Top Ad
I DIG Radio
www.idigradio.com
Listen live to the best music from around the world!
I DIG Style
www.idigstyle.com
Learn about the latest fashion styles and more...

Wales v Australia: Josh Adams, Tomas Francis and Aaron Wainwright fit to face Wallabies

Written by 
Published in Rugby
Thursday, 18 November 2021 04:47

Wing Josh Adams, prop Tomas Francis and back row Aaron Wainwright have all been passed fit to start for Wales against Australia in Cardiff on Saturday.

British and Irish Lion Adams had been set to face Fiji at centre last week but pulled out late with a calf strain.

Prop Wyn Jones returns, while Seb Davies starts at lock, Tomos Williams at scrum-half and Willis Halaholo at centre.

Lions centre Jonathan Davies is left out of the squad for tactical reasons.

While prop Francis has been named in Wayne Pivac's starting XV there is still doubt over his fitness and while Wales remain hopeful, he will see an independent consultant on Thursday night.

Should the Ospreys prop withdraw, Wyn Jones could possible fill in at tight-head or a specialist could be drafted into the squad.

Australia, meanwhile, will be without injured captain Michael Hooper.

The back row, 30, suffered a foot injury in last Saturday's 32-15 defeat against England and is ruled out at the Principality Stadium, replaced by Pete Samu in the open-side flanker role, with prop James Slipper taking the armband.

Tighthead props Taniela Tupou and Allan Alaalatoa have both made full recoveries, with Tupou starting alongside hooker Tolu Latu - who made his Test return last weekend.

Reds winger Filipo Daugunu is the final change to the starting XV, earning his first Wallabies jersey since breaking his arm in the series decider against France back in July.

In all, Wales head coach Pivac makes seven changes in personnel for their final Autumn Nations Series game.

Defeats against New Zealand and South Africa were followed by an unconvincing win over 14-man Fiji.

Halaholo and Nick Tompkins, both late replacements to the bench and starting line-up respectively last weekend, get the nod as the midfield partnership, with fellow centre Davies not named in the matchday squad.

Hooker Ryan Elias remains the only constant in the front row and is one of only three players to start all four of Wales' autumn Tests, alongside lock Adam Beard and back row Taine Basham.

Ellis Jenkins will lead the side from the blind-side flank, with Basham returning to the open-side as Wainwright returns at number eight after injury.

"Australia have been on the road for a while now, the series they had down south and a couple of losses in the last couple of games," Pivac said.

"They'll be hurting from that and they'll want to finish their tour on a high note, as we'd like to finish our campaign on a high note. It bodes well for a pretty interesting fixture.

"[Wallabies coach] Dave Rennie brings a physical approach to the game and we certainly expect that from the Australians but we have to be able to match that and impose ourselves on the game.

"It's going to be an enthralling encounter I think and a great way to finish a series. We're really looking forward to Saturday."

Wales host the Wallabies on Saturday after being accompanied throughout the autumn by repeated injury setbacks.

Pivac has used close to 40 players across the three internationals so far.

Wales' long list of absentees includes British and Irish Lions Alun Wyn Jones, Ken Owens, Ross Moriarty, Taulupe Faletau, Justin Tipuric, Josh Navidi, Leigh Halfpenny and George North.

Prop WillGriff John and Will Rowlands have added to the casualty list after suffering head injuries against Fiji, with forwards coach Jonathan Humphreys saying Wales were missing 15 forwards against the Wallabies.

"It's been a tough campaign but one where we've exposed more players to this level of rugby, which all bodes well for the future," Pivac said.

"With the injuries we've faced, we have had to adapt and those are opportunities that some of the players have taken very well."

Wales' situation has also seen the emergence of flanker Basham and teenage lock Christ Tshiunza.

Basham's back-row colleague Jenkins has made an impressive return following a three-year absence from international rugby due to injury.

Wales have won their past two encounters against Australia, including a pivotal 2019 World Cup pool victory, after a run of 13 successive defeats in the fixture.

Success on Saturday would send them into the start of a Six Nations title defence next February with spirits high.

Teams:

Wales: L Williams; Rees-Zammit, Tompkins, Halaholo, Adams; Biggar, T Williams; W Jones, Elias, Francis, Beard, S Davies, Jenkins (capt), Basham, Wainwright.

Replacements: Dee, G Thomas, Lewis, Carter, Tshiunza, G Davies, Priestland, McNicholl.

Australia: Beale; Kellaway, Ikitau, Paisami, Daugunu; O'Connor, White; Slipper (capt), Latu, Tupou, Arnold, Rodda, Leota, Samu, Valetini.

Replacements: Fainga'a, Bell, Alaalatoa, Skelton, Swinton, McDermott, Foketi, Wright.

Referee: Mike Adamson (SRU)

Assistant referees: Mathieu Raynal (FFR, Nika Amashukeli (GRU)

TMO: Marius Jonker (SARU)

Read 172 times

Soccer

Messi sets 2 more MLS records in 6-2 Miami win

Messi sets 2 more MLS records in 6-2 Miami win

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsLionel Messi set the Major League Soccer record for most goal contr...

European soccer review: Real Madrid clinch LaLiga, Stuttgart thump Bayern, Arsenal and Man City win

European soccer review: Real Madrid clinch LaLiga, Stuttgart thump Bayern, Arsenal and Man City win

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsWhat a Saturday across European soccer! Real Madrid took down Cádiz...

Xavi: Girona loss tells the story of our season

Xavi: Girona loss tells the story of our season

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsXavi Hernández said Saturday's crushing 4-2 defeat at Girona was em...

2026 FIFA


2028 LOS ANGELES OLYMPIC

UEFA

2024 PARIS OLYMPIC


Basketball

Edwards outduels Jokic: Wolves 'know who we are'

Edwards outduels Jokic: Wolves 'know who we are'

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsDENVER -- If you asked another young star what it felt like to go i...

Former Laker Morris dies at 33, family announces

Former Laker Morris dies at 33, family announces

EmailPrintFormer Michigan standout and Los Angeles Lakers draft pick Darius Morris has died at 33, h...

Baseball

Arraez a big hit in Padres debut, goes 4-for-6

Arraez a big hit in Padres debut, goes 4-for-6

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsPHOENIX -- Luis Arraez had four hits and an RBI in his first game a...

Judge: First ejection of career 'very surprising'

Judge: First ejection of career 'very surprising'

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsNEW YORK -- Aaron Judge has accomplished plenty during his nine-yea...

Sports Leagues

  • FIFA

    Fédération Internationale de Football Association
  • NBA

    National Basketball Association
  • ATP

    Association of Tennis Professionals
  • MLB

    Major League Baseball
  • ITTF

    International Table Tennis Federation
  • NFL

    Nactional Football Leagues
  • FISB

    Federation Internationale de Speedball

About Us

I Dig® is a leading global brand that makes it more enjoyable to surf the internet, conduct transactions and access, share, and create information.  Today I Dig® attracts millions of users every month.r

 

Phone: (800) 737. 6040
Fax: (800) 825 5558
Website: www.idig.com
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Affiliated