Wales play their second Autumn Nation match tomorrow afternoon against Australia at Principality Stadium (KO: 16:10).
After last Sunday’s defeat against Fiji Gatland’s men will be looking to avoid their 11th consecutive Test defeat. 19 points from Caleb Muntz accompanied by a try from Josua Tuisova saw Mike Byrne’s Fijian side record their first ever win in the Welsh capital and also there first win over Wales since 2007.
That result means that Wales have equaled the number of losses (10) which last came when Steve Hansen was in charge.
The Wallabies on the other hand, come into tomorrow’s game full of confidence after a sensational win at Allianz Stadium (Twickenham) last weekend after a late try from Max Jorgensen. Australia like Wales have had a troubled time in recent times under new head coach Joe Schimdt but after last weekends 42-37 win will add to the confidence of the Wallabies.
After that defeat to Fiji, Wales have made four changes to the starting XV with both Mason Grady (Ankle) and Tomos Williams (Shoulder) being ruled out for the remainder of the Autumn. Both Ellis Bevan and Tom Rogers take their spots respectively in the starting XV.
Tommy Reffell and Taine Plumtree are replaced by Jac Morgan and James Botham as they accompany Aaron Wainwright in the back row. A look at the bench now and Dragons scrum-half Rhodri Williams is named and if he comes off the bench tomorrow he will set a record for the longest interval between Welsh appearances.
Joe Schmidt has added a lot more experience to his side that will be heading to the Welsh capital after trimphing over England.
Both Rob Valetini and Samu Kerevi win their 50th cap and Nic White returns to the starting XV at 9. Will Skelton comes back into the second row to play his first game of 2024 for the Wallabies and after his heroics late on last weekend against England, Max Jorgensen starts. After making his debut in Rugby Union at Allianz stadium Joseph Sua’ali’i drops onto the bench and is replaced by the experienced Samu Kerevi.
Pre-Match Thoughts:
Speaking after Wales’s Captain’s Run at Principality Stadium, Will Rowlands said: “I think it will be a tough game.
“They obviously have been improving a lot in the last 12 months and played well last weekend, they deserved to win against England.
“So I think, yeah tough game for us but really excited, big challenge and I’m looking forward to it.
On what Wales have to improve on from last weekend’s defeat, Rowlands continued: “Probably just the small moments.
“Just a bit more accuracy from us trying to carry that first 20 minutes on and we think we could’ve killed Fiji off to drag that out to the 80 minutes.
“I think we created opportunities, it’s just about relentless and repeatability,” the 6ft 8 lock insisted.
On his opposition, Rowlands said: “Yeah, I think physical. I think they’ll have identified that the maul was an area of strength for us. So they will try to target that, try to limit us there. Otherwise, just (Will) Skelton doing what Skelton always does. Nick Frost, around the park link play, lineup. Hopefully nothing we can’t handle.”
“To be honest, there hasn’t been that much negative energy. I think obviously everyone’s been really disappointed every time we lose and we don’t want to be having lost 10 games on the bounce for sure. But I think the great thing about rugby and professional sport is that every week is a new opportunity,” Rowlands added on the mood in the camp.
“I think it’s obviously something you’re aware of. Results do matter in particularly, well in all sports, particularly in test rugby.
“And as I said, we absolutely don’t want to be here. But to be honest, I think personally I’ve just dialled out from the media this week following last weekend and I’ve just focused on the things that we can control and looking to what we can put into action on the weekend.
Rowlands concluded by adding how delighted he is by seeing former Dragons teammate, Rhodri Williams being named on the bench. “Yeah, really pleased for him.
“It’s been, obviously been a while. So really exciting opportunity for him and great to be back playing with him after a couple of years,” Rowlands concluded.
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