Wales will face three of the four teams set to do battle in the top tournament in the southern hemisphere in three months time with Georgia joining the Wallabies, All Blacks and Springboks in coming to the Principality Stadium in November and December (TICKET DETAILS HERE).
While Gatland will know all about the strengths and weaknesses of the reigning world champions from New Zealand following his epic tussle with them this summer as head coach to the British & Irish Lions, he will be able to brush up on his intelligence on the Wallabies and Springboks over the course of the Championship.
Wales beat South Africa the last time they came to Cardiff in 2016. The 27-13 win was only the third victory in 110 years of trying, while you have to go back to 1953 for the last time Wales beat the All Blacks.
The Wallabies are once again drawn in Wales’ Rugby World Cup pool for 2019, so their match in the Welsh capital on 11 November to kick-off the series will have added spice and significance. Michael Cheika’s side have also won the last 12 games against Wales dating back to 2009.
Sydney will host the first fixture in the Championship with two of world rugby’s greatest crowd pleasers, Kurtley Beale and Sonny Bill Williams, returning to their respective teams to go head-to-head in an epic midfield battle.
Beale is back in his native Australia after a year at Wasps and lines-up in the centre for his first international outing since the 2015 Rugby World Cup final at Twickenham. He scored 12 tries in 60 Tests for the Wallabies prior to a knee injury he suffered in the 2016 Super Rugby season, which also delayed his debut for Wasps.
He is one of five changes made by coach Michael Cheika from the side that beat beat Italy 40-27 in Brisbane in June. Curtis Rona makes his debut on the left wing, Henry Speight comes in on the right wing, Samu Kerevi partners Beale at centre, while Sean McMahon starts at No 8.
Sonny Bill Williams returns to the All Blacks starting XV after completing a four-match ban imposed for a shoulder charge on Anthony Watson during the Lions’ second Test victory over New Zealand in Wellington on 1 July.
The 32-year-old successfully appealed against a decision not to include a warm-up game in his ban. He was cleared to play against Australia after an independent appeal committee ruled a ‘game of three halves’ involving provincial sides and the All Blacks had sufficient meaning to be part of Williams’ suspension.
Gatland’s opposite number, Steve Hansen, has made six changes to his All Blacks’ side that drew the third Test against the Lions in Auckland in July to leave the series tied at 1-1. Ryan Crotty partners Williams at centre, Damian McKenzie comes in at full-back, Ben Smith and Rieko Ioane are named on the wings, while Liam Squire replaces Jerome Kaino at blind-side flanker.
“He’s certainly raring to go – it’s been an awkward time for him, it’s been tough. He’s made sure that he has used that time smartly, he’s trained well and been able to get on top of a couple of niggles,” said assistant coach Ian Foster.
The Rugby Championship – Round 1
Australia v New Zealand – Sydney (11:00 BST)
South Africa v Argentina – Port Elizabeth (16:00 BST)
Under Armour Series 2017 – BUY TICKETS HERE
WALES v AUSTRALIA – Saturday, 11 November 2017 (17:15)
WALES v GEORGIA – Saturday, 18 November 2017 (14:30)
WALES v NEW ZEALAND – Saturday, 25 November 2017 (17:15)
WALES v SOUTH AFRICA – Sat 2 December 2017 (14:30)
