line.

Apologies my mistake I remembered it incorrectly.

Still we didn't concede a try.

Though I imagine the Wallabies will offer much more of an attacking threat.

Wales didn't concede a try in 3 games - they were rusty in the first, and Laidlaw was a bit luck in the second (although Hogg was unlucky) - Bodes well for a trip to Aus.

Welsh defence vs Aus attack will be the deciding factor, as I think Wales will be able to break down the Aus defence.

I think you have summed it up well biltong. Probably the form team of the NH versus the form team of the SH and I hope the series lives up to expectations. Glad we have a baa-baa's game before heading down under, but would rather see some rotations in that game instead of our first XV.

Voted for 2-1 in Australia's favour.

Sydney morning Herald has a poll with 56% of people predicting a Wales series win.

TycroesOsprey wrote:Sydney morning Herald has a poll with 56% of people predicting a Wales series win.

Which team will win the three-Test series in Australia in June?

Wallabies
46%

Wales
54%

Total votes: 1820.

gone down

Here is week 4 Aussie team of the week from the SMH

Each week, Greg Growden picks the form team from the Australian conference after the weekend's matches. Number of times selected in brackets.

15. Dave Harvey (1) (Force)
14. Lachlan Mitchell (1)(Rebels)
13. Mark Gerrard (1)(Rebels)
12. James O'Connor (1)(Rebels)
11. Digby Ioane (2)(Reds)
10. James Stannard (1) (Force)
9. Brett Sheehan (1) (Force)
8. Matt Hodgson (1)(Force)
7. David Pocock (2) (Force)
6. Scott Higginbotham (3)(Reds)
5. Nathan Sharpe (2) (Force)
4. Hugh Pyle (2(Force)
3. Laurie Weeks (2) (Rebels)
2. Nathan Charles (1) (Force)
1. Pek Cowan (1) (Force)

Player of the round
Nathan Sharpe. A blockbuster of a game from the Wallabies veteran lock, succeeding in nullifying the Waratahs in so many areas.

Try of the round
Nick Frisby (pictured). The Reds backup halfback will always remember his first game when he gathered a stray pass, kicked ahead, and was in the right spot to get the pass off Digby Ioane to score.


Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-union/union-news/team-of-the-week-20120318-1vdu4.html#ixzz1pt1cIRGf

maestegmafia wrote:

TycroesOsprey wrote:Sydney morning Herald has a poll with 56% of people predicting a Wales series win.

Which team will win the three-Test series in Australia in June?

Wallabies
46%

Wales
54%

Total votes: 1820.

Pessimistic Aussies...

We won't really know until we see what team both sides are able to field

Morgannwg wrote:I think you have summed it up well biltong. Probably the form team of the NH versus the form team of the SH and I hope the series lives up to expectations. Glad we have a baa-baa's game before heading down under, but would rather see some rotations in that game instead of our first XV.

Voted for 2-1 in Australia's favour.

Thanks Morgann, I think form a competitive point of view and as you say form, this should be the most exciting and anticipated test series for quite some time between a SH and NH team.

biltongbek wrote:

Morgannwg wrote:I think you have summed it up well biltong. Probably the form team of the NH versus the form team of the SH and I hope the series lives up to expectations. Glad we have a baa-baa's game before heading down under, but would rather see some rotations in that game instead of our first XV.

Voted for 2-1 in Australia's favour.

Thanks Morgann, I think form a competitive point of view and as you say form, this should be the most exciting and anticipated test series for quite some time between a SH and NH team.

Bil

I think all rugby fans are pleased to see real tours and test series re introduced. The summer tours lost the massive meaning they once had. Hopefully we will give the Aussies a good game too.

maestegmafia wrote:Here is week 4 Aussie team of the week from the SMH

Each week, Greg Growden picks the form team from the Australian conference after the weekend's matches. Number of times selected in brackets.

15. Dave Harvey (1) (Force)
14. Lachlan Mitchell (1)(Rebels)
13. Mark Gerrard (1)(Rebels)
12. James O'Connor (1)(Rebels)
11. Digby Ioane (2)(Reds)
10. James Stannard (1) (Force)
9. Brett Sheehan (1) (Force)
8. Matt Hodgson (1)(Force)
7. David Pocock (2) (Force)
6. Scott Higginbotham (3)(Reds)
5. Nathan Sharpe (2) (Force)
4. Hugh Pyle (2(Force)
3. Laurie Weeks (2) (Rebels)
2. Nathan Charles (1) (Force)
1. Pek Cowan (1) (Force)

Player of the round
Nathan Sharpe. A blockbuster of a game from the Wallabies veteran lock, succeeding in nullifying the Waratahs in so many areas.

Try of the round
Nick Frisby (pictured). The Reds backup halfback will always remember his first game when he gathered a stray pass, kicked ahead, and was in the right spot to get the pass off Digby Ioane to score.


Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-union/union-news/team-of-the-week-20120318-1vdu4.html#ixzz1pt1cIRGf

JOC, Barnes or Cooper for the 10 shirt?

I would be most afraid of

10. JOC
12. Barnes

to be honest, especially if AAC plays 13 - that would be a deadly reliable midfield.

Who's likely to play on the wing though? Ioane and Turner?

9. Genia
10. JOC
11. Ioane
12. Barnes
13. AAC
14. Turner
15. Beale

....

Suddenly im not so confident :/

maestegmafia wrote:

biltongbek wrote:

Morgannwg wrote:I think you have summed it up well biltong. Probably the form team of the NH versus the form team of the SH and I hope the series lives up to expectations. Glad we have a baa-baa's game before heading down under, but would rather see some rotations in that game instead of our first XV.

Voted for 2-1 in Australia's favour.

Thanks Morgann, I think form a competitive point of view and as you say form, this should be the most exciting and anticipated test series for quite some time between a SH and NH team.

Bil

I think all rugby fans are pleased to see real tours and test series re introduced. The summer tours lost the massive meaning they once had. Hopefully we will give the Aussies a good game too.

Well, I hope the Autumn tours become real tours again as well.

There is in my view a lot more interest in a 3 test series, if it is only a one off then you lose it is over, but in 3 tests you get time to adjust to conditions, you can correct mistakes and counter the opposition.

It just adds so much more drama to test rugby.

Just have a look at the British and Irish Lions tours, they get that much more attention and carry so much more importance, not just becuase it is the Lions, but because it is a series.

I've gone with two wins for Wales...just a hunch based on how psyched Gatland will have them, the time they'll obviously have spent back at basecamp (Poland) before heading out, - and I think they're not going to be happy with one win, which I'm assuming should be the minimum they expect with the coaches they have and the system running as smoothly as it is now.

Depending on what squad we have (I really can't see Rhys P or Warbs travelling at least) I reckon it'll end up 2-1 to Australia, and you know I think I'll actually be happy with that. Getting a win against one of the SH sides away from home would be absolutely massive for us.

Gone for 2-1 to Wales.Hoping that like the English they will undervalue us for the first and we sneek another.

Don't know if it means anything, but in the poll options, Aus 0 Wales 3 appears twice..... now thats subliminal confidence for you!

I'd be really happy if Wales could win just one, too many people calling for Wales to kick on from the slam and start beating SH consistenly, lets get consistant parity first eh?

A win each and a draw (must be with good performances), then look to kick it on in the Autumn with a good win, and maybe sneak a long awaited win over ABs

Red_Dragon_Spirit wrote:Don't know if it means anything, but in the poll options, Aus 0 Wales 3 appears twice

Fixed, thanks.

3-0 for me. Aus still have the edge in the backs on the hard fast pitches and we had no obvious advantage in the tight phases either at the WC or in December. If anything without Adam Aus had the nudge in the Scrum and if Warburton does not travel as would seem likely they will have a significant advantage at the breakdown.

This is still a team in development and this tour has come too soon to expect history making results. We have to see this as a tour to gain experience, be competitive and learn first-hand what it takes to win in the SH. This is a group of players that has shown the ability and appetite to learn. It has also shown the resilience to bounce back from disappointment and achieve success.

While a win or two would be fantastic if unlikely, I believe that this group of players has what it takes to lose yet still emerge from the experience more determined and better armed to face future challenges.

yes Dragon,I have the feeling that Gatty and your squad will treat this trip as one more step,towards reaching the potential that they really want to achieve. Are we on the verge of seeing a new dynasty??

I'm not really surprised the SMH poll is favouring Wales right now. We've just seen Wales play some attractive rugby and do a clean sweep... meanwhile the super xv season is only a few weeks old and the Australian conference is looking decidedly weakish with the quality just not up to scratch yet. 3 of the Australian teams are looking fairly awful, as usual the Waratahs are decimated with injury and the Reds, not to be outdone, are doing their best to catch up.

I'm sure as the season progresses and everyone starts catching balls and stops running into each other our collective psyche will improve. That said, I still think it'll be a cracker of a series with not much in it either way.

Taffineastbourne wrote:Gone for 2-1 to Wales.Hoping that like the English they will undervalue us for the first and we sneek another.

You sneaked one against the English & the poll in the SMH suggests you won't be underestimated. 2-1 to Oz with you sneaking one.

I think I may have become unduly influenced by other threads here - but isn't it the taking part that counts ?

Nurse......

It's so good that they've brought back Test series. One-off Test matches are good, of course, but a proper Test series is so much better. There's always a chance for instant revenge if you lose the opening Test - the Lions tours of 1989 and 2001 spring to mind.

How are test series counted?

Biltong has given us lots of options with respect to drawn matches but, how are drawn matches counted?
Is it like Chess, for example British Lions v South Africa 1974 was it 3 and a half against half?
How are drawn matches recorded in a series?

They only show the wins mate, so if a series of three test matches have a draw, it will show 1-1. 0r 2-0.

On the match history though it will show the draw in the record books.

Cheers Bilt. And thanks for calling me mate! It makes me feel special!

The biggest disappointment, for me is that there will be no games other than tests. Some players will travel and get no game time. Surely the point of tours is to build a squad?
Didn't Wales go on tour once to Australia but the entire team missed the flight?

It would be even better if they brought back mid-week games for touring sides, Messy.

From what I have been told the full schedule isn't out yet, only the test. I heard england will be playing mid week matches against a barbarian type side in SA, so not sure how it will work in Oz.

Agreed mates, mid week games would be ideal.

I think that the more interesting question is : how will Wales approach the series in terms of playing style and goals?

And : Are Wales suffering an identity crisis?

My view is that the safety-first, kick deep infield and rely on defence to force penalties / turnovers approach we saw against France won't win us games against the Wallabies. Whoever they select as a back three will be too dangerous an attacking threat for us to feed them ball. We'll need to make better use of the ball when we have it. Rob Howley needs reminding that we are allowed to go wide from first phase, rather than bashing it up the middle every time. Also, if we're going to kick, let's kick for touch and put pressure on their lineout, seeing as they're bound to try and put pressure on ours.

Messymesina wrote:Agreed mates, mid week games would be ideal.

There is one midweek game I believe against the Brumbies so all touring players should get game time. A proper tour then .My main concern is that it might be a couple of games too far for a few players after a season which started in mid August last year .If we were playing this weekend I would rate our chances but battle fatigue may have settled in by early June .

I voted 3-0 to Australia cos i'm a bit of a nob. I actually think it'll be 2-1 either way. Should be a great series. Anyone know if it'll be on free to air?

It'll be on Sky Sports, I imagine - unless S4C have managed to get them as well.

I think it is on S4C.

The pre RWC warm up games were an exception to the season so the WRU could sell the rights. I don't think they can for the usual fixtures.

We have an agreement with the WRU and the rugby loving public over nationalised TV rights for international rugby that still stands.

I could have sworn our tour of New Zealand the other season was only on Sky Sports.

And i am eternally greatful for that maes. means i can get my rugby fix!

Biltong, you are being modest France beat The Boks in 1958 1-0, 1 drawn,THE
first team to win a series in SA v the Boks.They also beat them in 1963-4 but it was just a single match.
Of the teams playing in SH,Wales are THE most likely to win a Series on current
form.

mr-bryns-attitude wrote:aus19- wales23
aus22- wales16
aus18- wales22

2-1 win for wales,if adam jones is injured 2-1 win for australia.

That's pretty astute and I'm tempted to agree. We've come within a score of beating them in the last two. Did Adam return for the Dec game? Dunno. I'm putting my hopes on them playing as a unit with confidence. Baa Baas is a must win!

Triangulation wrote:I think that the more interesting question is : how will Wales approach the series in terms of playing style and goals?

And : Are Wales suffering an identity crisis?

Is this a WUM? Fair play.
I think Wales know what they're about even if you don't. Game plans are old hat the thing is to play with adventure and freedom. Did you notice our theme time on the 6Ns warmup show was Band of Brothers.
W

Don, I wouldn't say we've played with much adventure and freedom.

Dontheman wrote:Game plans are old hat the thing is to play with adventure and freedom. Did you notice our theme time on the 6Ns warmup show was Band of Brothers.
W

Wales is perhaps now one of the most clinically coached, heavily drilled sides in the world. Believe it's all just players thinking in freeform and acting accordingly if you must. Nothing 'free' in the Welsh set-up. Rather the ruthlessness goes through the ranks; ruthless training, ruthless attention to detail on the opposition, ruthless players selection (don't perform and Mr Ruthless Gatland makes sure you're gone).

Gameplan is very much the deal in Wales. The prescision with which they prepare for it and play it is the difference between them and the rest so far.