Rugby Internationals – weekend preview
Welsh rugby union fans must be getting sick of the sight of the All Blacks.
Last week’s 49-9 defeat against New Zealand in Dunedin means it is now 57 years since the Welsh have beaten them.
But there was cause for optimism from last week’s performance. With half an hour gone, Wales should have been 10 points ahead. Instead, they were nine behind, as their attack lacked the killer instinct when crossing into the All Black’s 22.
If Wales are serious about ending the unwanted record they will need to erase the memory of the second-half showing, and concentrate on the positive play from the first.
Wales have received a boost by news that Stephen Jones has been passed fit after damaging his thumb in the 42-9 defeat and being forced to miss most of training in the build up to this game.
However, coach Warren Gatland has revealed he will start Jones on the bench, as it was always his plan to give 20-year-old Dan Biggar his first taste of major International rugby in the second Test. Biggar has represented Wales four times before, but against minor nations such as Canada and Samoa, so thiswill be a huge step up for the youngster.
"It was always the plan for Dan to get one of the games and it was just deciding whether it was the first or second Test," said Gatland.
"Stephen came through a fitness test this morning so he's fine to sit on the bench. We've been a little bit hit by injuries and we didn't bring a big squad with us so to have Steve to cover the bench is a big boost for us."
Biggar, himself has revealed he will not be overawed by the occasion, and is relishing pitting his wits against All Black No. 10, Dan Carter.
Asked for his thoughts on the New Zealand star, Biggar replied: “He’s not a bad player is he? He’s coming back to his best after a little bit of a lull. I’m sure he doesn’t need me to tell him how good he is. It’s something that I will really look to enjoy. To be on the pitch with someone as good as him is going to be a privilege.
“But it’s not something that will be daunting to me. You want to test yourself against the best because that’s what you play the game for.
“This will be the biggest challenge of my career to date, but I’m just really looking forward to getting out there.”
Talking of big challenges, Ireland play their final tour match before heading home on Saturday, and the injury hit side have the small task of trying to overcome Australia. A defeat for Declan Kidney’s men would be the fifth straight defeat, the worst spell of results since the 51-year-old took charge.
Injuries have not helped the Irish cause. Since their final match in the Six Nations against France, Ireland have lost each and every one of their first-choice pack to injury at some point, and are still without Jamie Heaslip, David Wallace, Stephen Ferris and Paul O'Connell for the clash against the Wallabies.
Despite the casualty list, Kidney’s side will go there confident of achieving an unlikely victory as England proved in Sydney last weekend that Robbie Deans' side are not the finished article just yet.
New Zealand: 15 Mils Muliaina, 14 Cory Jane, 13 Richard Kahui, 12 Benson Stanley, 11 Zac Guildford, 10 Daniel Carter, 9 Jimmy Cowan, 8 Kieran Read, 7 Richie McCaw (c), 6 Jerome Kaino, 5 Tom Donnelly, 4 Brad Thorn, 3 Neemia Tialata, 2 Keven Mealamu, 1 Tony Woodcock.
Replacements: 16 Aled de Malmanche, 17 Owen Franks, 18 Sam Whitelock, 19 Adam Thomson, 20 Piri Weepu, 21 Aaron Cruden, 22 Rene Ranger.
Wales: 15 Lee Byrne, 14 Leigh Halfpenny, 13 Jonathan Davies, 12 Jamie Roberts, 11 Tom Prydie, 10 Dan Biggar, 9 Mike Phillips, 8 Ryan Jones (c), 7 Gavin Thomas, 6 Jonathan Thomas, 5 Alun Wyn Jones, 4 Bradley Davies, 3 Adam Jones, 2 Matthew Rees, 1 Paul James.
Replacements: 16 Huw Bennett, 17 Craig Mitchell, 18 Deiniol Jones, 19 Rob McCusker, 20 Richard Rees, 21 Stephen Jones, 22 Will Harries.
Australia: 15 James O'Connor, 14 Drew Mitchell, 13 Rob Horne, 12 Matt Giteau, 11 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 10 Quade Cooper, 9 Luke Burgess, 8 Richard Brown, 7 David Pocock, 6 Rocky Elsom (c), 5 Mark Chisholm, 4 Dean Mumm, 3 Salesi Ma'afu, 2 Saia Faingaa, 1 Ben Daley.
Replacements: 16 Huia Edmonds, 17 James Slipper, 18 Mitchell Chapman, 19 Matt Hodgson, 20 Josh Valentine, 21 Berrick Barnes, 22 Kurtley Beale.
Ireland: 15 Rob Kearney, 14 Tommy Bowe, 13 Brian O'Driscoll (c), 12 Paddy Wallace, 11 Andrew Trimble, 10 Jonathan Sexton, 9 Tomas O'Leary, 8 Chris Henry, 7 Shane Jennings, 6 Niall Ronan, 5 Mick O'Driscoll, 4 Donncha O'Callaghan, 3 Tony Buckley, 2 Sean Cronin, 1 Cian Healy.
Replacements: 16 Damien Varley, 17 Tom Court, 18 Dan Tuohy, 19 Rhys Ruddock, 20 Eoin Reddan, 21 Ronan O'Gara, 22 Geordan Murphy.
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