“,”elementId”:”744613ec-ae00-4281-8209-39951c7a3d84″}],”attributes”:{“pinned”:false,”keyEvent”:true,”summary”:false},”blockCreatedOn”:1720260526000,”blockCreatedOnDisplay”:”06.08 EDT”,”blockLastUpdated”:1720260574000,”blockLastUpdatedDisplay”:”06.09 EDT”,”blockFirstPublished”:1720260574000,”blockFirstPublishedDisplay”:”06.09 EDT”,”blockFirstPublishedDisplayNoTimezone”:”06.09″,”title”:”Penalties! Australia 6-3 Wales (Loresio, 11)”,”contributors”:[],”primaryDateLine”:”Saturday, July 6, 2024 06:09 EDT”,”secondaryDateLine”:”First published Saturday, July 6, 2024 05:00 EDT”},{“id”:”668916a08f08115751de47f0″,”elements”:[{“_type”:”model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement”,”html”:”
He could have back-heeled that over. Weโre all square.
“,”elementId”:”bc949f15-e3ef-4df7-a5ef-0aa7f0c1f56f”}],”attributes”:{“pinned”:false,”keyEvent”:true,”summary”:false},”blockCreatedOn”:1720260256000,”blockCreatedOnDisplay”:”06.04 EDT”,”blockLastUpdated”:1720260294000,”blockLastUpdatedDisplay”:”06.04 EDT”,”blockFirstPublished”:1720260294000,”blockFirstPublishedDisplay”:”06.04 EDT”,”blockFirstPublishedDisplayNoTimezone”:”06.04″,”title”:”Penalties! Australia 3-3 Wales (Loresio, 7)”,”contributors”:[],”primaryDateLine”:”Saturday, July 6, 2024 06:09 EDT”,”secondaryDateLine”:”First published Saturday, July 6, 2024 05:00 EDT”},{“id”:”668915aa8f08a83a9aecd886″,”elements”:[{“_type”:”model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement”,”html”:”
Lovely shot! And Thomas is on the board. No arms from Slipper as he dived in on Lake. And thatโs a great start for Wales.
“,”elementId”:”0599d12c-d042-4c4a-8f63-d161f09db3b7″}],”attributes”:{“pinned”:false,”keyEvent”:true,”summary”:false},”blockCreatedOn”:1720260010000,”blockCreatedOnDisplay”:”06.00 EDT”,”blockLastUpdated”:1720260054000,”blockLastUpdatedDisplay”:”06.00 EDT”,”blockFirstPublished”:1720260054000,”blockFirstPublishedDisplay”:”06.00 EDT”,”blockFirstPublishedDisplayNoTimezone”:”06.00″,”title”:”Penalties! Australia 0-3 Wales (Thomas, 4)”,”contributors”:[],”primaryDateLine”:”Saturday, July 6, 2024 06:09 EDT”,”secondaryDateLine”:”First published Saturday, July 6, 2024 05:00 EDT”},{“id”:”6689098b8f08a83a9aecd83d”,”elements”:[{“_type”:”model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement”,”html”:”
Joe Schmidt has 13 Tests between now and the start of the arrival British & Irish Lions but that hasnโt stopped him fielding a new-look outfit for his first assignment.
“,”elementId”:”b9e94047-5487-49b1-a92a-9b4af065afaf”},{“_type”:”model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement”,”html”:”
Seven debutants, a new skipper and fresh combinations all round, this is most certainly a whole new chapter for the Wallabies.
“,”elementId”:”8570bf21-09d0-4820-a432-0b6dd73aac07″},{“_type”:”model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement”,”html”:”
James Slipper remains, however, and will form the cornerstone of a formidable starting front row. Rob Valetini, in the running for most dynamic No. 8 in the world, adds heft in the loose.
“,”elementId”:”2ca21536-3ff8-412e-836c-42e7441f4b1c”},{“_type”:”model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement”,”html”:”
Iโm a big fan of Noah Lolesio, but can he get enough front foot ball to work with, and will a relatively unknown back-line add some spark on the outside?
“,”elementId”:”ab556407-1430-473e-9d39-e2a7efae0c00″},{“_type”:”model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement”,”html”:”
Weโll find out soon enough.
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Your first Match Day 23 of the year ๐
๐๏ธ Saturday 6 July
๐๏ธ Allianz Stadium
๐บ @StanSportAU & Nine#Wallabies pic.twitter.com/i60xJvLcww— Wallabies (@wallabies) July 4, 2024
\n\n”}],”attributes”:{“pinned”:false,”keyEvent”:true,”summary”:false},”blockCreatedOn”:1720256907000,”blockCreatedOnDisplay”:”05.08 EDT”,”blockLastUpdated”:1720257164000,”blockLastUpdatedDisplay”:”05.12 EDT”,”blockFirstPublished”:1720257164000,”blockFirstPublishedDisplay”:”05.12 EDT”,”blockFirstPublishedDisplayNoTimezone”:”05.12″,”title”:”A new era for Australian rugby”,”contributors”:[],”primaryDateLine”:”Saturday, July 6, 2024 06:09 EDT”,”secondaryDateLine”:”First published Saturday, July 6, 2024 05:00 EDT”},{“id”:”668907788f08115751de4794″,”elements”:[{“_type”:”model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement”,”html”:”
Amidst a torrid spell, Walesโ rangy back-rower has shone. He was my pick for Warren Gatlandโs player of the Six Nations and he brings up a half century of caps today.
“,”elementId”:”d698cb9a-793e-461d-b9b4-dc69afb49330″},{“_type”:”model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement”,”html”:”
Liam Williams provides 90 capsโ worth of expereince at full-back but otherwise itโs a green group with nine players possessing less than 10 Test to their name, including Gloucesterโs Josh Hathaway who makes his debut on the wing.
“,”elementId”:”92f7819d-e09a-43f8-a8d4-254cf37032be”},{“_type”:”model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TweetBlockElement”,”source”:”Twitter”,”id”:”1808757970609787140″,”elementId”:”e4842fe8-8960-4435-9c73-33197169f539″,”hasMedia”:false,”role”:”inline”,”url”:”https://twitter.com/WelshRugbyUnion/status/1808757970609787140″,”isThirdPartyTracking”:false,”html”:”
๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ท๓ ฌ๓ ณ๓ ฟ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ท๓ ฌ๓ ณ๓ ฟ
๐A reminder of the 23 to face Australia this Saturday
๐งข5๏ธโฃ0๏ธโฃfor Aaron Wainwright
๐งขcap cyntaf i Josh Hathaway pic.twitter.com/K45BoH4Vxw
— Welsh Rugby Union ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ท๓ ฌ๓ ณ๓ ฟ (@WelshRugbyUnion) July 4, 2024
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If ever there was a game involving two teams desperate for a win, this is it.
“,”elementId”:”7d5ca739-9f49-431c-8223-d61d5bd0ecd1″},{“_type”:”model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement”,”html”:”
On and off the pitch, both Australia and Wales have endured spells that, one could argue, represents the lowest points in their respective histories. Wales have lost seven in a row and have the memory of a historic wooden spoon in last yearโs Six Nations fresh in the memory.
“,”elementId”:”f5e78e95-5f17-4318-9bc3-560959f644e7″},{“_type”:”model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement”,”html”:”
The Wallabies were unceremoniously dumped out of last yearโs World Cup at the group stage and parted ways with Eddie Jones following his disastrous (and brief) tenure as head coach.
“,”elementId”:”79dfab28-9fd6-4299-8c0c-94695ee29bec”},{“_type”:”model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement”,”html”:”
And thatโs before we talk about young stars walking away from union, some joining the NFL, others switching to rugby league. Chuck in a host of off-field maladies, including a whole heap of missing cash and poor management of the game and what you have are two proud unions that could really do with some good news.
“,”elementId”:”480bd03a-c38a-4dd5-8389-aa0c0e0813f0″},{“_type”:”model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement”,”html”:”
Will that render this a slugfest with both sets of inexperienced players spooked into a conservative game? Or will they throw caution to the wind, daring to become heroes when their nations need one?
“,”elementId”:”13f1b058-e763-4a50-b21c-1ee0ca0c90a7″},{“_type”:”model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement”,”html”:”
Iโm expecting the former but hoping for the latter. Either way, every touch of the ball, every tackle, every ruck will carry meaning. Sound the โdelicately poisedโ klaxon. We could have a classic on our hands.
“,”elementId”:”5188b2e9-faec-4566-ae13-74986113c118″},{“_type”:”model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement”,”html”:”
My name is Daniel/Dan and Iโm chuffed to be calling this for you. Drop me a mail if you fancy sharing a thought with the group.
“,”elementId”:”ab1ed85f-b77a-4c49-9e57-339bec1f0209″},{“_type”:”model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement”,”html”:”
Kick-off at 7:45pm in Sudney/ 10:45am BST.
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Teams and updates to follow.
“,”elementId”:”d0fdb1f2-3a63-4959-a885-30705ac87ab7″}],”attributes”:{“pinned”:false,”keyEvent”:true,”summary”:false},”blockCreatedOn”:1720256435000,”blockCreatedOnDisplay”:”05.00 EDT”,”blockLastUpdated”:1720253597000,”blockLastUpdatedDisplay”:”04.13 EDT”,”blockFirstPublished”:1720256435000,”blockFirstPublishedDisplay”:”05.00 EDT”,”blockFirstPublishedDisplayNoTimezone”:”05.00″,”title”:”Introduction”,”Contributors”:[{“name”:”Daniel Gallan”,”imageUrl”:”https://i.guim.co.uk/img/uploads/2022/06/06/Daniel_Gallan.jpg?width=300&quality=85&auto=format&fit=max&s=bd93c93cd6730d7b4ea730faaace1517″,”largeImageUrl”:”https://i.guim.co.uk/img/uploads/2022/06/06/Daniel_Gallan.png?width=300&quality=85&auto=format&fit=max&s=29ea7c3ea19016335b207e78dfd03ca7″}],”primaryDateLine”:”Saturday, July 6, 2024 06:09 EDT”,”secondaryDateLine”:”First published Saturday, July 6, 2024 05:00 EDT”}],”filterKeyEvents”:false,”id”:”key-events-carousel-mobile”,”absoluteServerTimes”:false}”>
Important Events
Penalties! Australia 6-3 Wales (Loresio, 11)
That’s exactly right. Australia took the lead with a beautiful swing of the fly-half’s right foot.
10 minutes: Kellaway runs up the field for Australia and breaks through a hole. Some clever teamwork gets the ball to full-back Tom Wright. Wales are offside and they benefit from a penalty. A cross-kick from Lorecio keeps the movement going. Great energy from Australia. But the movement fades and Lorecio has another shot on goal.
9 min: Wales win a lineout at halfway. They drive forward with force and Thomas spins a spiralling pass straight out wide. He needs Dier flatter on the wing.
Penalties! Australia 3-3 Wales (Loresio, 7)
He could have backheeled it over. We are all equal.
6 min: Another penalty just in front of the goalpost. Wright points to the pole. Three easy points. Clever player from Australia. Liam Williams does a good job of charging defence but slips after the tackle and puts his hands on the ground.
5 minutes: Australia win the ball back. Williams makes her debut and attacks up the field. Lorecio goes for 50-22 but Thomas and Dyer keep the ball up the field. But Australia crowd the ball and Reffell dives wide to give away a penalty. Lorecio punts to the corner and goes for the five metre lineout.
Penalties! Australia 0-3 Wales (Thomas, 4)
What a great shot! And Thomas scores. Slipper doesn’t use his arms as he dives into the lake. A great start for Wales.
2 min: Wales get a lineout at halfway, Jenkins drops it, Thomas finds debutant Hathaway, Thomas kicks it high and Lorecio catches it, there’s a no-arm tackle, Wales are awarded a penalty and Thomas points to the pole from an angle on the left, 45 metres out.
There was a lot of excitement in the stadium (at least from the photos). Australia are keen for this. There are no bets but I hope the Australian players give it their all. I hope Wales give it their all.
Ok, Wales is red, Australia is gold. Here we go…
Now it’s time for the national anthem…
Australia haven’t won at this ground for 10 years!
Well, why would they come back again?
It was good to see Michael Hooper carry the match ball before kick-off. He recently retired.
A true superstar, one of the Wallabies’ greatest ever players and leaders.
“We’ll get to know each other and ourselves.”
“We’re in a good place,” said Joe Schmidt pitchside before the game, having only worked with the squad for four full days. This is both a must-win game and a fact-finding mission for the new coach.
In Sky Feed, Sam Warburton, Dan Biggar and Jamie Roberts are sitting on the sofa. How about as a trio!
None of them seem overconfident or confidently predicting a Welsh victory.
But as Roberts points out, Wales have won four of their last five meetings with Australia, and all three agree this isn’t the Wallabies of the last generation. They have a chance to win. There’s no doubt about that.
You don’t need to score tries to win a rugby match, but tries help.
Wales have got to find some steam here. I said earlier that I don’t think this will be a free-for-all, but Australia will still try and I think they’ll find a breakthrough eventually.
Wales will therefore have to right certain wrongs.
Wales had gone more than 36 minutes without scoring in seven consecutive test matches.
โ Russ Petty (@rpetty80) July 5, 2024
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Wales had gone more than 36 minutes without scoring in seven consecutive test matches.
โ Russ Petty (@rpetty80) July 5, 2024
Is history more important than recent performance?
It was 55 years ago that Wales last beat the Wallabies on Australian soil, winning 19-16 at the Sydney Cricket Ground in 1969 with a team packed with legends – Barry John, Gareth Edwards, JPR Williams and John Dawes were all on hand to secure that famous win.
But since then, the Wallabies have won 11 consecutive games at home to Wales, spreading the green and gold all over the place.
But Wales played well the last time they met, with Eddie Jones’ disorganised Welsh team thrashing Australia 40-6 at last year’s World Cup, their biggest ever win in that fixture.
Lucky number seven for the Wallabies?
Seven players will make their debuts today and Queensland Red Liam Wright will be captain, saying he was “surprised” to be given the leadership role.
Wright becomes Australia’s seventh captain in the last 12 months.
A new era for Australian rugby
Joe Schmidt will play 13 Test matches between now and the arrival of the British and Irish Lions, but that won’t stop him from heading out on his first assignment in a new outfit.
Seven new players, a new captain and an overall fresh mix – this is undoubtedly the start of a whole new chapter for the Wallabies.
But James Slipper will remain and be the linchpin of a strong starting front row, with Rob Valetini, the world’s most dynamic No. 8 candidate, adding a loose touch.
I’m a big fan of Noah Lorecio, but can he handle the ball well up front and can he liven up a relatively unknown backline on the outside?
You’ll see it soon.
The first matchday of the year 23
๐๏ธ Saturday, July 6
๐๏ธ Allianz Stadium
๐บ Stan Sports AU & Nine#Wallaby pic.twitter.com/i60xJvLcww
โ Wallabies (@wallabies) July 4, 2024
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Aaron Wainwright scores 50 points
Wales’ tall back-row player shone during a tough spell. He was my pick for Warren Gatland’s Six Nations Player of the Year and today marks 50 years of international caps.
Liam Williams has 90 caps at full-back but the rest of the team is an inexperienced group with nine players with less than 10 Test match experience, including Gloucestershire-born Josh Hathaway, who will make his debut on the wing.
๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ท๓ ฌ๓ ณ๓ ฟ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ท๓ ฌ๓ ณ๓ ฟ
๐ Introducing the 23 players who will face Australia this Saturday
๐งข5๏ธโฃ0๏ธโฃAaron Wainwright
๐งขJosh Hathaway’s Cap Sin Tough pic.twitter.com/K45BoH4Vxw
โ Welsh Rugby Union ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ท๓ ฌ๓ ณ๓ ฟ (@WelshRugbyUnion) July 4, 2024
\n\n”}}”>
๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ท๓ ฌ๓ ณ๓ ฟ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ท๓ ฌ๓ ณ๓ ฟ
๐ Introducing the 23 players who will face Australia this Saturday
๐งข5๏ธโฃ0๏ธโฃAaron Wainwright
๐งขJosh Hathaway’s Cap Sin Tough pic.twitter.com/K45BoH4Vxw
โ Welsh Rugby Union ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ท๓ ฌ๓ ณ๓ ฟ (@WelshRugbyUnion) July 4, 2024
preamble
Daniel Gallant
If there was ever a match where both teams were desperate to win, it was this one.
On and off the pitch, Australia and Wales have been going through some of the lowest periods in their history, with Wales having lost seven games in a row and finishing last in last year’s Six Nations.
The Wallabies were swiftly eliminated from the group stage of last year’s World Cup and disbanded after a disastrous (and short) tenure as manager Eddie Jones.
This comes after talk of young stars leaving the unions to join the NFL or switch to rugby league, and with a host of off-field issues including huge amounts of missing money and poor game management, the two proud unions are in desperate need of some good news.
So will it be a tight contest, with inexperienced players on both sides cowering and playing a conservative game, or will both teams drop their guard and boldly become heroes at a time when their country needs them most?
I expect the former, but hope for the latter. Either way, every touch of the ball, every tackle, every ruck will count. Sound the “delicate balance” alarm bell. We might have a classic on our hands.
My name is Daniel/Dan and I am happy to make this call on your behalf. If you would like to share your thoughts with the group, please send me an email.
Kick-off is at 7.45pm/10.45am BST in Sydney.
We will announce the team and updates at a later date.
