Matthew Rees names as Wales captain
Scarlets player Matthew Rees has been named as the Wales captain for the first autumn Test match against Australia on 6 November.
Rees has won 39 international caps so far during his career and will take over from the injured Ospreys player Ryan Jones. Jones is absent after tearing a calf muscle against Glasgow in a Magners League
game.
"It is obviously a huge honour to captain your country, and it is something that probably won't really sink in until we get to match day.
To lead the side out at the Millennium Stadium
against a side of the strength and stature of Australia is just an amazing thought," said Rees.
Although it is unfortunate that Jones is being kept out of the team through injury, Rees does have a number of qualities that make him ideal as temporary leader of the
side.
Leadership skills
Rees is first and foremost a proud Welshman and this guarantees that he will play with pride and passion in any game. If a side sees the captain playing out of his skin
then it has the ability to rub off on other players.
Rees is very good at communicating with any section of a team. This is important because there will be spells of severe pressure against Australia where the team and certain
players have to move around quickly.
Man management is a key skill for any captain and Rees will have a big role to play in keeping his team calm before a big game. It's important he helps to turn any anxiety
into something positive.
"We are certainly looking as a squad to perform against the Wallabies
and come away with the right result to kick off our autumn campaign and this Rugby World Cup season in the right way," he added.
Betting advice
Australia will probably go into this match as the slight favourites despite Wales' home advantage. The best approach is to bet in play because it will be clear after the
first 10 to 15 minutes who is dominant and likely to win the match after 80 minutes.
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