Even a Samu Kerevi red card could not stop Australia building on an impressive win at Twickenham, with hooker Matt Faessler and full-back Tom Wright scoring hat-tricks in a 20-52 thrashing and condemning Wales to their 11th defeat in a row, a record. Wales won this matchup 40-6 at the Rugby World Cup last September, a result which now feels like it belongs in another universe, as Australia scored their most points ever away from home against Wales.
Australia made such a fast start that the record books were quickly being checked, scoring three tries inside the 20 minutes which highlighted the multiple weapons in their arsenal. Tom Wright came up with a slick sidestep past Blair Murray, before Nick Frost, the Wallabies lock and former teenage sprinter, burst free after a turnover forced in defence on James Botham. By the time Faessler finished off a patient maul the Wallabies led 19-0 and were flying.
One knock-on from the restart by Wright after Faessler’s try seemed to completely change momentum, giving Wales a scrum where Archie Griffin impressed up against highly-regarded Angus Bell as Wales won two scrum penalties on the bounce. Aaron Wainwright slipped over for a score and after two Gareth Anscombe penalties, Wales had bitten a healthy chunk out of Australia’s lead to make it 13-19 at the break, although by that point the hosts had also made a concerning 125 tackles.
Kerevi’s bad tackle on Jac Morgan kicked off the second half action. It looked bad enough to be given as a straight red on the field, but wasn’t, before being upgraded from yellow by the bunker. That meant the red card stayed at 20 minutes, whereas a straight red on the field would have meant Australia stayed at 14 for the rest of the game.
The way Australia’s maul was going they could afford to lose a couple more backs. Faesslar struck not once but twice to complete his hat-trick, with Wales now leaking penalties at the breakdown and waning after their huge defensive effort in the first half. Struggling with slow ball, Sam Costelow then threw the most obvious of interception passes for Wright to pick off and score from 60 metres out.
A Ben Thomas consolation try mattered little, with Len Ikitau try almost looking comical as he looked to pass outside, quickly realised there was no one there, before still having the pace to find his way over which sparked a mass exodus in the stands.
Wright, shortly after being named player of the match, finished things off with his hat-trick try after a break from the always lively Tate McDermott. Ben Donaldson ran out of time on the shot clock for the conversion, which almost felt like an act of pity.
More exciting strides by the Wallabies but this was desperate. It’s only bad news for Warren Gatland and Wales – the Springboks come to Cardiff next Saturday.
Match details
Scoring sequence: 0-5 Wright try, 0-10 Frost try, 0-12 Lolesio con, 0-17 Faessler try, 0-19 Lolesio con, 5-19 Wainwright try, 7-19 Anscombe con, 10-19 Anscombe pen, 13-19 Anscombe pen, 13-24 Faessler try, 13-26 Lolesio con, 13-31 Faessler try, 13-33 Loelsio con, 13-38 Wright try, 13-40 Lolesio con, 18-40 B Thomas try, 20-40 Costelow con, 20-45 Ikitau try, 20-47 Lolesio con, 20-52 Wright try
Wales: C Winnett; T Rogers (E James 54), M Llewellyn, B Thomas, B Murray; G Anscombe (S Costelow 55), E Bevan (R Williams 48); G Thomas (N Smith 54), D Lake (c, R Elias 54), A Griffin (K Assiratti 54), W Rowlands, A Beard (C Tshiunza 7), J Botham, J Morgan, A Wainwright (T Reffell 53)
Australia: T Wright; A Kellaway, L Ikitau, S Kerevi (J Aukuso-Suaalii 62), M Jorgensen (B Donaldson 76); N Lolesio (B Donaldson 76), N White (T McDermott 46); A Bell (J Slipper 40), M Faessler (B Paenga-Amosa 59), A Alaalatoa (c, Z Nonggorr 60), N Frost, W Skelton (L Salakaia-Loto 55), S Uru (L Gleeson 56), F McReight, R Valetini
Red card: Kerevi 41
Attendance: 56,188
Referee: J Doleman (NZ)
06:38 PM GMT
The full Gatland interview on TNT
06:38 PM GMT
Does Gatland want to stay?
He looked absolutely gutted in that interview, broken in some ways. It does sound like the end might be close. The TNT crew have posed the question as to whether he will want to stay. Will he depart after next week’s game against South Africa? Time will tell.
06:36 PM GMT
Joy for Australia
06:33 PM GMT
The thoughts of Warren Gatland
“It hurts. We got ourselves back into the game but to concede three tries a man up is really disappointing. We had a chance to put them under pressure and get back into it but we tried to force things and shot ourselves in the foot. When we play with tempo we look good. There were some aspects of the game that were good today including the scrum.
“It is the most challenging period of my career. What will be will be. We will have some chats, with my wife. I care passionately about Welsh rugby. There is a lot of negativity around the game. We need to make the best decision for the game. I have tried to be straight up and comfortable with whatever decision is made. If me going is the best decision then so be it.
“I do not know what the future holds. We need to make the best decision for Welsh rugby. Let’s make sure we do that.”
06:29 PM GMT
More from Lake, speaking to S4C
“We feel the same as everyone does at home. We are disappointed with the run that we are on, with the result today. We want to win games; we train hard, we work hard to win games, but we are not there yet.
“We show we are a team with weapons when we have the ball, but we need to stop other teams with the ball. Fifty points [conceded] tonight, we need to improve.
“They scored from three mauls tonight, that is normally our game. They have stopped our mauls and scored three of their own and that is just not good enough.
“I do not think anything needs to change, we just need to click. In key moments in that game, half-time we were six points down, we went into the half with the momentum and came out thinking we are in this game. One try and we would have been ahead, but the game got away. We do not need to reinvent the wheel here, we just need to take our points.”
06:27 PM GMT
Autumn Nations Series results this weekend
Friday
Ireland 22-19 Argentina
Saturday
Scotland 59-21 Portugal
England 20-29 South Africa
France 30-29 New Zealand
Sunday
Italy 20-17 Georgia
Wales 20-52 Australia
06:25 PM GMT
Wales’ Gareth Thomas speaking to S4C
“We are all very disappointed after that. We came into the game with a lot of energy, everything was in place coming into the game. We had confidence with the coaches.
“Our discipline let us down and we are very disappointed. We have let ourselves down. They were down to 14 men and we could not take advantage.
“When we were training in the week we looked sharp, there was a real confidence in the group. Soon as there was a bit of pressure on us we were not good enough. I felt we had improved in the last couple of weeks but that score was not good enough, it is very disappointing.”
06:24 PM GMT
Biggar and Warburton on TNT
06:21 PM GMT
Dewi Lake speaking post-match
06:18 PM GMT
Your views
Daniel Rone: “There needs to be a conversation as to whether Georgia should replace Wales in the Six Nations.”
Chris Hale: “As the old saying ‘goes’, never go back.”
Mr Phipps: “Nothing good to say about this and no excuses as Australia coach has had less time and they’re all professionals.”
Robert Edwards: “Gatland has to go: 1. Bringing on Elias when he is well known for poor like out throwing. The line out has gone to pot since then (as has the game) 2. Bringing off the best player on the field (Rogers) 3. Bringing on Costelow who has proven time and time again he is not worthy of playing at this level. He’s clueless
06:14 PM GMT
What now?
Should Wales sack Warren Gatland or is there no-one out there who would take this job who would do better with this group? Remember you can have your say in the comments section at the bottom of the blog.
06:12 PM GMT
Broken
Former Wales fly-half Dan Biggar has admitted on TNT “Where do they go from here?” A lot of glum faces amongst the Wales players. To make matters worse for them, Adam Beard is on crutches having limped off inside the opening ten minutes.
Former Wales captain Sam Warburton has said that they are in a “dark place”.
06:11 PM GMT
The Welsh mood right now
06:10 PM GMT
The thoughts of man of the match, Tom Wright
06:07 PM GMT
Wales knocked for 50
Australia ran in eight tries this afternoon to condemn Wales to an 11th consecutive defeat. What will the future hold for Warren Gatland now? Some tough questions for him to answer. Up next; the back-to-back world champions South Africa next Saturday! They conceded 50 points today, how many will they ship next week?
06:04 PM GMT
Full-time
That is the final act and there are some boos around the Principality Stadium. Australia have won 52-20 and Wales have now lost 11 straight matches.
06:04 PM GMT
TRY! Australia bring up 50
The man of the match adds another try to bring up the Australian half century. McDermott makes the break from the edge of his own 22 and knows he has Wright to his left, so he supplies him with the pass and Wright does the rest from around 30 metres out. The conversion is missed to the left.
06:02 PM GMT
79 mins: Wales 20 Australia 47
Costelow nearly finds Botham with a crossfield kick to the left-hand touchline but there is slightly too much on it.
Tom Wright has been named man of the match.
06:01 PM GMT
78 mins: Wales 20 Australia 47
Into the final two minutes we go.
05:58 PM GMT
TRY! Ikitau in for Australia’s seventh
Australia make yet another entry into the Wales 22 and, just a few metres out, have a penalty advantage. They do not need it though as it is shipped out to Ikitau, who steps and does Winnett like he is not there. Australia are closing in on 50 here and Wales are going to suffer their 11th consecutive defeat. The conversion is good.
Plenty of Welsh fans have seen enough and are leaving.
Len Ikitau has genuinely just looked outside to throw a pass before realising there was no one there, added a dummy, before turning on the pace to score. I actually laughed.
05:54 PM GMT
71 mins: Wales 20 Australia 40
Australia kick ahead into the Wales 22 and Suaalii nearly gets on the end of it. Murray is forced to just take it into touch and Australia have a lineout within 10 mtres of the line.
Australia knock on at the lineout and Wales can clear.
05:51 PM GMT
TRY! Thomas over
Wales are going to lose this game but they have a try with 12 minutes left. A neat tip-pass from Botham gives Thomas a simple finish from just a few metres out. Costelow lands the easy conversion.
05:50 PM GMT
67 mins: Wales 13 Australia 40
Another penalty advantage for throwing a player across at the lineout. Llewellyn is surely taken out high by Wright five metres short but we are going back for the original penalty. Australia are now receiving a warning for their discipline.
Wales take a quick tap.
05:49 PM GMT
66 mins: Wales 13 Australia 40
Australia are penalised for not rolling away on halfway. Wales kick into the Australia 22 and this time they win the lineout and a penalty in the process as Australia throw a player across.
Back to the corner they go.
05:45 PM GMT
63 mins: Wales 13 Australia 40
R Williams secures a 50-22 for Wales.
Kerevi’s red-card period is over and Suaalii is on in his place. What a debut he had last weekend against England and he is on for the final 17 minutes.
Wales lose it at the lineout and Australia can escape their 22.
05:43 PM GMT
TRY! Wright scores intercept
Wales are attacking inside the Australia half but Wright reads the pass, intercepts and runs around 70 metres to score the try. There was a TMO check for a hit by Valetini in the build-up that was a seismic hit but it is cleared. Lolesio’s successful conversion takes Australia to 40 points.
That’s now the most points (40) that Australia have scored in an away game against Wales.
05:40 PM GMT
60 mins: Wales 13 Australia 33
Australia steal the lineout through Salakaia-Loto and can clear.
05:39 PM GMT
59 mins: Wales 13 Australia 33
Jorgensen knocks on inside his own 22 which gifts Wales a scrum. They dominate at the scrum and get a penalty. To the corner they go…
05:37 PM GMT
57 mins: Wales 13 Australia 33
Wales enter into the Australia 22 and Botham thinks he has scored in the corner after a great one-handed pick-up off the ground but surely it went forward from Murray’s pass. Looking at the replays it went miles forward, which explains why some players stopped.
With plenty of changes at the start of this second half Wales have now emptied their bench. There are also just four minutes remaining on Kerevi’s red card, but remember he cannot come back on; he has to be replaced.
05:33 PM GMT
55 mins: Wales 13 Australia 33
Wales get closer and closer to the Australia but a few metres short Anscombe is shoved into touch.
05:32 PM GMT
54 mins: Wales 13 Australia 33
Wales needed that as they win a penalty on the edge of the Australia 22 for not releasing. No thought of going for three. They go to the corner as they change their entire front row.
05:31 PM GMT
TRY! Faessler hat-trick
They may be a man down but they are continuing to extend their advantage. Faessler breaks from the back of the maul and cannot be stopped despite the best efforts of a few Welsh defenders. Lolesio gets the conversion to take their lead to 20 points.
05:29 PM GMT
51 mins: Wales 13 Australia 26
Australia are closing in on the Wales line again and have a penalty as Lake is punished for not rolling away, something Wales have been penalised for time and time again today. Australia go back to the corner and they have already scored from a few mauls.
05:26 PM GMT
48 mins: Wales 13 Australia 26
We have a final decision from the bunker regarding the Kerevi incident. It has been upgraded to a red so it is a 20-minute red card and then he will be replaced as he cannot come back on.
Can understand why officials are cautious about just throwing out red cards, but that call against Samu Kerevi really should have been a straight red on the field.
05:25 PM GMT
TRY! Australia extend advantage
And it is a great decision as Faessler gets his second of the match at the rear of the maul that powers over the line. Lolesio gets the conversion and Australia lead by 13 points.
05:24 PM GMT
47 mins: Wales 13 Australia 19
White’s opposite number Bevan is the man in focus. It remains as just a penalty and it feels like he may have got away with one there. White is now heading off for an HIA and Bevan is perhaps fortunate not to have been shown a yellow there. Australia turn down three and go to the corner…
05:22 PM GMT
46 mins: Wales 13 Australia 19
Australia are coping fine with a man down as they have a lineout near the Wales 22 after winning a penalty on halfway. They win the lineout and the maul rolls into the Wales 22. They have won a penalty as Wales are punished for not rolling away.
We are now having a TMO check for a hit on White…
05:18 PM GMT
43 mins: Wales 13 Australia 19
Important turnover for the visitors. Wales get towards the Australia 22 but Uru wins a crucial penalty at the breakdown.
05:17 PM GMT
42 mins: Wales 13 Australia 19
There is contact to Morgan’s head and Kerevi is sent to the bin. It will be sent to the bunker for an off-field review. I think it will probably stay as a yellow card as there was a slight dip in height but we will have to wait and see.
05:15 PM GMT
41 mins: Wales 13 Australia 19
Kerevi might be in some trouble here. It did not look good. He belts Morgan in midfield and there must be a TMO review incoming. And there is…
05:14 PM GMT
Second half
We are back under way in Cardiff. Will it be 11 straight defeats for Wales or can they end their miserable run?
Australia have made a change at the break and it comes in the front row as Slipper replaces Bell.
05:04 PM GMT
HT verdict
I can’t lie, the record book was being consulted after Australia went 19-0 up inside 20 minutes, but ever since that Tom Wright knock-on after the restart following Australia’s third try they’ve lost their momentum, even on that final attack going off their feet inside Wales’ 22. Good response from Warren Gatland’s side.
04:58 PM GMT
Half-time
Australia are into the Wales 22 and are again into double figures for phases as the clock goes into the red. Australia are penalised for going off their feet so that is a big let-off for Wales as the first half comes to an end. Australia are ahead by six points at the break and Welsh fans probably would have taken that after 20 minutes.
04:53 PM GMT
36 mins: Wales 13 Australia 19
Rogers takes a great catch from an Anscombe up-and-under and is tackled just shy of the Australia 22. Referee James Doleman blows for an Australian penalty and wants to check a clear-out by Thomas. The TMO checks and that looked an harsh original decision. After a review they decide there was no foul play as Thomas was clearing out Kerevi and that seems like the correct call.
04:49 PM GMT
PENALTY WALES!
It is good from Anscombe once again and Wales now trail by just six after that horrid start.
04:48 PM GMT
33 mins: Wales 10 Australia 19
Another Wales penalty as Australia are caught offside, Frost the guilty party. Wales point to the posts again to make it a one-score game…
04:46 PM GMT
PENALTY WALES!
Anscombe lands it and Australia’s lead is now down to nine points.
04:45 PM GMT
29 mins: Wales 7 Australia 19
Wales win a penalty inside the Australia 22 and have responded well since conceding a third try just after the 20-minute mark. They go for the posts rather than the corner.
One plus for Wales after a tough start – Bath’s Archie Griffin winning a couple of scrum penalties on Angus Bell.
04:40 PM GMT
TRY! Wainwright responds for Wales
Wales’ scrum dominates and they win a penalty advantage. They are just a few metres from the line with another penalty advantage but they do not need it as Wainwright finds his way over. Anscombe has the easiest of conversions.
04:38 PM GMT
23 mins: Wales 0 Australia 19
That is a coach killer. Wright knocks on straight from the kick-off and Wales will have a scrum on the edge of the Australia 22.
04:37 PM GMT
TRY! Faessler over at the back of the maul
Australia are all over Wales and have their third try just past the 20-minute mark. They win the lineout and set the maul, which Wales cannot stop. Faessler is the beneficiary at the rear of the maul. Lolesio gets the conversion and Australia are not far off averaging a point a minute so far.
04:35 PM GMT
21 mins: Wales 0 Australia 12
Bevan is offside and Australia have a penalty within 10 metres of the Welsh line. Lolesio goes to the corner again and Australia have a five-metre lineout.
04:34 PM GMT
19 mins: Wales 0 Australia 12
Wales are penalised for going off their feet at the ruck on their own ball just outside their own 22. Australia turn down the chance of three points and go to the corner instead…
04:32 PM GMT
TRY! Australia capitalise on Welsh mistake
A loose ball from Wales gifts Australia their second try. The visitors pick it up inside their own half and, after an offload from Jorgensen, Ikitau passes inside to Frost. There is no stopping the Australian second-row as he gallops all the way to the try line from 50 metres out. Lolesio converts to give Australia a 12-point lead.
An Australian colleague nearby, Iain Payten from the Sydney Morning Herald, informs me that Nick Frost used to be a sprinter growing up, which explains the lock’s great pace there to race away from his own half. Wales in bother down two tries.
04:28 PM GMT
TRY! Wright over for first score of the game
It did feel like that was coming. Australia once again get into double figures of phases as they hit the Wales 22. Down the right, Wright fakes the pass to his right and beats Murray with a step to the inside, which allows him to go through for the first try of the match. Lolesio makes the mess of the conversion. Warren Gatland and Wales defence coach Mike Forshaw look very disappointed with that try as the camera pointed to them.
04:24 PM GMT
11 mins: Wales 0 Australia 0
Australia think they are about to be given a penalty for not rolling away but referee James Doleman changes his mind as Botham injured his head in the ruck, which was why he could not roll away. What is slightly strange though is that Botham is not going off for an assessment. The referee says that Botham was stunned and he has been cleared by medics to continue.
04:23 PM GMT
10 mins: Wales 0 Australia 0
Wales have done so well there in defence. Australia have a penalty advantage on halfway but they do not really need it. They shift it out to the left and, as Wright approaches the Wales 22, he neatly offloads inside to Jorgensen. The winger then passes to Kerevi, who must think he is going to score but is held up brilliantly by Rogers.
04:21 PM GMT
8 mins: Wales 0 Australia 0
Play has been halted again as Anscombe has hurt a finger but he is fine to continue.
04:20 PM GMT
7 mins: Wales 0 Australia 0
This is an early blow for Wales as lock Beard is going to have to come off with a lower-body injury. It was friendly fire in a way as he was taken out by teammate Wainwright as he attempted to tackle Bell. Exeter’s Tshinza is on in his place.
Know we always talk about the size of Will Skelton but it really hits home sat pitchside. Jac Morgan’s an excellent defender but the physical mismatch was stark.
Not what Wales needed losing Adam Beard after seven minutes – that could hurt their lineout.
04:15 PM GMT
4 mins: Wales 0 Australia 0
Wales make ground into the Australia half on their first attack of the game but Rogers is held up and Australia win the scrum.
04:12 PM GMT
2 mins: Wales 0 Australia 0
Australia win it back straight from the kick-off and go through double-digit phases but knock on on the edge of the Wales 22.
04:10 PM GMT
Kick-off
We are under way at the Principality Stadium. Can Wales snap their losing streak or will their misery continue?
04:04 PM GMT
Anthem time
As often precedes the players coming out, we have our customary lights show. I have to say the one inside the Stade de France ahead of France’s game against New Zealand last night was quite something. Both sides then emerge from the tunnel at the Principality Stadium, led out by Samu Kerevi and Rob Valetini on their 50th caps for Australia.
Now it is time for the national anthems. “Advance Australia Fair” followed by “Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau”.
Nice to see lots of green and gold out on the streets on the walk up to the ground. As for Wales, there’s a bit of resigned mood asking around about their prospects, with some holding out hope of an emotional hangover for the Wallabies after Twickenham.
04:00 PM GMT
Reminder of the team news
Wales starting XV: 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.
Australia starting XV: Wright; Kellaway, Ikitau, Kerevi, Jorgensen; Lolesio, White; Bell, Faessler, Alaalatoa (captain), Frost, Skelton, Uru, McReight, Valetini.
Replacements: Paenga-Amosa, Slipper, Nonggorr, Salakaia-Loto, Gleeson, McDermott, Donaldson, Suaalii.
Interestingly Joseph Suaalii, who was awesome on debut against England, is on the bench today. Joe Schmidt has said he was keen to get Samu Kerevi, who wins his 50th cap today and replaces Suaalii, into the side. Former Australia centre Matt Giteau has said on TNT he believes it could be a genius decision from Schmidt as Wales were probably preparing for Suaalii to start at 13. He also pointed to some defensive lapses that Warren Gatland may have looked to exploit.
03:54 PM GMT
Here is Gatland speaking to TNT
03:53 PM GMT
If not Gatland, who?
The pressure is mounting on Warren Gatland but, if he were to get sacked, who would the WRU turn to? Who would want this job and would they be able to entice a coach of a higher calibre than Gatland? Remember you can have your say in the comments section at the bottom of the blog.
03:52 PM GMT
Roberts responds
One of those voices this week is former Wales centre Jamie Roberts and he stands by his comments, responding to Gatland by saying part of the reason he has had the success he has had is because of the players he has had at his disposal. I suspect this will run and run, especially if Wales lose again today.
03:50 PM GMT
Gatland comes out swinging
The Wales head coach heads into this game under huge pressure and he has been speaking to TNT Sports ahead of the game. Some of his former players, including Jamie Roberts who is part of TNT’s team covering the game, have been vocal this week in their criticism of Gatland and he has come out swinging in his pre-match interview. He has said these same players were the very people who did not think Wales would progress from their group at the World Cup last year and that they are in their jobs today due to the success they had under his guidance. Feisty. We will have more from him very soon…
03:48 PM GMT
Time for a catch up
Today is the 12th time these two have come up against each other, with Joe Schmidt taking seven wins.
03:45 PM GMT
All over in Genoa
Italy have come from 17-6 down to beat Georgia 20-17. Huge sighs of relief amongst the Italian crowd in Genoa as they just scrape past Georgia, who are gutted at just missing out on the victory.
03:42 PM GMT
Australia’s Autumn campaign
Saturday 9 November: England 37-42 Australia
Today: Wales vs Australia
Sunday 24 November: Scotland vs Australia
Saturday 30 November: Ireland vs Australia
03:39 PM GMT
Wales’ Autumn campaign
Sunday 10 November: Wales 19-24 Fiji
Today: Wales vs Australia
Saturday 23 November: Wales v South Africa
03:31 PM GMT
Autumn Nations Series fixtures this weekend
Friday
Ireland 22-19 Argentina
Saturday
Scotland 59-21 Portugal
England 20-29 South Africa
France 30-29 New Zealand
Sunday
Italy 20-17 Georgia (Still ongoing, 77’)
Wales vs Australia (4.10pm kick-off)
03:29 PM GMT
Get your fix
03:22 PM GMT
Telegraph Rugby Podcast
Go beyond the back pages and join the Telegraph’s rugby experts and big name guests as they tackle the game’s most interesting trends, themes and talking points. Our unrivalled rugby coverage, now available on the move! New episodes out Mondays.
03:16 PM GMT
Hosts arriving
03:11 PM GMT
The thoughts this week of former Wales captain Alun Wyn Jones
“I want to see some accountability with the people that are making the decisions on the total game, not just on the field. The coaches are taking a lot of stick at the moment, but they and the players are not going out there to lose.
“Having been involved through quite a few turbulent times with things like wins, losses, strikes and mergers and all the things we have tried to correct it, why do we find ourselves with these perennial problems that keeping on in a cycle?
“We have had four or five different chief executives. We talk about leniency on the pitch, but has the leniency gone too far on the higher-ups? I am not just talking on the chief executive, who appointed the chief executive?”
03:07 PM GMT
Team news
Wales have made four changes from their defeat to Fiji. They have been forced into a change at scrum-half as Tomos Williams has been ruled out with a shoulder injury. He is replaced by Ellis Bevan. Tom Rogers replaces the injured Mason Grady on the wing. There are two alterations to the back-row as Jac Morgan and James Botham comes in for Taine Plumtree and Tommy Reffell.
Wales starting XV: 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.
Joe Schmidt makes six personnel changes from the win over England. Despite a stellar performance on debut against England last weekend, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii does not start for Australia this weekend and is replaced by Samu Kerevi, who makes his first appearance in an Australian jersey since the World Cup last year. Seru Uru, Allan Alaalatoa, Will Skelton, Max Jorgenson and Nic White also come in. Harry Wilson misses out due to concussion and Dylan Pietsch is injured.
Australia starting XV: Wright; Kellaway, Ikitau, Kerevi, Jorgensen; Lolesio, White; Bell, Faessler, Alaalatoa (captain), Frost, Skelton, Uru, McReight, Valetini.
Replacements: Paenga-Amosa, Slipper, Nonggorr, Salakaia-Loto, Gleeson, McDermott, Donaldson, Suaalii.
03:00 PM GMT
Run of defeats to continue?
Wales are aiming to end their miserable run of defeats when they take on Australia at the Principality Stadium in the Autumn Nations Series this afternoon. The hosts, who fell to a 24-19 defeat against Fiji last weekend, are bidding to avoid a record 11th consecutive defeat. Their last Test win came during the group stages of last year’s World Cup, when they beat Georgia in Nantes just over a year ago.
This run of defeats has certainly increased the pressure on head coach Warren Gatland, who returned for a second stint as Wales’ head coach back in December 2022. He has won just six games out of 22 since returning to the role and has admitted that there has been more pain than he thought there would be.
“We have tried to point out from the outset we need to go through some pain. I didn’t think there would be this much pain. There have been games where we have not been able to get over the finishing line and some close fixtures.
“If a decision is made in terms of what you are talking about [Gatland’s future], I am more than comfortable with that. I have been around the game for long enough. I will probably go back to the beach, have a glass of wine and enjoy myself away from some of the pressure!”
In light of their latest defeat, there has been plenty of criticism this week from former players who played under Gatland such as Mike Phillips and Jamie Roberts. With the pressure ramping, Gatland has said he is happy to take the blame rather than his players.
“I am comfortable with the pressure so keep writing about me. If you leave the players alone, that allows them to be more relaxed. We have not thrown in the towel in any way.
“I am not happy with where we are at the moment and there is pressure. It is a pressure potentially I don’t like, but I am not uncomfortable with it because I understand where we are. We can only continue to work as hard as we have been doing and hopefully we will get across the line.”
Australia began their European tour in dramatic circumstances, claiming the latest of late wins over old foes England at Twickenham last weekend. Mx Jorgensen’s try with the clock in the red secured a 42-37 victory for Joe Schmidt’s side.
The omens would seem to be on the visitors’ side today; they have won on nine of their 11 visits to Cardiff. Over the summer Wales went on tour down under, losing both games to Australia. However Wales thumped Australia 40-6 in the group stages of the World Cup last year as Wales topped the group with four wins from four and Australia were dumped out.
