The final test match of 2013 takes place at the Millenium Stadium on Saturday, as Wales will attempt to conquer Australia having lost the previous eight meetings between the two.
WALES vs AUSTRALIA
Saturday, November 30, 17:00 GMT, Cardiff
After fielding a reserve side against Tonga, Warren Gatland has gone back to his top lineup to face the Wallabies, including nine players that featured in the victorious Lions test series earlier this year. Titanic wingers George North and Alex Cuthbert team up for the first time this November, and Dan Biggar was won the race to the no10 jersey. Owen Williams is retained at outside centre with both Jonathan Davies and new cap Cory Allen out injured.
Rhodri Jones continues his education at tighthead prop, and Ian Evans is given the nod to partner Alun Wyn Jones at lock, beating out Bradley Davies and Luke Charteris. The all-Lions back row of Dan Lydiate, Sam Warburton, and Toby Faletau is back in business, and Mike Phillips is set to win his 80th cap at scrumhalf. Youngsters Samson Lee and Rhodri Williams have been given spots on the bench.
The Wallabies will be desperate to end their topsy-turvy year with a win, and have retained most of the team that beat Scotland a week ago. Quade Cooper wins his 50th test cap, and the only changes to the side are the recall of suspended duo Nick Cummins and Adam Ashley-Cooper, replacing Chris Feauai-Sautia and Mike Harris respectively. Christian Leali’ifano, who had a horror day with the boot at Murrayfield, will hope his luck is better back in the no12 jersey after struggling at no13 last week.
Australia has been talking up their psychological advantage during the week, and given their eight wins on the trot against Wales, it’s hard to argue with that assessment. That said a considerable number of these same players have now tasted success with the Lions, a feeling they will be hell-bent on reprising in a different red jersey. Expect both sides to be up for this one and the result to come down to the wire, with a late Leigh Halfpenny penalty finally giving Wales a win over their southern rivals. Wales by 3.
Referee: Wayne Barnes (RFU)
Assistants: Alain Rolland (IRFU) & John Lacey (IRFU)
TMO: Jim Yuille (SRU)
