Wales promises to play running rugby against Australia
Welsh defence coach Shaun Edwards has said that Wales will aim to match Australia’s running style of rugby for their opening game in the Autumn Internationals on Saturday 6 November at the Millennium Stadium.
The new law directives that are already been used by the Southern Hemisphere teams gives the attacking team an advantage, and this is set to make for an attacking, free flowing game of rugby.
“There will be two teams playing running rugby and if you had said that 12 months ago when kicking was dominating you would probably look like you'd gone insane. The game has changed so much in that time and everyone has got a smile on their face because
of that," said Edwards.
It was believed that Welsh head coach Warren Gatland would attempt to play a more forward orientated game as Wales appears to hold the advantage in the front five. However, Edwards claims that his side will attack Australia and try to emulate their running
style.
“Australia are a very formidable outfit at the moment. Even in the Tri Nations they were the team playing the most rugby, although New Zealand won more."
"The way they are trying to play is great for the development of rugby and for people who like to watch running rugby,” said the Welsh defensive coach.
As a result Edwards believes that the best way to defeat the Wallabies is to attack them by playing a similar brand of attacking rugby, rather than attempting to play a defensive kicking game.
“They are an incredibly difficult team to try to defend against, but we are up for the challenge and very determined to redress what happened against them the last time we played," said Edwards.
Wales were well beaten in the last match they played against Australia losing 33-12 in November 2009.
Since then, Gatland has played a more structured game, but Wales have promised that they will try to play some exciting running rugby.
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