The first international rugby test between Australia and Wales takes place in Sydney on Saturday, the Wallabies start a new era and the bookmakers have them as firm favourites.
Australia v Wales, Saturday 6th July, Sydney, KO 11:45 (South African time)
Referee: Pierre Brousset (FFR)
Assistant Referees: Ben O'Keeffe (NZR) , James Doleman (NZR)
TMO: Marius Jonker (SARU)
Weather Forecast – Sydney
Australia:
The Wallabies had a disastrous RWC23 campaign in Japan where they failed to make it out of the pool stage after losing key matches to Fiji 22-15 and Wales 40-6 under Eddie Jones.
That was the first time Australia had failed to make the RWC knockout rounds and Joe Schmidt has been named as the new head coach. This two match test series with Wales is his first assignment before they host Georgia and then head into the Rugby Championship.
Wales:
Wales took on South Africa in a one off test at Twickenham last week, with the match falling outside of the international window both sides were under strength, especially Wales and although there was only 1 point in it at half time they finished well beaten 41-13.
In the Six Nations earlier this year Wales finished bottom of the log. They lost all of their matches; at home to Scotland (27-26), to England at this venue (16-14), to Ireland in Dublin (31-7), at home to France (45-24) and finally at home to Italy (24-21).
In RWC 2023 Wales won all of their pool matches to reach the quarter finals where they lost 29-17 to Argentina. Their win over the Wallabies came by a record margin.
Team News
Australia: 15 Tom Wright, 14 Andrew Kellaway, 13 Josh Flook, 12 Hunter Paisami, 11 Filipo Daugunu, 10 Noah Lolesio, 9 Jake Gordon, 8 Rob Valetini, 7 Fraser McReight, 6 Liam Wright (captain), 5 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 4 Jeremy Williams, 3 Taniela Tupou, 2 Matt Faessler, 1 James Slipper.
Replacements: 16 Billy Pollard, 17 Issac Kailea, 18 Allan Alaalatoa, 19 Angus Blyth, 20 Charlie Cale, 21 Tate McDermott, 22 Tom Lynagh, 23 Dylan Pietsch
Wales: 15 Liam Williams, 14 Josh Hathaway, 13 Owen Watkin, 12 Mason Grady, 11 Rio Dyer, 10 Ben Thomas, 9 Ellis Bevan, 8 Aaron Wainwright, 7 Tommy Reffell, 6 Taine Plumtree, 5 Dafydd Jenkins, 4 Christ Tshiunza, 3 Archie Griffin, 2 Dewi Lake (captain), 1 Gareth Thomas.
Replacements: 16 Evan Lloyd, 17 Kemsley Mathias, 18 Harri O’Connor, 19 Cory Hill, 20 James Botham, 21 Kieran Hardy, 22 Sam Costelow, 23 Nick Tompkins
The Betting
Australia -12.5 points at 9/10
Wales +12.5 points at 9/10
Note, odds quoted are available at the time of writing but are subject to change.
Betting Angle
This handicap has been stable all week at Australia -12.5.
I was undecided on this one heading into last nights live airing of THE HANDICAP but the confidence of my guest The Understaker has swung me into the Welsh camp.
Both teams are in transition and Wales are one of those sides who somehow stay in games when it looks like they will be well beaten.
Wales to beat the handicap is the call and at this point no bet on points at 48.5 as I am leaning overs but weather looks dodgy and I will post any bets in the forum
Bet: 3 units Wales +12.5 at 10/11 at WSB
Note, odds quoted are available at the time of writing but are subject to change.
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