Wales v Australia, 5 November

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WALES v AUSTRALIA  
5 November 2016
KO: 14:30 GMT
Principality Stadium, Cardiff

Live on BBC Sports

Referee: Craig Joubert (South Africa)
Assistant Referees: Jérôme Garcès (France), Federico Anselmi (Argentina)
TMO: Simon McDowell (Ireland)

A. Head to Head

39 Played 39
10 Won 28
1 Drawn 1
28 Lost 10
596 Points 912

B. Recent Form

10 October 2015:
Twickenham Stadium
15 – 6 to Australia
2015 Rugby World Cup Pool A

8 November 2014:
Millennium Stadium
28 – 33 to Australia
2014 Autumn International

30 November 2013:
Millennium Stadium
26 – 30 to Australia
2013 Autumn International

1 December 2012:
Millennium Stadium
12 – 14 to Australia
2012 Autumn International

23 June 2012:
Sydney Football Stadium
20 – 19 to Australia
Welsh Tour of Australia

16 June 2012:
Etihad Stadium
25 – 23 to Australia
Welsh Tour of Australia

9 June 2012:
Suncorp Stadium
27 – 19 to Australia
Welsh Tour of Australia

3 December 2011:
Millennium Stadium
18 – 24 to Australia
2011 Autumn International

C. Teams


WALES 

15 Leigh Halfpenny, 14 Alex Cuthbert, 13 Jonathan Davies, 12 Jamie Roberts, 11 George North, 10 Dan Biggar, 9 Rhys Webb, 8 Ross Moriarty, 7 Justin Tipuric, 6 Dan Lydiate, 5 Luke Charteris, 4 Bradley Davies, 3 Samson Le, 2 Ken Owens, 1 Gethin Jenkins

Replacements: 16 Scott Baldwin, 17 Nicky Smith, 18 Tomas Francis, 19 Cory Hill, 20 James King, 21 Gareth Davies, 22 Sam Davies, 23 Hallam Amos

AUSTRALIA  

15 Israel Folau, 14 Dane Haylett-Petty, 13 Tevita Kuridrani, 12 Reece Hodge, 11 Henry Speight, 10 Bernard Foley, 9 Nick Phipps, 8 Lopeti Timani, 7 Michael Hooper, 6 David Pocock, 5 Adam Coleman, 4 Rory Arnold, 3 Sekope Kepu, 2 Stephen Moore (c), 1 Scott Sio

Replacements: 16 Tolu Latu, 17 James Slipper, 18 Allan Alaalatoa, 19 Rob Simmons, 20 Scott Fardy, 21 Nick Frisby, 22 Quade Cooper, 23 Sefa Naivalu

Aye, no need to break him too early, maybe get him training with the 6 Nations squad next year.

George Carlin wrote:The hype about Giles is becoming deafening.

If L Williams is not fit, will he play and should he play?

You haven't heard of Ashton Hewitt?

George Carlin wrote:Can Moriarty really not play at 8? Most blindsides can deputise there to an extent.

It does show how special Falatau is that there really isn't another comparable replacement in terms of quality.

It's an issue you get in many teams. The coach is tempted to keep picking a player but means that strength in depth is ignored.

Faletau has been a key member of the Welsh side in the last few years, he's undroppable and he's stayed relatively fit.

It means that no one else gets an option to stake a claim. Sometimes an injury can be a blessing in disguise to build strength in depth.

Wales haven't needed another 8 till now.

If Wales struggle without Faletau it will be like a SOS call - another no 8 needed urgently!

I genuinely can't remember the last time Faletau was injured - when he was with the Dragons he always wanted to play the next game after a test match. Its bizarre how Bath broke him so quickly.

munkian wrote:I genuinely can't remember the last time Faletau was injured - when he was with the Dragons he always wanted to play the next game after a test match.  Its bizarre how Bath broke him so quickly.

Perhaps the lack of rest contributed to Faletau's injury? Has he had a proper break?

This injury will at least allow Faletau to put up his feet for once. Not ideal in the short term but good for his well being IMO.

Squad announcement pushed back to Thursday but there is a press conference still at 1300 today.

French media reporting Will Genia will not be released for the game. I didnt think he figured much these days anyway ?

AWJ expected to be named as captain surely? No disrespect to Warburton who I think is a superb captain and player, but AWJ is playing and leading on a regular basis.

Well, as Warbs is injured its unlikely to be taken as disrespect.

I'd stick with AWJ as captain for the series. It's unfortunate but Warbs can't keep coming back into the starting XV and leading when he spends so much time on the medics table.

He has done for most of his career - its unlikely to change now.

AWJ pulls out of Aus game due to the death of his Father - absolutely gutted for him

Surely Wales must win this one? 11 defeats on the trot v Australia. That's almost as bad as England's current dry spell v South Africa.

Wales by 10.

Without AWJ ? Hmmm, maybe - he deserves to be on the pitch if we do though.

He is great player and has already tasted victory v Australia as captain of the Lions so I wouldn't be too worried about him.

GunsGerms wrote:He is great player and has already tasted victory v Australia as captain of the Lions so I wouldn't be too worried about him.

This is true. And yes, we really really should aim to win this one - I was at the last one in 2008 and its not even funny anymore.

Some of the last 11 games v Australia definitely should have won. 7 of them were lost by within one score and the rest by not much more. It is a joke that Wales didn't win a couple of them IMO.

I think the issue may have been Wales under Gatland can be quite predictable sometimes.

There is not a snowballs chance in hell we will win on Saturday. We do not have the mental edge. Although I would happily be proved wrong.

munkian wrote:AWJ pulls out of Aus game due to the death of his Father - absolutely gutted for him

Yes just seen this, truly awful news for the Jones family, come on Wales do it for Al

LordDowlais wrote:There is not a snowballs chance in hell we will win on Saturday. We do not have the mental edge. Although I would happily be proved wrong.

Thats a bit ridiculous to be honest - there's every chance we'll win. I just hope there's enough leaders on the pitch.

LordDowlais wrote:There is not a snowballs chance in hell we will win on Saturday. We do not have the mental edge. Although I would happily be proved wrong.

You will win if you play the right game plan IMO. Australia aren't that good.

GunsGerms wrote:You will win if you play the right game plan IMO. Australia aren't that good.

how long have we been saying this for though ?

wayne wrote:

munkian wrote:AWJ pulls out of Aus game due to the death of his Father - absolutely gutted for him

Yes just seen this, truly awful news for the Jones family, come on Wales do it for Al

Ah, not good and also gutted for him. We'll certainly miss him. Knowing him he would have wanted to play in spite of the tragic news, but it's for the best that he remains with his family. See you next weekend AWJ!

GunsGerms wrote:Some of the last 11 games v Australia definitely should have won. 7 of them were lost by within one score and the rest by not much more. It is a joke that Wales didn't win a couple of them IMO.

I think the issue may have been Wales under Gatland can be are quite very predictable sometimes all the time.

Agreed.

Who will be our boiler house pairing ?

Bradley Davies and Luke Charteris, with Rory Thornton on the bench ? Please don't say we can play King in there.

Or Hill...

Ball will be the one on the bench if his ribs are recovered by Thursday. It is likely to be Charteris and Davies starting at lock.

Is Skelton back ?

Going to Sarries I think. He's pretty useless.

AWJ missing due to the death of his dad sadly.

Cheers 7.5, but you're a few hours too late! See earlier in the thread (from 4ish onwards). Sad news though

On another note: I've just been looking at the AI fixtures. Which game is Wales supposed to be playing outside the international window? All I've heard is how Wales has been selfish, money grabbing, not taking player welfare into account, not respecting the club game, etc., etc., which I don't necessarily disagree with, but other international teams are playing the same weekends as us too! The first weekend, which I thought was the one outside the window sees Arg v Japan midweek, Wales v Aus along with Baa Baa v SA and Ire vs NZ. Only England seem stuck out on their own playing a game against Oz on the 3rd Dec. Isn't that outside the window too? So is it other nations flouting the window as well?

Griff wrote:Cheers 7.5, but you're a few hours too late! See earlier in the thread (from 4ish onwards). Sad news though

On another note: I've just been looking at the AI fixtures. Which game is Wales supposed to be playing outside the international window? All I've heard is how Wales has been selfish, money grabbing, not taking player welfare into account, not respecting the club game, etc., etc., which I don't necessarily disagree with, but other international teams are playing the same weekends as us too!  The first weekend, which I thought was the one outside the window sees Arg v Japan midweek, Wales v Aus along with Baa Baa v SA and Ire vs NZ. Only England seem stuck out on their own playing a game against Oz on the 3rd Dec. Isn't that outside the window too? So is it other nations flouting the window as well?  

This weekend is outside the window. When the unions contract the players - or pay to get them released like England do - then release is not a problem. However, a whole host of Japanese players aren't available this weekend, including captain Michael Leitch. Stade have refused to release Will Genia, while only a change of heart by the Premiership clubs sees England-based Welsh players available to face the Wallabies.

List of players released from the Wales squad for this weekend.

Cardiff Blues:
Rhys Gill, Scott Andrews, Kristian Dacey, Ellis Jenkins*, Sam Warburton, Lloyd Williams and Rhun Williams.*

Ospreys:
Keelan Giles*

Newport Gwent Dragons:
Harrison Keddie*

Scarlets
Sweet sod all.

What players were you expecting back ? Ken is nailed on, Ball and Sanjay if not injured are nailed on, SW the same ?

Technically, only the Blues have had players released from the squad.

Munk, to be honest I wasn't expecting any. The players we have in the squad are all likely test 23 (or in kit ready reserves). And like Luckless said to be honest it is only the Blues who have players released to them.

Is there anyone else who the Wales squad could have afforded to release this week? Last week I'd have said a few but this week I'm not sure there'd be any.

I would've said Hill but as Ball is touch and go (heh) and AWJ out I can see the reasons for keeping him.

They may release more when the announce the squad depending on the fitness of Sanjay and Ripper.

Munkian, I think even then you would want to keep hold of a few extra bodies, in case they pull out in the warm ups. Thinking about it, I am surprised that Gill, Andrews, Dacey and Lloyd Williams have been released as they are all cover for specialist positions, so I would have assumed that they would be keep to be 'on site' cover too.

Quite canny of Danny Wilson to complain about scheduling the other week...

ScarletSpiderman wrote:Munkian, I think even then you would want to keep hold of a few extra bodies, in case they pull out in the warm ups.  Thinking about it, I am surprised that Gill, Andrews, Dacey and Lloyd Williams have been released as they are all cover for specialist positions, so I would have assumed that they would be keep to be 'on site' cover too.

Yeah, agreed LP.

I'm gonna be mostly Australian this weekend.
Well others can switch nationality as required, so g'day mate!

What with Sam Warburton being ruled out this week end. And Alun Wyn missing the game due to his father passing away. Who will be Captain for this game?

Gethin Jenkins probably.

When are teams due to be announced?

Apparently Folau could be lining up at centre!

Wales are today at 11, I think.

I reckon it will be Gethin, hes had the honour before.

You've got to be kidding me......Cuthbert!!!!!!!!!!

Liam Williams is out.

15. Leigh Halfpenny (Toulon) (62 Caps), 14. Alex Cuthbert (Cardiff Blues) (42 Caps), 13. Jonathan Davies (Scarlets) (56 Caps), 12. Jamie Roberts (Harlequins) (83 Caps), 11. George North (Northampton Saints) (62 Caps), 10. Dan Biggar (Ospreys) (48 Caps), 9. Rhys Webb (Ospreys) (22 Caps), 1. Gethin Jenkins (Cardiff Blues) (126 Caps) (CAPTAIN), 2. Ken Owens (Scarlets) (42 Caps), 3. Samson Lee (Scarlets) (26 Caps), 4. Bradley Davies (Ospreys) (56 Caps), 5. Luke Charteris (Bath Rugby) (68 Caps), 6. Dan Lydiate (Ospreys) (57 Caps), 7. Justin Tipuric (Ospreys) (43 Caps), 8. Ross Moriarty (Gloucester) (9 Caps)

True Raven wrote:You've got to be kidding me......Cuthbert!!!!!!!!!!

Not that surprising - Amos can cover wing and 15