The Wallabies are ranked third in the world and finished runners-up in this year’s Rugby Championship behind New Zealand.
However, they arrive in Wales after seven defeats in 2016, including a 3-0 series whitewash at home to England in the summer. Here are four key areas that will be hotly contested on Saturday..
1. The breakdown
Australia’s lightning-quick back-row jackals can sniff out turnovers from miles away – Michael Hooper, Sean McMahon, Scott Fardy or David Pocock, depending on injuries, are a consistent threat around the breakdown.
The Welsh back-row though is just as much of a threat. Flanker Ross Moriarty made 38 tackles in three Tests against the All Blacks in June, more than any other player in the series, and showed up well winning ball too. Dan Lydiate is another who can match that defensive workload.
The speed of openside Justin Tipuric will put the Wallabies under constant pressure in the absence of Sam Warburton. So much Test match rugby is won and lost after the 65th minute, so replacements like Dan Baker can bring powerful ball-carrying power off the bench.
2. The midfield
World Cup finalist Tevita Kuridrani has stepped into Samu Kerevi’s boots with the dynamic Reds centre sadly sidelined because of ankle surgery. Israel Folau, a powerful yet elusive runner from full-back, is also said to be in coach Michael Cheika’s thoughts at outside centre.
Jamie Roberts will need to use all his considerable experience and imposing physicality to shut down the Wallabies’ main strike runners with ball in hand, alongside centre partner Jonathan Davies. If the Welsh duo can nullify Australia’s power runners, Wales will be on the front foot.
3. The kicking game
Australia’s back three are lethal on the counter-attack – especially Folau – while wingers Dane Haylett-Petty and Reece Hodge are both tall and rock-solid under the high ball. The trio love to exploit broken-field play and will punish any team which gives them space.
The kicking of Leigh Halfpenny and/or Liam Williams will need to be spot-on, and expect whoever pulls the strings from half-back to kick low and behind the big Australia’s three-quarter line. Anything else and Wales’ defence will be in for a busy afternoon.
4. Fresh legs
Wales last played Test rugby in June, showing up well against the All Blacks in the world champions’ back yard. By contrast, Australia have just finished a gruelling series of Tests in the Rugby Championship, with another Bledisloe Cup encounter with New Zealand for good measure.
One school of thought suggests Australia will be better prepared, having spent the last three months together as a squad. Wales, by contrast, might be expected to stutter as they step up to Test match intensity after a five-month break.
But Australia have been forced into various injury-enforced changes to their starting line-ups, while Wales can build on their hugely encouraging performances in defeat against New Zealand.
- Tickets are still available to see Wales take on Australia at wru.wales/tickets
