Rugby Update: Wales’ huge list of injuries, Toby Faletau likely to make his debut against Australia
Wales is going to play its first match of this autumn season against Australia at Millennium Stadium, Cardiff on Saturday this week. But the real bad news for Welsh Rugby Fans is that their most of the star players are out from rugby due to injuries. The
number of injured Welsh players is increasing every day. It will be not an easy task for Wales to play against Australia without many star players.
Welsh Rugby Board has called 19 years old Toby Faletau in the team, who is the son of a former Tongan international rugby player Kuli, who played for Tonga in the 1999 world cup.
Toby was Man of the Match in the match against Ospreys, where he was playing for Dragons in the last week and Dragons won that game with the score of 21-16. Still his fitness and form is not sure, as he only played 2 games in this season. He got an ankle
injury, while he was playing in the junior World Championship in Argentina back in June. Injury kept him out from rugby for six months.
Before his selection in Welsh National team, Welsh coach Gatland spent some time with Toby to check his fitness and form and included him in the squad. Although, Toby has selected in the Welsh squad but his selection in the final team is still question mark.
Wales will start with Jonathan Thomas, Sam Warburton and Martyn Williams but if they receive any further injury in this week then Toby will be the part of team.
Toby will be the latest teenager if he gets cap in the game against Australia. In the last season, Wales given cap to Tom Prydie, who was 18. Tavis Knoyle the 2nd teenager went to tour of New Zealand in the summer and 3rd one is Kristian
Phillips, who was part of squad in the whole last season but he couldn’t play any match.
Wales’ assistant coach Shaun Edwards spoke to media on the inclusion of Toby and said he doesn’t see Toby play on Saturday night, but he was told that he is a very good talent and can serve Wales for long time. Further he said,
"He is a powerful, explosive ball carrier who gets over the gain line. I am sure that Warren will take a look at him in training. Whether he plays during the series or not, he will go back to his region with a greater desire to play for his country.
It will do him the world of good to be involved."
It will be not an easy go for Gatland, as many of the star players like Ryan Jones, Rob McCusker and Andy Powell are out from the team due to injuries. Because of this problem, Gatland has also included 3 more players to his squad, out of which Dafydd Hewitt
and Scott Williams will also get their first opportunity.
Although, many stars are missing but still Welsh team looked very motivated and Gatland is hopeful that his team will give a very tough time to Australia.
Stephen Jones, who is the main player of Wales’ squad and will be part of team in the match against Australia, said that they have to concentrate on their own game and make sure that they don't divert away from the plans they have this month. They need to
forget the injuries now. He further said they have to ask themselves what they are good at and how they are evolving as a squad. On Saturday and the rest of this month, they will need to be efficient and accurate in everything they do. They can't be sloppy
and they can't turnover ball. If they are to have a chance of winning these games, they will need to gather momentum.
Although, Wales was beaten by Australia when they played last time in the last season at Cardiff but they have also beaten Australia many times, so they should keep all the positives in their mind and play with confidence, as this is the only way to compete
with Aussies.
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