The key game!

[normanski]

Three days away from the big one! Our RWC future hinges on this match.

QBE computers are predicting a very close game - 22-21 - in Wales’s favour. It’s really too close to call.

All I can do it put my trust in Gatland’s judgement and the fitness and skills of the match day 23.

My big fear is that our bench is little suspect to keep the intensity going, especially at prop.

Looking forward to the team announcement.

[Numbers]

Do you know when they're announcing the team?

[normanski]

Do you know when they're announcing the team?

No, but I guess it will be tomorrow 48 hours before kickoff.

[francoisfou]

Teams for Wales v Australia:

Australia: 15-Dane Haylett-Petty, 14-Adam Ashley-Cooper, 13-James O’Connor, 12-Samu Kerevi, 11-Marika Koroibete, 10-Bernard Foley, 9-Will Genia, 8-Isi Naisarani, 7-Michael Hooper (captain), 6-David Pocock, 5-Rory Arnold, 4-Izack Rodda, 3-Allan Alaalatoa, 2-Tolu Latu, 1-Scott Sio. Replacements: 16-Jordan Uelese, 17-James Slipper, 18-Sekope Kepu, 19-Adam Coleman, 20-Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 21-Nic White, 22-Matt Toomua, 23-Kurtley Beale.

Wales: 15-Liam Williams, 14-George North, 13-Jonathan Davies, 12-Hadleigh Parkes, 11-Josh Adams, 10-Dan Biggar, 9-Gareth Davies, 8-Josh Navidi, 7-Justin Tipuric, 6- Aaron Wainwright, 5-Alun Wyn Jones, 4-Jake Ball, 3-Tomas Francis, 2-Ken Owens, 1-Wyn Jones. Replacements: 16-Elliot Dee, 17-Nicky Smith, 18-Dillon Lewis, 19-Aaron Shingler, 20-Ross Moriarty, 21-Tomos Williams, 22-Rhys Patchell, 23-Owen Watkin.

Referee : Romain Poite (Fr)

This may well be the match of the tournament up to now. Wales' record against Oz isn't good but that won't count for much on Sunday in what should be a match too close to call, But for what it's worth, I'm going with Wales by 3 or 4 points.

[Lizard]

So Aussie are playing a 35-year old on the wing. I’m guessing the ball wont often be getting wider than Kerevi on the right.

[normanski]

[quote="francoisfou"]

Referee : Romain Poite (Fr)

After issuing two yellow cards against Samoa, where the head-high tackles were justifiably red cards and the players now cited, I hope Poite under pressure from RWC does not go in the opposite direction and penalise very borderline tackles with red.

It could spoil what in prospect is the best game of the weekend.

[bruce]

So Aussie are playing a 35-year old on the wing. I’m guessing the ball wont often be getting wider than Kerevi on the right.

Is that all he is, I would have thought older..

[Mikey Brown]

Seems odd to me neither Beale (especially to allow for an ancient, out of position AAC), Toomua or Moriarty are starting. Not followed their recent form though.

[Sandydragon]

With the Pooper back row combo, we need to be on the money with our ball retention.

[Graigwen]

Interesting that we seem to have nothing to discuss in advance of this game. Team selection was uncontentious. We can lose this game and still progress.

I agree with Normanski "Three days away from the big one! Our RWC future hinges on this match."

Georgia v Uruguay is a very watchable game. 12:7 at half time with the Georgia scrum completely on top and Wayne Barnes contributing to the game by not sending any of the Uruguay front row off despite persistant collapses. (I am not sure starting to drink beer at 5.50am will turn out to have been a good idea,)

[Mellsblue]

How is that not a yellow?

[canta_brian]

I’d like to see that at full speed before deciding on yellow

[Spy]

How is that not a yellow?

TMO said not high and arm involved. Not sure about either of those. Looked like a high, late shoulder to me.

[Mellsblue]

How is that not a yellow?

TMO said not high and arm involved. Not sure about either of those. Looked like a high, late shoulder to me.

Definitely late, for me. He didn’t commit until after the pass. Thought height was borderline but ok.

[Sandydragon]

FFS, our scrum is just not working right. Aussie try resulting from a demolition job on our ball.

[Donny osmond]

How is that not a yellow?

TMO said not high and arm involved. Not sure about either of those. Looked like a high, late shoulder to me.

Definitely late, for me. He didn’t commit until after the pass. Thought height was borderline but ok.

Was def a yellow

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[Sandydragon]

How is that not a yellow?

TMO said not high and arm involved. Not sure about either of those. Looked like a high, late shoulder to me.

Borderline but lucky.

[Sandydragon]

And Biggar might be injured. And our line out has gone to rat shit. Ho hum.

[bruce]

Garces is woeful.

[bruce]

as is our defence

[bruce]

Garces is woeful.

Poite even..

[Mellsblue]

Another forearm to the chest getting no censure.

[Mellsblue]

Might’ve spoken too early.

[canta_brian]

Another forearm to the chest getting no censure.

Hold that thought

[Mikey Brown]

I hate those.