Wales clash with Australia in Rugby World Cup Pool C in Lyon on Sunday, it's a huge game and one which the Wallabies probably have to win to keep their hopes of reaching the knockout rounds alive
Wales v Australia, Saturday 16th September, Lyon, KO 21:00 (South African time)
Referee: Wayne Barnes (RFU)
Assistant Referees: Luke Pearce (RFU), Christophe Ridley (RFU)
TMO: Tom Foley (RFU)
Weather Forecast - Lyon
Wales:
Wales have won both their matches so far and they boast a full house of 10 log points. However, if they lose here they could still be in jeopardy of missing out on a place in the quarter finals with Fiji (6 points from 2 matches) also bang in contention for a top 2 finish.
Wales beat Portugal 28-8 in their second match, they made hard work of it. The margin of victory was lower than the main handicap line of around 30 points and their fourth try which came at the death from Faletau secured what could prove to be an extremely valuable bonus point.
Wales opened their campaign against Fiji. The main handicap line saw them go off 5.5 point favourites and that cap proved to be accurate as they came through with a 32-26 victory. Wales led 18-14 at half time and stretched that lead to 32-14 before Fiji produced a stirring late fightback and the Fijian's could even have snatched victory were it not for a handling error at the end of the game.
After this Wales will finish up against Georgia. In the outright betting they are now trading at around 34/1 to win the tournament with BoyleSports. The same firm go 0.77/1 for Wales to top Pool C, Fiji are 1.88/1 and Australia are 58/10. Lets see why you should open a BoyleSports account:
Australia:
The Wallabies started their campaign with a 35-15 bonus point victory over Georgia just short of the main handicap line of 22.5 points. That was Eddie Jones first win since returning as coach but disaster struck in their second outing against Fiji last weekend.
Australia started at around 5.5 point favourites for the clash with the Fijians but they were beaten 22-15. Although the Wallabies scored 2 tries to 1 (Nawaqanitawase, Vunivalu) they were second best and Fiji could even have denied them a losing bonus point had they not missed a penalty with the last kick of the game.
In RWC 2019 in Japan the Wallabies finished as runners up to Wales in their pool and they did lose to the Welsh 29-25. More recently Wales edged a November 2021 international in Cardiff 29-28 and at the same venue in November last year the Wallabies came out on top 39-34.
Australia's final group match comes against Portugal and as far as the RWC 2023 outright betting is concerned they are now trading at around 27/1 to win the tournament with BoyleSports and 11/10 to reach the quarter finals. Click here to open an account and claim a welcome bonus up to R1000 plus R25 free spins
Team News
Wales: 15 Liam Williams, 14 Louis Rees Zammit, 13 George North, 12 Nick Tompkins, 11 Josh Adams, 10 Dan Biggar, 9 Gareth Davies, 8 Taulupe Faletau, 7 Jac Morgan (C), 6 Aaron Wainwright, 5 Adam Beard, 4 Will Rowlands, 3 Tomas Francis, 2 Ryan Elias, 1 Gareth Thomas
Replacements: 16 Elliot Dee, 17 Corey Domachowski, 18 Henry Thomas, 19 Dafydd Jenkins, 20 Taine Basham, 21 Tomos Williams, 22 Gareth Anscombe, 23 Rio Dyer
Australia: 15 Andre Kellaway; 14 Mark Nawaqanitawase, 13 Jordan Petaia, 12 Samu Kerevi, 11 Marika Koroibete; 10 Ben Donaldson, 9 Tate McDermott; 8 Rob Valetini, 7 Tom Hooper; 6 Rob Leota, 5 Richie Arnold, 4 Nick Frost; 3 James Slipper, 2 David Porecki (captain), 1 Angus Bell
Replacements: 16 Matt Faessler, 17 Blake Schoupp, 18 Pone Fa’amausili, 19 Matt Philip, 20 Fraser McReight, 21 Nic White, 22 Carter Gordon, 23 Suliasi Vunivalu
The Betting
20h45 22 September
Wales 1/1
Draw 25/1
Australia 1/1
Note, odds quoted are available at the time of writing but are subject to change.
Betting Angle
I have never been the biggest Eddie Jones fan, but after their first-half performance against New Zealand in the first Bledisloe Cup game I was prepared to give him the benefit of the doubt and even took 12/1 Australia outright which I fortunately cashed in for a small loss the other day.
Some of his decision making with regards to this Wallabies side has been baffling to say the least and I think they are going to make their Tournament exit on Sunday with a loss to Wales.
This Wales side are always difficult to beat in World Cups and although they were hanging on a bit against Fiji they got the win whereas Australia were totally outplayed by the Fijians.
I am going to keep it simple and go for a straight Wales win.
BET: 6 Units, Wales win at 1/1 at WSB
Stay close to our forum thread where I will post any additional plays on this game
Note, odds quoted are available at the time of writing but are subject to change.
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