Preview: Australia v Wales

Despite touring nations struggling to make ends meet with their second and third tier sides, Australia certainly won’t be underestimating their Northern Hemisphere opponents as they prepare to take on Wales in the eagerly awaited second Test at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane on Saturday.

And rightly so as the Wallabies await a determined Wales side out for justice after they were denied their first win on Australia soil since 1969, thanks to a match-winning try by Stephen Hoiles after the full-time hooter had sounded last weekend.

The last-gasp victory was a relief for the Wallabies and their home fans in Sydney, while at the same time heartbreaking for the Welsh and their supporters.

There were many positives for Wales to take out of their performance last week and the players will surely have renewed self-belief come kick-off on Saturday.

Australia too will have undoubtedly learnt lessons and will come after their visitors with a bit more zest, but Wales know now that they do not fear the two-time rugby world champions and have proved that their players have something to offer as well.

After a truly shocking start to the season last week, the Wallabies will need to show great improvement if they are to convince anyone that they are genuine World Cup contenders this year.

The Welsh showed last week that while they left some big names at home, they still have the talent and depth to be competitive.

Australia coach John “Knuckles” Connolly has also defended the strength of the Welsh squad. What he cannot deny is that they left 18 players at home to prepare for the World Cup, while he and the Wallabies selectors were considerably spoilt for choice.

However both teams have been forced into either replacing or dropping members of their squad this week, while the Australia have been left sweating on their fly-half’s availability with 24 hours to go until kick-off.

For Australia, the most noticeable changes would be wing Mark Gerrard and flanker Phil Waugh making way for Test debutant Digby loane and George Smith respectively.

The Wallabies selectors have correctly stuck with centre Adam Ashley-Cooper in the side – he is potentially Australia’s most damaging back-line player and needs time to develop – while his Brumbies team-mate Julian Huxley also has another chance to shine after a less than convincing debut last week.

Veteran fly-half Stephen Larkham remains in doubt for the Test after looking discomforted at training on Wednesday night as he battles a hamstring strain.

Larkham’s absence will be a huge blow for the home side and a slight bonus for the visitors, though the Wales squad would be best off focussing on their own preparation and not let his presence – or absence – affect their game plan.

Indications are clear that Wales intend on looking after Australia’s novice back three of Test debutant Ioane, one-cap Huxley and eleven-Test left winger Drew Mitchell.

“It can be a lonely place at times, especially when you’re a new cap,” said Wales captain Gareth Thomas.

“If you can find somebody out, you can find them out there.”

For Wales, Aled Brew has been called up to take his place on the wing which means Gareth Thomas moves back to full-back, with Lee Byrne dropping out of the squad altogether. Brew also forces Chris Czekaj over to the left wing.

Then of course there’s the late change at tight-head prop for Wales after Adam Jones was ruled out by a torn calf muscle.

Harlequins prop Ceri Jones gets his first Wales start as pre-match replacement for his Ospreys’ namesake.

And that was not the end of the injury worries for Wales with coach Gareth Jenkins revealing that a back injury sustained by teenage prop Jamie Corsi last week has forced them to call up Worcester’s Chris Horsman.

So both sides certainly have a different look about them from those who battled it out for 80 minutes last week. The big question is who will benefit the most from these changes?

Australia coach John Connolly will be hoping his selection will do a lot better than the Wallabies XV that trudged around the park last week.

This means the untidy play that bored the 40,872 Sydney crowd will have to be eradicated, the handling improved and the messy scrums, collapses and free kicks removed.

If the Australians can cut out the schoolboy errors that nearly cost them the match, then Wales would be up against a much more formidable opposition to the one they faced a week ago.

But of course if Wales learn to play the entire 80 minutes, they too will be a difficult outfit to overcome.

Ones to Watch:

For Australia: Daniel Vickerman’s return to the starting side in the second row provides solidity, while Stephen Larkham (if he plays) is destined to control a backline that lacked the X-factor when these two sides met a week ago. Overall the Australian team is far stronger because of this duo’s experience. Surprise Test debutant Digby Ioane has been talked up as a possible game decider by the Australian coaching staff, and will be out to make a name for himself just like he has done with his Super 14 franchise the Western Force.

For Wales: Wales coach Jenkins has brought Grand Slam skipper Michael Owen into the pack in place of Australia-born Brent Cockbain. Owen deserves his opportunity, having added a new dimension to the Welsh forward play with his creativity and ball-handling ability after coming on last Saturday. Captain courageous Gareth Thomas will be steaming from his side’s loss and what better way to let off some steam than on a humid Brisbane evening?

Head to Head: Stephen Larkham (Australia) versus James Hook (Wales). This promises to be a real cracker of a contest between two world class fly-halves should ‘Bernie’ – as he is known among his team-mates – overcome his ailing hamstring. It will be a real test of character for Hook, who is fast becoming one of the best in the business, against the veteran Larkham who oozes developing legend status.

Prediction: As much as the Welsh may be heaving in confidence at the moment, the benefit of hindsight will result in a more efficient performance from Australia. Wales had their chance last week and unfortunatelly we can’t see the Aussies giving them another one this time round. Australia by more than 10 points.

Past Results:

Jun 2007: Australia won 29-23, Telstra Stadium
Nov 2006: Australia drew with Wales 29-29, Millennium Stadium
Nov 2005: Wales won 24-22, Millennium Stadium
Jun 2003: Australia won 30-10, Stadium Australia
Nov 2001: Australia won 21-13, Millennium Stadium
Oct 1999: Australia won 24-9, Millennium Stadium
Dec 1996: Australia won 28-19, Cardiff Arms Park
Jun 1996: Australia won 42-3, Football Stadium
Jun 1996: Australia won 56-25, Ballymore
Nov 1992: Australia won 23-6, Cardiff Arms Park
Oct 1991: Australia won 38-3, Cardiff Arms Park
Jul 1991: Australia won 63-6, Ballymore
Jun 1987: Wales won 22-21, Rotorua

The teams:

Australia: 15 Julian Huxley, 14 Digby Ioane, 13 Stirling Mortlock (c), 12 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 11 Drew Mitchell, 10 Stephen Larkham, 9 Matt Giteau, 8 Wycliff Palu, 7 George Smith, 6 Rocky Elsom, 5 Dan Vickerman, 4 Nathan Sharpe, 3 Guy Shepherdson, 2 Stephen Moore, 1 Benn Robinson.
Replacements: 16 Adam Freier, 17 Matt Dunning, 18 Mark Chisholm, 19 Stephen Hoiles, 20 Phil Waugh, 21 George Gregan, 22 Mark Gerrard

Wales: 15 Gareth Thomas (c), 14 Chris Czekaj, 13 Jamie Robinson, 12 Sonny Parker, 11 Aled Brew, 10 James Hook, 9 Mike Phillips, 8 Jonathan Thomas, 7 Gavin Thomas, 6 Colin Charvis, 5 Rob Sidoli, 4 Michael Owen, 3 Ceri Jones, 2 Mefin Davies, 1 Iestyn Thomas.

Replacements: 16 Chris Horsman, 17 Richard Hibbard, 18 Scott Morgan, 19 Robin Sowden-Taylor, 20 Andy Williams, 21 Ceri Sweeney, 22 Gavin Henson.

Date: Saturday 2 June
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Kick-off: 20.00 (10.00 GMT)
Referee: Paul Honiss (New Zealand)
Touch judges: Jonathan Kaplan (South Africa), Mark Lawrence (South Africa)
Television match official: Bryce Lawrence (New Zealand)

By Dave Morris