Jenkins changes the guard

Wales Coach Gareth Jenkins has made five changes, two positional, to the side which suffered last-gasp defeat to Australia at the weekend for the final meeting of the two-Test tour down under at the Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane, on Saturday (kick-off 11.00am bst).

Gareth Thomas reverts to fullback to win his 94th cap in place of Lee Byrne, Chris Czekaj switches wings and Aled Brew fills the berth he vacates.

Up front, hooker Mefin Davies adds 37 caps-worth of experience to the front row in place of UK-bound Matthew Rees, who has returned home for the birth of his child, and Michael Owen replaces Brent Cockbain at lock.

Robin Sowden-Taylor is offered his first chance on tour providing back row cover from the bench and he is joined by scrum half Andy Williams, also looking for a taste of the action alongside the still uncapped Scott Morgan.

“Mefin will use all his international experience to slot into the front row and pick up where Matthew left off,” said Jenkins. “We are fortunate to be able to call on someone of his international stature.

“Gareth (Thomas) will be able to get more involved in the action from a more central role at fullback and the move also gives us the opportunity to look at Aled Brew, who is a hot prospect for us on the wing.

“Michael Owen deserves his chance to start after impressing from the bench last week when Brent (Cockbain) picked up his knock to the head and his ability to play in the second row allows us to keep the back row unit together.

“We have a group of players on the bench who will be able to come on and make an impact if necessary with Robin Sowden-Taylor and Andy Williams adding to a good mix including the Gavin Henson and Ceri Jones who both impressed when given game-time last week.”

Jenkins believes the team that shocked the Wallabies by taking a 17-0 lead in the first Test and getting within 30 seconds of victory, can go one better this Saturday and beat Australia on home turf for the first time in 38 years.

“There were many positives for us to take out of our performance last week and the players will have renewed self belief on Saturday night,” said Jenkins.

“Australia too will have undoubtedly learnt lessons and will come after us, but we know now that we do not fear them and we have proved that we have something to offer as well.

“We should have beaten them last week and the only thing that will make that easier for us to bear is to go one better this week and make sure we have more points on the board than them, not just when the hooter goes at the end of the game, but right up until that ball goes dead!”
 

Wales: Gareth Thomas (Captain); Chris Czekaj, Jamie Robinson, Sonny Parker, Aled Brew; James Hook, Mike Phillips; Iestyn Thomas, Mefin Davies, Adam Jones, Michael Owen, Rob Sidoli, Colin Charvis, Gavin Thomas, Jonathan Thomas

Replacements: Ceri Jones, Richard Hibbard, Scott Morgan, Robin Sowden-Taylor, Andy Williams, Ceri Sweeney, Gavin Henson