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Posted 336 days ago
By Sarah Mockford, Rugby World Features Editor
In a nutshell
The Wallabies succeeded where Wales failed last week, taking the lead with six minutes to go and controlling the ball in the closing stages to secure another narrow win and a 3-0 Test series whitewash. It was a courageous effort from Wales, an effort epitomised by captain Sam Warburton, who played on…
Posted 337 days ago
CLOSE BUT no cigar is a phrase that can too often be associated with Welsh rugby. Yet again last weekend they were within minutes of a historic victory in Australia only to give away a last-minute penalty and condemn themselves to a series defeat. There is only pride to play for now, so with the pressure off can Wales finally get that elusive win?
Posted 340 days ago
FULLBACK KURTLEY Beale will resume International duties for the Wallabies after being named for Saturday’s final Test against Wales at Allianz Stadium in Sydney.
The Rebels star, who is being charged with assault following an alleged altercation with security staff at a Brisbane hotel two weeks ago, has been sidelined with a shoulder injury after a heavy defeat to the Hurricanes…
Posted 341 days ago
Wales came very close to beating the Wallabies on Saturday – you can’t come any closer. There were certainly positives that can be taken from the performance, most notably the defence. However, you can’t expect to beat Australia, in Australia, with 36% possession and 34% territory – it’s unrealistic. Poor tactical kicking resulted in Wales playing the majority of the game in their half, without the ball. Barring Wales’s first try, there were few multi-phase sets and no periods of sustained pressure in the red
Posted 343 days ago
Wales were denied a famous victory with the final kick of the game – Australia’s replacement fly-half Mike Harris nailing a late penalty from out wide to give the Wallabies the win and the series.
Posted 344 days ago
MELBOURNE COULD feel a little like home for Wales when they take on the Wallabies in the second Test. The Etihad Stadium’s closed roof is sure to remind them of their own Millennium cauldron in Cardiff – but they will need everyone’s body clocks to be on Australian time this weekend.
Posted 345 days ago
Wales coach Rob Howley has made four changes to his side for the second clash of the three Test summer tour of Australia to be played under the closed roof of the Etihad Stadium, Melbourne on Saturday.
Up front Scarlets hooker Matthew Rees combines with Ospreys pair Ryan Jones and Alun Wyn Jones to add well over 180-caps worth of experience…
Posted 347 days ago
Robbie Deans has named an unchanged line-up for Saturday night’s second Test against Wales in Melbourne.
Despite concerns over the fitness of Sekope Kepu, after he strained a tendon in his forearm during last weekend’s 27-19 win over Wales in the first match of the series, the tighthead prop has been named subject to proving his readiness later in the week.
Kepu…
Posted 348 days ago
THE DIFFERENCE in playing styles between the northern and southern hemispheres maybe narrowing, but the speed at which it is played is not. Wales really struggled with the pace at which the Wallabies played, particularly their ruck speed which was noticeably quicker. But it wasn’t just the speed of play that was rapid
Posted 349 days ago
WALES SENSING a first victory on Australian soil since 1969 were far too slow out of the traps against a Wallaby side desperate to atone for their humbling 9-6 midweek loss to Scotland. Under-pressure coach Robbie Deans will have been impressed with the intensity shown by his side in the first-half
