Wales team v Australia

[pompey-zebra]

On the bbc sport site:
Winnett; Rogers, Llewellyn, B Thomas, Murray; Anscombe, Bevan; G Thomas, Lake (capt), Griffin, Rowlands, Beard, Botham, Morgan, Wainwright.

Replacements: Elias, N Smith, Assiratti, Tshiunza, Reffell, R Williams, Costelow, James.

T Williams ruled out through injury, it says.

[Son of Mathonwy]

About the best we can do with who's in the squad and fit. Botham vs Plumtree is a surprise but I'm okay with it. I'd have swapped Llewellyn for James but I can understand why Gatland wants to give the centres time to gel. Rogers vs Dyer is fine - Rogers covers full back which makes sense.

[pompey-zebra]

About the best we can do with who's in the squad and fit. Botham vs Plumtree is a surprise but I'm okay with it. I'd have swapped Llewellyn for James but I can understand why Gatland wants to give the centres time to gel. Rogers vs Dyer is fine - Rogers covers full back which makes sense.

Gatland said at his press conference that Dyer's omission was a " kick up the backside" and similarly for Plumtree. Which might be Gatland's intention, but Rogers and Botham's selection should give a bit more flexibility. Especially after being a bit hamstrung with the 6-2 bench against Fiji.

[Buggaluggs]

Australia appear to have made solid progress from the summer. Not sure we have. I do not foresee a huge win for us!

[pompey-zebra]

Tomos Williams rules out of the remaining AI's now and Kieran Hardy called up.

[pompey-zebra]

Here's the Aussie team:
Wright; Kellaway, Ikitau, Kerevi, Jorgensen; Lolesio, White; Bell, Faessler, Alaalatoa, Frost, Skelton, Uru, McReight, Valetini.

Replacements: Paenga-Amosa, Slipper, Nonggorr, Salakaia-Loto, Gleeson, McDermott, Donaldson, Suaalii

[Graigwen]

I am reconciled to the near certainty of 12 consecutive losses. I think we have the potential to do better, but the players have to play more like a team.

Dyer is out of form, possibly for the first time since his international career started. He is probably trying too hard, and even out of form he is still half decent.

[Son of Mathonwy]

I am reconciled to the near certainty of 12 consecutive losses. I think we have the potential to do better, but the players have to play more like a team.

Dyer is out of form, possibly for the first time since his international career started. He is probably trying too hard, and even out of form he is still half decent.

Benching Suaalii is not exactly a sign of respect to us.

We'll be lucky to get a result against a well-coached Australia that's on a clear upward trajectory. But if we lose, with SA and France as our next opponents, a 13-match losing streak beacons. Will Gatland still be around for the 13th?

Dyer's a reasonable international winger, no more than that. Let's see what Rogers can do instead.

[Son of Mathonwy]

Scoreline? My guess is
Wales 24 - 38 Australia

[Sandydragon]

About the best we can do with who's in the squad and fit. Botham vs Plumtree is a surprise but I'm okay with it. I'd have swapped Llewellyn for James but I can understand why Gatland wants to give the centres time to gel. Rogers vs Dyer is fine - Rogers covers full back which makes sense.

Agreed. There arent many other players who are pushing for inclusion (who are fit). Swapping centres everytime we lose isnt going to help anyone.

[Sandydragon]

Not the greatest start. Beard leaves with a dead leg. Botham is knocked out but somehow stays on the field and we are five points down.

Australia looking dangerous whenever they get the ball. We defending hard but not putting enough pressure on them.

[Sandydragon]

That’s just embarrassing.

We are on the attack through 8 or 9 phases and lose the ball backwards. Ends up with Aussie second row who runs half the length of the pitch to score.

This could be a very long afternoon at this rate

[Wallpaperman]

That’s just embarrassing.

We are on the attack through 8 or 9 phases and lose the ball backwards. Ends up with Aussie second row who runs half the length of the pitch to score.

This could be a very long afternoon at this rate

Yup. Could be a proper stuffing here

[Sandydragon]

Third try scored a n the 21 minute mark.

Nil - 19

Gatland looks lost.

[Wallpaperman]

Starting to feel a bit like the 90s

[Sandydragon]

I wonder what the attendance is today. There seems to be a lot of empty seats in there today

Public voting with their feet

[Wallpaperman]

Blimey

[Wallpaperman]

I wonder what the attendance is today. There seems to be a lot of empty seats in there today

Public voting with their feet

I enjoyed the scrum and that’s a cracking try. The scrum might give them something to think about

[Sandydragon]

Welsh try!!!

We managed to keep hold of the ball for a few phases and recycle it quickly. Much better.

[Sandydragon]

I wonder what the attendance is today. There seems to be a lot of empty seats in there today

Public voting with their feet

I enjoyed the scrum and that’s a cracking try. The scrum might give them something to think about

Hopefully. They are certainly seeing our restart as fair game

[Wallpaperman]

I wonder what the attendance is today. There seems to be a lot of empty seats in there today

Public voting with their feet

I enjoyed the scrum and that’s a cracking try. The scrum might give them something to think about

Hopefully. They are certainly seeing our restart as fair game

Another scrum, let’s see

[Wallpaperman]

Here we go

[Sandydragon]

When we put the pressure on they start to leak penalties. Better. 19-10 now

[Sandydragon]

We’re getting quicker ruck ball.

I much prefer Botham at six compared to Plumtree.

[Sandydragon]

13-19. Much better from Wales. Could do with another score before half time, the Aussies look a bit rattled