Wales primed for ‘massive’ showdown with crisis-hit Australia at Rugby World Cup – as Warren Gatland’s ‘band of brothers’ have banished the chaos of Six Nations
- Wales have a perfect 10 points from their opening two games
- Australia on the brink of World Cup exit after shock defeat by Fiji on Sunday
- Latest Rugby World Cup 2023 news, including fixtures, live scores and results
It is not often Welsh rugby – a sporting landscape so often dominated by off-field carnage – is in the enviable position of looking at their opposition and justifiably saying the problems lie elsewhere.
But, with the countdown now underway to Warren Gatland’s side taking on Australia in a crunch World Cup clash on Sunday, it is indeed Eddie Jones’ Wallabies who are the ones with all the issues.
Gatland’s ‘band of brothers’ have a perfect 10 points from their opening two games in France and, apart from a few bumps and bruises, no serious injuries. The chaos of the Six Nations has gone.
Australia, meanwhile, have lost their two best forwards in captain Will Skelton and prop Taniela Tupou for the game in Lyon which is one they must win after losing to Fiji.
‘They’re like a band of brothers and have been since we met up at the end of May,’ Wales attack coach Alex King said of Gatland’s squad. ‘It’s a massive game, let’s not shy away from that.
Wales head coach Warren Gatland (above) has banished the chaos of the Six Nations
‘Tournament rugby is about winning.’
Indeed it is.
A Wales victory would send them through to the quarter-finals and if not mathematically, virtually send Australia home.
Such a scenario would represent abject humiliation for Jones and his Wallabies.
Australia on Tuesday switched up their training schedule for the week on the back of a physical battering in their defeat by Fiji. The Wallabies had no slated media access.
But that didn’t stop Jones from appearing on a sponsored podcast with the Evening Standard in which he commented on Gatland’s approach.
‘Warren’s done a great job,’ Jones said. ‘He’s got them playing that Wazza-ball – a very distinctive, strong defensive, high kicking game. They play a lot off (Dan) Biggar who is still a very good player.’
Unlike Australia, what Wales have done in France to date is win.
Gatland’s side started their preparations for Australia at their training base in Versailles on the outskirts of Paris on Tuesday. Wales are hopeful forwards Tommy Reffell and Henry Thomas will be fit for this weekend after struggles with calf and hamstring problems respectively.
Gatland’s ‘band of brothers’ have a perfect 10 points from opening two World Cup games
Reffell was a late withdrawal from the 28-8 Portugal victory. He trained separately to Wales’ main group alongside Jac Morgan and Nicky Smith with a focus on upper body conditioning. It was no surprise or concern that co-captain Morgan was resting his legs.
He was man of the match and played the full 80 minutes against Portugal as a late replacement for Reffell having done fitness and weights sessions on the morning of the game because he was not scheduled to be involved in the 23 at all. Morgan is likely to captain the team against Australia. Prop Thomas did train but full-back Leigh Halfpenny was absent.
‘He’s nursing a little leg injury and he’s being assessed,’ King said of Reffell. ‘We’ll know more in the next couple of days. Leigh is the same. A lot of guys have their own personal programmes a day or two after games depending on their needs.
’Gatland and Jones are no strangers to each other. Australia were blown away by Fiji physically in their 22-15 loss in Pool C.
Wales, who are supremely well conditioned, will surely have taken note.The injuries suffered by Skelton and Tupou are hugely significant given they rob Jones of his two most powerful forwards. Former Saracen Skelton brings huge ballast at lock.
Indeed, with Australia lacking power ahead of this weekend, Jones has admitted he will have to think of new tactical approaches to get the better of his old adversary Gatland.
Of Australia, King added: ‘They’re a good team and coached well. They’re a proud team.
‘They’ll be hurting a little bit after the weekend. We understand that it’s pretty much do or die for them.
Australia on the brink of World Cup exit after shock defeat by Fiji in Saint-Etienne on Sunday
Wallabies head coach Eddie Jones accepted the blame after Sunday’s disastrous defeat by Fiji
’On Gatland, King said: ‘I played under him at Wasps and we had some big European games. This is his fifth World Cup. He understands when to push the players and coaches and when to pull back. He’s a very experienced coach and it’s great for us to have him around. Warren’s been there and done it whether it’s European Cups, Six Nations or Lions tours.
‘It tends to go alright. I’m glad he’s in our camp.
’Elsewhere, hosts France have named a close-to-first-choice side for their round three clash with minnows Namibia in Marseille on Thursday.
Les Bleus head coach Fabien Galthie saw his second string struggle to inch past Uruguay and has recalled his big guns including captain Antoine Dupont and fit again centre and prop Jonathan Danty and Cyril Baille. Key forward Gregory Alldritt is rested.
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