Friday, November 28, 2008

Wales v Australia (Sat)

WALES v AUSTRALIA
Venue: Millennium Stadium Date: Saturday, 29 November Kick-off: 1430 GMT Coverage: Watch live on BBC One & online, listen to live commentary on BBC Radio Wales, BBC Radio Cymru & BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra, live text commentary online

Wales v Australia
Wales are seeking a rare southern hemisphere scalp

Wales will be looking to end an autumn of southern hemisphere dominance and claim a rare Tri-Nations scalp when Australia visit the Millennium Stadium.

But the Wallabies want a European clean sweep for the first time since 1996.

Wales recall Mark Jones and Ian Gough, Australia bring in Richard Brown, Phil Waugh, Mark Chisholm, Luke Burgess and Ryan Cross for their final 2008 Test.

As an added fillip, Wales could make the top four seeds for Monday's World Cup draw if they win by over 15 points.

606: DEBATE
Should they achieve that landmark and if England lose to New Zealand at Twickenham on Saturday, Wales would take Argentina's fourth spot in the International Rugby Board rankings.

That would see them in a group at the 2011 New Zealand World Cup that would avoid the All Blacks, Australia and South Africa.

But Warren Gatland is more likely to simply be targeting a first win as Wales coach against a southern hemisphere side, a victory that would be just Wales' third against the Tri-Nations giants in 21 years.

We are well aware how keen they are to pick up a Tri-Nations scalp

Australia coach Robbie Deans
"The most important thing is to get a result if we can," said Gatland, whose Grand Slam-winning side have failed to score a try in defeats by South Africa and New Zealand this November.

"We want to achieve consistency, and any rise up the world rankings would certainly be a reflection that we may be going in the right direction.

"We want to play the best teams regularly in order to improve ourselves and raise our own standards.

"The statistics say Australia are a better team and they will rightly carry the favourites' tag, but we have the opportunity to achieve something special out of this autumn campaign.

RECENT MEETINGS
Sept 07: Wal 20-32 Oz (WC)
June 07: Oz 31-0 Wal
May 07: Oz 29-23 Wal
Nov 06: Wal 29-29 Oz
Nov 05: Wal 24-22 Oz
"It is a chance we do not want to miss."

The Wallabies, who will be playing their 14th Test of the year, will be motivated by the prospect of going through Europe unbeaten after wins over Italy, England and France.

"Wales have shown throughout the course of this year that they are a world-class side," said their Kiwi coach Robbie Deans, who has had a hugely impressive first season in charge.

"First of all they picked up the Six Nations title, and while they will probably be frustrated from a results perspective with the matches against South Africa and New Zealand, they've shown within each game that they are genuinely world class.

"What makes them really dangerous this week is they are very hungry to show that. We are well aware how keen they are to pick up a Tri-Nations scalp.

"They know they are getting close, and they will see us as an opportunity to complete the package.

"There is no doubt this will be our toughest game in Europe."

Should both Australia and New Zealand win on Saturday, the Tri Nations sides will have won every Test against northern hemisphere opposition this autumn.


Wales: Lee Byrne (Ospreys); Mark Jones (Scarlets), Tom Shanklin (Cardiff Blues), Jamie Roberts (Cardiff Blues), Shane Williams (Ospreys), Stephen Jones (Scarlets), Gareth Cooper (Gloucester); Gethin Jenkins (Cardiff Blues), Matthew Rees (Scarlets), Adam Jones (Ospreys), Ian Gough (Ospreys), Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys), Ryan Jones (Ospreys, capt), Martyn Williams (Cardiff Blues), Andy Powell (Cardiff Blues).
Replacements: Richard Hibbard (Ospreys), John Yapp (Cardiff Blues), Luke Charteris (Newport Gwent Dragons), Dafydd Jones (Scarlets), Martin Roberts (Scarlets), James Hook (Ospreys), Andrew Bishop (Ospreys).

Australia: Drew Mitchell (Western Force); Peter Hynes (Queensland Reds), Ryan Cross (Western Force), Stirling Mortlock (Brumbies, capt), Digby Ioane (Queensland Reds); Matt Giteau (Western Force), Luke Burgess (NSW Waratahs); Benn Robinson (NSW Waratahs), Stephen Moore (Queensland Reds), Al Baxter (NSW Waratahs), Mark Chisholm (Brumbies), Nathan Sharpe (Western Force), Hugh McMeniman (Queensland Reds), Phil Waugh (NSW Waratahs), Richard Brown (Western Force).
Replacements: Adam Freier (NSW Waratahs), Matt Dunning (NSW Waratahs), Dean Mumm (NSW Waratahs), George Smith (Brumbies), Sam Cordingley (Queensland Reds), Quade Cooper (Queensland Reds), Lote Tuqiri (NSW Waratahs)/Adam Ashley-Cooper (Brumbies).

Referee: Allan Lewis (IRFU)

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