
On the surface it might look like there’s not a lot for the Wallabies to play for in this game – the Grand Slam is long gone and there’s not exactly a winning record to protect. I suspect there may also be more than a few players, coaches and administrators fantasizing about the end of season sun back home.
But those are dangerous thoughts to have before a game that will dictate the whole complexion of this tour. A win, and this is a reasonably successful trip, with just one loss (let’s just forget against who…). A loss, and this Grand Sham will morph into a clusterfuck delux, on top of which Robbie and his Wallabies will create the worst yearly winning record at 36%, since 1989 (33%).
So what’s it to be?
Well if recent history and form are anything to go by, the Wallabies will create half a dozen scoring opportunities and maybe take one. Gits will kick around half his chances. Wales, on the other hand, have a number of seasoned campaigners and certified finishers in their rank; exemplified none better than by a certain Shane Williams. For me he is the embodiment of a true rugby winger – the pace, the step, the nose for space. A thrill to watch. I expect him to make like Sivivatu against the Wallabies and prove a handful all night.
The market has the Wallabies by slight margin; $1.96 to $2.18. Perhaps what it’s seen is that Robbie is at least able to field his strongest team on tour, with Palu, Robinson and Ioane proving fit. For me though, this game represents a final step in mental strength that this Wallaby team has repeatedly fallen short of all year.
Gagger says: Wales by 1
15. Adam Ashley-CooperΒ Β Β (Brumbies)
14. Peter HynesΒ Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β (Queensland Reds)
13. Digby IoaneΒ Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β (Queensland Reds)
12. Quade CooperΒ Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β (Queensland Reds)
11. Drew MitchellΒ Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β (NSW Waratahs)
10. Matt GiteauΒ Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β (Brumbies)
9. Will GeniaΒ Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β (Queensland Reds)
8. Wycliff PaluΒ Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β (NSW Waratahs)
7. David PocockΒ Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β (Western Force)
6. Rocky ElsomΒ Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β (Brumbies, captain)
5. Dean MummΒ Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β (NSW Waratahs)
4. James HorwillΒ Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β (Queensland Reds)
3. Ben AlexanderΒ Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β (Brumbies)
2. Stephen MooreΒ Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β (Brumbies)
1. Benn RobinsonΒ Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β (NSW Waratahs)
Run on reserves:
16. Tatafu Polota-NauΒ Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β (NSW Waratahs)
17. Matt DunningΒ Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β (Western Force)
18. Mark ChisholmΒ Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β (Brumbies)
19. George SmithΒ Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β (Brumbies)
20. Luke BurgessΒ Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β (NSW Waratahs)
21. James OβConnorΒ Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β (Western Force)
22. Kurtley BealeΒ Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β (NSW Waratahs)
Wales: James Hook, Leigh Halfpenny, Jamie Roberts, Jonathan Davies, Shane Williams, Stephen Jones, Dwayne Peel, Ryan Jones (capt), Martyn Williams, Andy Powell, Luke Charteris, Alun-Wyn Jones, Paul James, Matthew Rees, Gethin Jenkins. Reserves: Huw Bennett, Duncan Jones, Jonathan Thomas, Dan Lydiate, Martin Roberts, Andrew Bishop, Tom James.