Defeat in Saturday's Melbourne clash against Australia would make it nine on the bounce, with Wales not having won since beating 2023 World Cup ...
Australia v Wales kicks off at 10.45am (UK time) at AAMI Park in Melbourne on Saturday, July 13. What TV channel is Australia v Wales on?
Slipper skippers Wallabies once again
It’s another change in the captain’s seat as the veteran James Slipper takes over.
Liam Wright, who lead the side last week, is out today with an injury picked up from the first Test.
The exciting 23-year-old Charlie Cale gets a start at No 8 as Rob Valetini moves to the flank.
Last week’s dynamic back three get another chance to shine and hooker Josh Nasser will make his debut off the bench that is split between five forwards and three backs.
Gatland changes four in pursuit of series leveller
Two positional shifts, two switches in personnel for Wales.
Sadly the brilliant Aaron Wainwright is out injured so Taine Plumtree slots into the No 8 position. Big shoes to fill there.
James Botham joins the back row with Tommy Reffell keeping his place.
Young Cameron Winnett starts at full-back with Liam Williams and Rio Dyer patrolling the wings. Mackenzie Martin will look to make an impact off the bench.
Wales: Winnett; Williams, Watkin, Grady, Dyer; B Thomas, Bevan; G Thomas, Lake (c), Griffin, Tshiunza, Jenkins, Botham, Reffell, Plumtree.
Replacements: Lloyd, Mathias, O’Connor, Hill, Martin, Hardy, Costelow, Tompkins.
Australia v Wales: Score and latest updates from Melbourne Test
Good morning all, or good evening depending on which side of the globe you’re tuning in from for this mouth watering Test rematch between Wales and Australia in Melbourne. 7 days ago the two rugby strongholds came up against each other in Sydney where the Wallabies continued their incredible winning streak at home over the Welsh, winning 25-16.
That streak now extends - almost embarrassingly - to 55 years for Wales. It’s far from the first time the question has been asked, but can this finally be the day where The Dragons break this Aussie voodoo curse?
That isolated victory for Wales came in 1969 during their tour of Australia, New Zealand and Fiji when the Dragons won 16-19 at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Back then it was the likes of J.P.R. Williams. Brian Price and Barry John wearing the red jersey.
Today it’s a much younger and less experienced side in Melbourne. Gatland’s men may be in a period of transition but eight losses in a row doesn’t look pretty whichever way you observe it. In that time, Wales have plummeted to an all-time low of 11th in the world rankings. A win here today will mean a lot for Gatland and his men, not just historically, but for morale, pride and progress.
As for the hosts, this is only Joe Schmidt’s second game in charge of the Wallabies but if the first test was anything to go off there’s things to be excited about from an Aussie perspective. They hit a stride against Wales last week, playing some scintillating rugby at times. Australian fans will be hoping for more of the same today.
Kick off is at 10.45am UK time; 7.45pm in Melbourne.
9:45AM
Lake: Morale no issue despite eight-match losing streak
Dewi Lake says that morale is not an issue as Wales strive to end one of the longest losing runs in their international rugby history.
Defeat in Saturday’s Melbourne clash against Australia would make it nine on the bounce, with Wales not having won since beating 2023 World Cup opponents Georgia.
Their record against the Wallabies Down Under is similarly abysmal, having lost 12 successive Tests since claiming a victory in Sydney 55 years ago.
After losing the Sydney opener 25-16, Wales will line up at AAMI Park without influential number eight Aaron Wainwright, who suffered a hamstring injury late in that game.
A reshuffled back-row sees Taine Plumtree switching from blindside flanker to cover Wainwright’s absence, with James Botham handed a start alongside Plumtree and openside Tommy Reffell.
Wales head coach Warren Gatland has also made an enforced change behind the scrum after an elbow injury sidelined Gloucester wing Josh Hathaway.
Liam Williams moves from full-back to replace him, while Cameron Winnett regains the number 15 shirt for his seventh start in the last eight Tests.
“I don’t think morale is something we have been struggling with,” Wales captain Lake said.
“Obviously, there is huge disappointment at the losses. It is more putting the finishing touches on things, getting our preparation right and tearing into the weekend.
“Ten minutes to go, we were still in the game last week, and that is key for us to stay in these games. We also need to start fast in both halves.
“We are feeling good, feeling confident. Off the back of a loss last week we’ve had a good training week and are ready to go again.
“I think it is massive for us. We are eight losses in a row now and what this group needs is a win just to kick-start that run of form.
“Winning is a habit, so as soon as we get that first one under our belt you never know what is going to happen.”
Reflecting on the first Test loss, Lake added: “There was a lot of disappointment.
“We created a lot of opportunities for ourselves, and we spoke afterwards about taking those opportunities. It is what Test rugby is all about.
“The great thing about these summer tours and Test series is you lose one week, you get a chance to have another crack the following week.
“We will have learnt from last weekend, as I am sure Australia would have done. It is important that we implement the things we learnt.”
Gatland has just a 30 per cent success rate since returning for a second stint as Wales boss, with 14 defeats from 20 Tests.
And there is increasing pressure on the New Zealander as Wales look for an overdue revival in terms of results.
Australia v Wales: rugby union international – live updates. Updates from the match at AAMI Park in Melbourne; Kick-off is 7:45pm local/10 ...
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Defeat in Saturday's Melbourne clash against Australia would make it nine on the bounce, with Wales not having won since beating 2023 World Cup ...
Australia v Wales kicks off at 10.45am (UK time) at AAMI Park in Melbourne on Saturday, July 13. What TV channel is Australia v Wales on?
Slipper skippers Wallabies once again
It’s another change in the captain’s seat as the veteran James Slipper takes over.
Liam Wright, who lead the side last week, is out today with an injury picked up from the first Test.
The exciting 23-year-old Charlie Cale gets a start at No 8 as Rob Valetini moves to the flank.
Last week’s dynamic back three get another chance to shine and hooker Josh Nasser will make his debut off the bench that is split between five forwards and three backs.
Wallabies: Wright; Kellaway, Flook, Paisami, Daugunu; Lolesio, Gordan; Slipper (c), faessler, Tupou, Williams, Salakaia-Loto, Valetini, McReight, Cale.
Replacements: Nasser, Kailea, Alaalatoa, Blyth, Gleeson, White, Donaldson, Pietsch.
Gatland changes four in pursuit of series leveller
Two positional shifts, two switches in personnel for Wales.
Sadly the brilliant Aaron Wainwright is out injured so Taine Plumtree slots into the No 8 position. Big shoes to fill there.
James Botham joins the back row with Tommy Reffell keeping his place.
Young Cameron Winnett starts at full-back with Liam Williams and Rio Dyer patrolling the wings. Mackenzie Martin will look to make an impact off the bench.
Wales: Winnett; Williams, Watkin, Grady, Dyer; B Thomas, Bevan; G Thomas, Lake (c), Griffin, Tshiunza, Jenkins, Botham, Reffell, Plumtree.
Replacements: Lloyd, Mathias, O’Connor, Hill, Martin, Hardy, Costelow, Tompkins.
Australia v Wales: Score and latest updates from Melbourne Test
Good morning all, or good evening depending on which side of the globe you’re tuning in from for this mouth watering Test rematch between Wales and Australia in Melbourne. 7 days ago the two rugby strongholds came up against each other in Sydney where the Wallabies continued their incredible winning streak at home over the Welsh, winning 25-16.
That streak now extends - almost embarrassingly - to 55 years for Wales. It’s far from the first time the question has been asked, but can this finally be the day where The Dragons break this Aussie voodoo curse?
That isolated victory for Wales came in 1969 during their tour of Australia, New Zealand and Fiji when the Dragons won 16-19 at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Back then it was the likes of J.P.R. Williams. Brian Price and Barry John wearing the red jersey.
Today it’s a much younger and less experienced side in Melbourne. Gatland’s men may be in a period of transition but eight losses in a row doesn’t look pretty whichever way you observe it. In that time, Wales have plummeted to an all-time low of 11th in the world rankings. A win here today will mean a lot for Gatland and his men, not just historically, but for morale, pride and progress.
As for the hosts, this is only Joe Schmidt’s second game in charge of the Wallabies but if the first test was anything to go off there’s things to be excited about from an Aussie perspective. They hit a stride against Wales last week, playing some scintillating rugby at times. Australian fans will be hoping for more of the same today.
Kick off is at 10.45am UK time; 7.45pm in Melbourne.
9:45AM
Lake: Morale no issue despite eight-match losing streak
Dewi Lake says that morale is not an issue as Wales strive to end one of the longest losing runs in their international rugby history.
Defeat in Saturday’s Melbourne clash against Australia would make it nine on the bounce, with Wales not having won since beating 2023 World Cup opponents Georgia.
Their record against the Wallabies Down Under is similarly abysmal, having lost 12 successive Tests since claiming a victory in Sydney 55 years ago.
After losing the Sydney opener 25-16, Wales will line up at AAMI Park without influential number eight Aaron Wainwright, who suffered a hamstring injury late in that game.
A reshuffled back-row sees Taine Plumtree switching from blindside flanker to cover Wainwright’s absence, with James Botham handed a start alongside Plumtree and openside Tommy Reffell.
Wales head coach Warren Gatland has also made an enforced change behind the scrum after an elbow injury sidelined Gloucester wing Josh Hathaway.
Liam Williams moves from full-back to replace him, while Cameron Winnett regains the number 15 shirt for his seventh start in the last eight Tests.
“I don’t think morale is something we have been struggling with,” Wales captain Lake said.
“Obviously, there is huge disappointment at the losses. It is more putting the finishing touches on things, getting our preparation right and tearing into the weekend.
“Ten minutes to go, we were still in the game last week, and that is key for us to stay in these games. We also need to start fast in both halves.
“We are feeling good, feeling confident. Off the back of a loss last week we’ve had a good training week and are ready to go again.
“I think it is massive for us. We are eight losses in a row now and what this group needs is a win just to kick-start that run of form.
“Winning is a habit, so as soon as we get that first one under our belt you never know what is going to happen.”
Reflecting on the first Test loss, Lake added: “There was a lot of disappointment.
“We created a lot of opportunities for ourselves, and we spoke afterwards about taking those opportunities. It is what Test rugby is all about.
“The great thing about these summer tours and Test series is you lose one week, you get a chance to have another crack the following week.
“We will have learnt from last weekend, as I am sure Australia would have done. It is important that we implement the things we learnt.”
Gatland has just a 30 per cent success rate since returning for a second stint as Wales boss, with 14 defeats from 20 Tests.
And there is increasing pressure on the New Zealander as Wales look for an overdue revival in terms of results.