Wales v Australia: Why a win tomorrow could still have an impact in 2015

 
29 November 2013

Wallaby Israel Folau is well aware of the wider implications of an Australia victory over Wales in Cardiff tomorrow as an intriguing autumn of rugby comes to an end.

Australia and Wales are in the same 2015 World Cup pool as England and given that only two teams will progress to the quarter-finals any advantage one of them can gain in the build-up to the tournament could be crucial.

“If we win this weekend we will have a bit of an edge on Wales psychologically,” said the former rugby league and Australian rules player who is turning into a world-class full-back. “We’ve done a job on them in the past and we hope to do another tomorrow. Then, going into that game at the World Cup we will know we have done a job on them in the past.”

The 5pm kick-off means England’s players who are in Aviva Premiership action tomorrow can keep a close eye on this Test as it will reveal just how the Wallabies are progressing under new coach Ewen McKenzie. Wales will be coming to Twickenham in the Six Nations which gets under way in February and England will be desperate for revenge after being denied the Grand Slam this year, losing 30-3 in Cardiff.

Wales head coach Warren Gatland ended a long personal run of losses to Australia by guiding the Lions to a 2-1 Test series triumph in the summer having first beaten them with Wales in 2008. Gatland pitted his wits against Robbie Deans in that series but McKenzie has now replaced him as head coach and after losing 20-13 to England at the start of this month, the Wallabies have beaten Italy, Ireland and Scotland.

“Australia are still evolving,” said Gatland. “Perhaps under the last regime they were coming to the end of things. It’s taken a little bit of time to settle but I think they are in an improvement stage where, with some key players coming back for them, they are going to be real contenders in 2015, if they do continue that level of improvement.”

Folau confirmed the improvement in the Wallaby camp as he prepared for the battle with Wales and admitted the lure of playing in a World Cup had convinced him to switch codes.

He said: “Ewen is doing a great job getting the boys to play together as a team and we’re starting to see that.

“We can build on that towards the World Cup and, hopefully, we can be a force. That’s the goal. Wales and England are playing well so you can only imagine what they will be like in a couple of years.

“They will be strong forces and, hopefully, we will be the same. We want to improve as a team and match the challenges of the team we face. I have two more years remaining on my contract. The World Cup was a big draw in me coming to union.”


Match of the autumn

Ireland 22 New Zealand 24 An incredible start by Ireland to take a 22‑7 lead, a wonderful fightback by the All Blacks and a heart‑stopping finale with the tourists winning thanks to a retaken conversion at the death by Aaron Cruden. What entertainment, what courage.

Top try

Jean de Villiers (S Africa) v Wales

The Springbok captain finished off a move started by Bryan Habana deep in his own half. The wing left George North in his wake, the hugely impressive Bismarck du Plessis carried the move on and then offloaded under pressure to his skipper who crashed over.

Biggest mistake

Ireland

The players — led by Luke Fitzgerald — who charged Cruden’s conversion early were left wondering if they should have attended that video session on how the All Black No10 prepares to kick — featuring his little nervous jig!

Best player

Kieran Read (New Zealand)

Read is up for International Rugby Board player of the year and with six tries in 13 Tests you can see why he is favourite. A typically clever try against England a couple of weeks ago showed his footballing skills and vision to the best.

Breakthrough Player

Billy Vunipola (England)

The Saracens No8 came of age at Test level against Read and the All Blacks showing that he can be just as effective with ball in hand at the highest level as he can in the Premiership. It’s only a start but the 21-year-old is one to watch.

Outstanding contribution

Nigel Owens

Having taken charge of the amazing All Blacks win in South Africa last month, Owens was superb again in Dublin playing his part in the unfolding drama as New Zealand defeated the gallant Irish. The Welsh referee correctly ordered the retaken conversion and proved he is the best in the world.

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