The last game for the Wallabies erratic 2013 season is lining up to be a cracker and neither teams are taking this test lightly.
If the Wallabies win this weekend against Wales, it will be the first time since 2008 they have won four matches in a row.
If they lose they will be the only Wallaby team to lose 9 games in a calendar year and they will return to 4th on the IRB rankings.
McKenzie has likened their 5 match Spring tour to the World Cup in two years time which will be hosted by England where they will play demanding games week in week out, including matches against England and Wales in the pool stage. He has urged his players to treat this weekend’s game as “a World Cup final”.
Australia have recalled Adam Ashley-Cooper and Nick Cummins after serving their one match suspension. Tatafu Polota-Nau and Ben Robinson are also recalled to the bench. Quade Cooper will earn his 50th test cap.
Head to Head
Wales have selected 10 British and Irish Lions to play this week despite the absence of Jonathan Davies, Jamie Roberts and Adams Jones. They are high on confidence after the Lions demolished the Wallabies 41-16 in the final test of the series yet Wales have failed to defeat the Wallabies in their last 8 encounters dating back to 2008.
Overall the two teams have played 36 times. Australia have won 25 times, Wales have won 10 times and there has been one draw.
Key Match-Ups
Richard Hibbard vs Stephen Moore
Richard Hibbard has had a lot to say this week. Hibbard likened the Lions comprehensive victory over Australia earlier this year to what needs to be done this weekend. He has called on his team to be ferocious and physical to such an extent that he would be willing to “crawl off” Millennium Stadium. Despite talking up his team’s chances, Hibbard has also been in good form with strong recent performances against South Africa and Argentina.
His opposite number is also in good form. In the last 3 matches Stephen Moore has been voted 2nd, 1st and 4th best player by the fans on G&GR. It should be a great battle up front.
Joe Tomane vs George North
George North was a handful when he came to Australia for the Lions tour and he has continued to be a handful over the last few weeks. His try against Argentina was brilliant. During the Lions Series we were entertained by the battle between North and folau but this time he comes up against Joe Tomane. Tomane was quiet last weekend against the Scots but has the potential to finish off some good tries.
Crystal Ball
The Welsh and the Aussies have got to know each other very well over the past few seasons. Despite the Wallabies recent dominance, all the matches have been tightly contested and has only been decided by a few points. The bookmakers have the Wallabies as favourites but Wales will be desperate for revenge after letting the game slip in the last minute in their last encounter at the end of last year.
Wales by 3.
The Teams
[one_half last=”no”]
Wales
15. Leigh Halfpenny
14. Alex Cuthbert
13. Owen Williams
12. Scott Williams
11. George North
10. Dan Biggar
9. Mike Phillips
8. Toby Faletau
7. Sam Warburton (C)
6. Dan Lydiate
5. Ian Evans
4. Alun Wyn Jones
3. Rhodri Jones
2. Richard Hibbard
1. Gethin Jenkins.
Reserves:
16. Ken Owens
17. Ryan Bevington
18. Samson Lee
19. Ryan Jones
20. Justin Tipuric
21. Rhodri Williams
22. Rhys Priestland
23. Liam Williams.[/one_half]
[one_half last=”yes”]
Australia
15. Israel Folau
14. Joe Tomane
13. Adam Ashley-Cooper
12. Christian Leali’lifano
11. Nick Cummins
10. Quade Cooper
9. Will Genia
8. Ben Mowen (C)
7. Michael Hooper
6. Scott Fardy
5. James Horwill
4. Rob Simmons
3. Sekope Kepu
2. Stephen Moore
1. James Slipper.
Reserves:
16. Tatafu Polota-Nau
17. Benn Robinson
18. Ben Alexander
19. Kane Douglas
20. Dave Dennis
21. Nic White
22. Mike Harris
23. Bernard Foley
[/one_half]
