The blockbuster fixture this Sunday in the 2023 Rugby World Cup will come from Pool C, with Wales taking on Australia in a match of huge significance at the Groupama Stadium in Lyon.
The Red Dragons currently lead the pool with 10 points after their first two matches of the competition, while the Wallabies are in third place with six points and under huge pressure to get a result here.
Match preview
After defeating Portugal 28-8 in their last group match and winning their first two group games by an average of 13 points, Wales come into this match against Australia with momentum on their side.
However, despite securing the win and bonus point against Portugal, Wales were far from impressive, as the underdogs managed to keep the game close in the second half and were trailing by just 13 points with ten minutes remaining.
In their match against Fiji, Wales displayed an incredible defensive effort, ultimately securing a 32-26 victory. However, their win was partially attributed to Fiji's inability to score a try in the closing moments of the match.
While Wales have not displayed the potential to dominate their opponents in this World Cup, they have ground out the results, as evidenced by their two bonus point victories so far, which reminds us just how resilient they can be.
Warren Gatland is clearly starting to work his magic, and a win here will pretty much guarantee his side's place in the knockout stages, although the head coach will know that the Wallabies will not go down without a fight.
Meanwhile, Australia showed dominance in their opening match over Georgia. However, their performance took a sharp downturn in their last game against Fiji, as the issues that plagued them during the 2023 Rugby Championship once again became evident.
In the match against Fiji last weekend, the Wallabies found themselves physically outmatched, and their repeated infringements, resulting in penalties, pushed them backward and ultimately cost them the match.
Fair to say, the positive vibes in the camp that followed their victory against Georgia have dissipated, and they must find a way to generate momentum if they intend to defeat an improving Welsh team.
The pressure is now squarely on Eddie Jones to formulate the correct tactics for Sunday's crucial match, and the Wallabies head coach will know that his side must secure a win to keep their chances of advancing to the quarter-finals intact.
Wales Rugby World Cup form:
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Wales form (all competitions):
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Australia Rugby World Cup form:
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Australia form (all competitions):
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Team News
Somewhat unsurprisingly, Gatland has recalled the same lineup that secured victory against Fiji in week one, with Ryan Elias taking the starting hooker position in a team led by flanker Jac Morgan.
Nick Tompkins and George North maintain their partnership in the centre, while Gareth Davies takes the scrum-half position, and Dan Biggar returns in the number 10 jersey.
On the bench, providing cover for the front row are Elliot Dee, Corey Domachowski, and Henry Thomas, with Dafydd Jenkins and Taine Basham serving as the second-row cover.
An under-pressure Jones has opted for an unchanged tight five, with David Porecki leading the team for the second consecutive week, and he forms the front row alongside the 22-year-old Angus Bell and the experienced James Slipper.
Andrew Kellaway and scrumhalf Tate McDermott have been selected to start for the Wallabies, and Ben Donaldson will partner McDermott in the halves pairing.
In the loose forward positions, Rob Leota is given the nod for his first Test match of the year at blindside flanker, while Tom Hooper moves to openside, and Rob Valetini takes up the number eight role.
Wales starting lineup: 15. Liam Williams, 14. Louis Rees Zammit, 13. George North, 12. Nick Tompkins, 11. Josh Adams, 10. Dan Biggar, 9. Gareth Davies, 8. Taulupe Faletau, 7. Jac Morgan (c), 6. Aaron Wainwright, 5. Adam Beard, 4. Will Rowlands, 3. Tomas Francis, 2. Ryan Elias, 1. Gareth Thomas
Replacements: 16. Elliot Dee, 17. Corey Domachowski, 18. Henry Thomas, 19. Dafydd Jenkins, 20. Taine Basham, 21. Tomos Williams, 22. Gareth Anscombe, 23. Rio Dyer
Australia starting lineup: 15. Andre Kellaway, 14. Mark Nawaqanitawase, 13. Jordan Petaia, 12. Samu Kerevi, 11. Marika Koroibete, 10. Ben Donaldson, 9. Tate McDermott, 8. Rob Valetini, 7. Tom Hooper, 6. Rob Leota, 5. Richie Arnold, 4. Nick Frost; 3. James Slipper, 2. David Porecki (c), 1. Angus Bell
Replacements: 16. Matt Faessler, 17. Blake Schoupp, 18. Pone Fa'amausili, 19. Matt Philip, 20. Fraser McReight, 21. Nic White, 22. Carter Gordon, 23. Suliasi Vunivalu
Head To Head
Australia and Wales have a rugby union history dating back to 1908, having faced each other in a total of 45 matches. Of these, Australia emerged victorious in 31, Wales secured 13 wins, and there was one match that ended in a draw.
We say: Wales 27-24 Australia
Interestingly, none of the last five matches between these sides have been separated by more than an eight-point margin, and there is little to suggest that it will be any different this time. Wales would love nothing better than to break the hearts of their opponents here, but the 'last chance' hope might be enough to spark the Wallabies into life.
We could be in for a nail-biter in this one, but we are going for Wales to just about edge it.
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