Rugby Union - Wales v Australia

28 November 2009

Preview By Tipster Jumbo (New Zealand)

Wales are having a good International season despite losing to the All Blacks 2 games ago and will be looking to win another match today.

Wales have made just one change to his starting lineup for this weekend recalling Sale scrumhalf Dwayne Peel to the team in the absence of Gareth Cooper. The only other changes to the match day 22 come on the bench with second rower Jonathan Thomas coming in for the injured Davies and Martin Roberts filling in the backup scrumhalf slot. Wales had a fairly interesting 33-16 victory over Argentina last weekend and are sure to go this match full of confidence looking to repeat their success from last year when they defeated the Southern Hemisphere side. Davies continues at centre with Roberts, following his debut last weekend while, match-winner, Stephen Jones will partner Peel in the halfback positions. Peel, who missed the test against New Zealand comes into the team with Cooper being released to play for the Cardiff Blues against the Wallabies on Tuesday night. Hook continues to fill in at fullback in the absence of Byrne while Paul James continues to hold off the challenge of Duncan Jones for the No.3 jersey. Wales have beaten Australia twice and registered one draw in their last six meetings, Wales comes into the final game of their November series on the back of successive wins over Samoa and Argentina after starting off with a 19-12 loss to New Zealand.

The Wallabies have a few changes to their side for this weeks match, with Dean Mumm captain of Australia's midweek team rewarded with a place in the starting side on Saturday. Mumm led the Wallabies to a 31-3 win over the Cardiff Blues on Tuesday and has relegated Mark Chisholm to the bench, Robbie Deans has made two other changes to the team beaten 9-8 by Scotland last weekend. David Pocock is in for George Smith while in the backs Ioane is at outside centre as he replaces Ryan Cross. Scrumhalf Will Genia, No 8 Palu and loose head prop Robinson have all been passed fit to play after coming through Thursday's training session, while, Beale is on the bench after scoring two tries against Cardiff Blues and could win his first Test cap this weekend.Australia lost last year's corresponding fixture against Wales 21-18 ,There are only six survivors in the Australia starting side from the team that played Wales last year in Ioane, Drew Mitchell, Peter Hynes, Matt Giteau, Stephen Moore and Robinson. Australia arrived in Europe looking to take out the Grand Slam, But after a 18-9 win over England, they then drew 20-20 against Six Nations champions Ireland and then came the shock loss to Scotland. Australia have won just five of their 13 Tests this year so they will have a losing record for 2009, which is unfortunate after they started the season so well.

These two sides have played 28 times with Wales winning only 10 of those matches, Wales won the last match played between these two sides in 2008 at the Millennium Stadium 21-18 but had lost their previous meeting at home against the Australians while drawing the other, Wales are 2-1-1 in their last 4 at home against the Wallabies.

Wales are playing well even though they were a bit dodgy last weekend against the Pumas and they enter this game with their confidence intact, they have gotten better with each passing game and will want another win here today, meanwhile the Wallabies are really beat up and have been blasted through the media being labelled as the worst Wallaby Side ever, I could name a few Wallabies sides that are far worse than this one this season though, but results measure success and this season has been a nightmare for the Wallabies, so in some ways it is fitting that they play this game having lost so many players to Injury.

I think the Wallabies even missing players will show up here after the week they have had and make a real contest of this game, Wales should be to good though and I expect them to pull away and win by 8….Good Luck.