Wales v Wallabies

[Lizard]

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)
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)

REPLACEMENTS:
16. Scott Baldwin (Ospreys) (24 Caps)
17. Nicky Smith (Ospreys) (3 Caps)
18. Tomas Francis (Exeter Chiefs) (14 Caps)
19. Cory Hill (Newport Gwent Dragons) (UNCAPPED)
20. James King (Ospreys) (8 Caps)
21. Gareth Davies (Scarlets) (17 Caps)
22. Sam Davies (Ospreys) (UNCAPPED)
23. Hallam Amos (Newport Gwent Dragons) (10 Caps)

[stud muffin]

Our most creative and dangerous runner being out is a huge blow. Halfpenny is a fantastic defensive fullback but offensively he can't begin to match Sanjay.

I fear this will be rugby by numbers, which hasn't worked for years, unless Tips can make something happen!!!

[stud muffin]

Glad to see Sam Davies on the bench though (As long as he doesn't cover full back)

[Numbers]

Cuthbert ffs.

[Lizard]

And not a single Jones.

[Numbers]

Australia: Israel Folau, Dane Haylett-Petty, Tevita Kuridrania, Reece Hodge, Henry Speight, Bernard Foley, Nick Phipps, Scott Sio, Stephen Moore (c), Sekope Kepu, Rory Arnold, Adam Coleman, David Pocock, Michael Hooper, Lopeti Timani.

Replacements Tolu Latu, James Slipper, Allan Alaalatoa, Rob Simmons, Scott Fardy, Nick Frisby, Quade Cooper, Sefa Naivalu

I've never seen either of the locks play before.

[WaspInWales]

Decent Welsh team, bench is good but a little raw. Fancy Wales to win this. The Aussies are in a bit of a state at the moment.

[Sandydragon]

Real shame that Liam isn't available. Otherwise, it's a strong team considering availability. I just hope Sam Davies can get a decent run out at fly half.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[ALunpg]

I am quite ok with Halfpenny at 15 ,i would have wanted a combination ow Williams 1/2p rather than Cuthbert .

But it is only a few years ago this was our first choice back 3 and centres, so I think its all ok there at the frong row is solid .It will be interesting to see how Wales perform without Falateu ,he has been a fixture for a while.
So lots of changes but a lot of ."as you were", but Sam Davies could be the revelation on the day.

[Son of Mathonwy]

Real shame about Liam. But why Cuthbert is starting (or is even in the 23) is beyond me. Amos surely has done more than enough to deserve this spot.
Hope Sam Davies gets a chance at fly half at some point, rather than centre or full back cover.
I haven't seen what Moriarty's like this season, so hope he does well at 8. Does he often play in that position?

I expect Australia will win this, unless Howley's decided to try something a little different.

[Numbers]

Real shame about Liam. But why Cuthbert is starting (or is even in the 23) is beyond me. Amos surely has done more than enough to deserve this spot.
Hope Sam Davies gets a chance at fly half at some point, rather than centre or full back cover.
I haven't seen what Moriarty's like this season, so hope he does well at 8. Does he often play in that position?

I expect Australia will win this, unless Howley's decided to try something a little different.

His ball carrying has been very good for Glos so should fit in at 8 fine.

[morepork]

Australia: Israel Folau, Dane Haylett-Petty, Tevita Kuridrania, Reece Hodge, Henry Speight, Bernard Foley, Nick Phipps, Scott Sio, Stephen Moore (c), Sekope Kepu, Rory Arnold, Adam Coleman, David Pocock, Michael Hooper, Lopeti Timani.

Replacements Tolu Latu, James Slipper, Allan Alaalatoa, Rob Simmons, Scott Fardy, Nick Frisby, Quade Cooper, Sefa Naivalu

I've never seen either of the locks play before.

They are pretty average. Gangly pantomime villain type characters.


The half back, Nick Phipps, is terrible and will do something astronomically stupid if you get in his face.

[Sourdust]

That ¾line looks quite tasty...

The Aussies have been informed we're playing this match in 2012, right?

[joshfishkins]

I am quite ok with Halfpenny at 15 ,i would have wanted a combination ow Williams 1/2p rather than Cuthbert .

But it is only a few years ago this was our first choice back 3 and centres, so I think its all ok there at the frong row is solid .It will be interesting to see how Wales perform without Falateu ,he has been a fixture for a while.
So lots of changes but a lot of ."as you were", but Sam Davies could be the revelation on the day.

That's the problem though isn't it. Other sides are building now towards the next world cup. I would have been tempted to start Williams instead of Roberts (I know its a big call, but we know what Roberts can do and he will be 33 at the next WC - it think). I definitely wouldn't have Cuthbert there, I'd have started Amos. The pack kind of picks itself with no Sam or Alun Wyn. You just know Howler would have started Sam despite Tipuric's awesome form so far this season.

[Spiffy]

Halfpenny to boot Wales to victory.

[ALunpg]

I am quite ok with Halfpenny at 15 ,i would have wanted a combination ow Williams 1/2p rather than Cuthbert .

But it is only a few years ago this was our first choice back 3 and centres, so I think its all ok there at the frong row is solid .It will be interesting to see how Wales perform without Falateu ,he has been a fixture for a while.
So lots of changes but a lot of ."as you were", but Sam Davies could be the revelation on the day.

That's the problem though isn't it. Other sides are building now towards the next world cup. I would have been tempted to start Williams instead of Roberts (I know its a big call, but we know what Roberts can do and he will be 33 at the next WC - it think). I definitely wouldn't have Cuthbert there, I'd have started Amos. The pack kind of picks itself with no Sam or Alun Wyn. You just know Howler would have started Sam despite Tipuric's awesome form so far this season.

You may be right to consider the exchange of Williams for Roberts somewhere as he is a proven fine player ..no doubts from me.
I just have not yet seen Amos make me think the same way. If both Liam and Scott Williams are fit neither Cuthbert or Amos would be in the 23 . For the next WC the Wales wing birth will most likely belong to some new players other than Cuthbert or Amos ... of course I could be proven 100% wrong ..again.

[Sandydragon]

If his development continues as it has, Gilles will be on the wing for Wales soon enough.

[wayneha50]

if we kick the ball away at every opportunity I think the Wallabies will win comfortably. Hopefully the long-awaited 'Wales Plan B' will be unleashed but looking at that backline I imagine it will be to run into 3/4 Australian defenders pedestrianly & hope that somehow works despite all evidence to the contrary.

[stud muffin]

Wales suffer dramatic late injury blow as Jonathan Davies pulls out of Australia match hours before kick off

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugb ... y-12131736

Scott Williams comes in at 13

Bit of a blow, hoping Williams is fully fit

[Buggaluggs]

Aus 172 meters
Wal 0

zero?

[Ross. S]

This is gonna be carnage

[wayneha50]

Aus 172 meters
Wal 0

zero?

lucky to have zero

[wayneha50]

its like attack v defence

[stud muffin]

This is embarrassing at the moment. men against boys. Lets see how quick we can give the ball to Australia!!

[Mr Mwenda]

Always amazed at how oftwn pro rugby players fail to execute two v ones.