Key events
Want to see a picture of two big men shaking hands?
“For us this week the focus is reducing our turnover rate,” says Warren Gatland.
“That allowed Australia some really soft tries at the end.”
I hope he’s also focussed on execution in Australia’s red zone. There were a few moments where they could have put the game to bed themselves.
They’ll miss Wainwright either side of the ball. Wonder how his absence might impact Wales’ ability to reduce turnovers.
Yup. It’s lashing down! Could that swing things in Wales’ favour?
Word is its raining in Melbourne. Sam Warburton on my screen has hinted that a wet game might help the Welsh.
Dewi Lake is confident his team can end this eight game losing streak.
I mean, he’s not going to say anything else, is he? Still, good to hear that the Welsh skipper is backing his boys. And there’s absolutely no reason why they can’t win today.
“What this group needs is a win just to kickstart that run of form,” he said.
“Winning is a habit, so as soon as we get that first one under our belts, you never know what can happen.”
James Slipper will skipper the Wallabies for the 15th time in his illustrious career.
It was 2021 the last time he took charge of the team but the man with 135 Test caps insists on looking forward, as he said this week.
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.
Preamble
Daniel Gallan
Rapture or ruin, which will it be for these fallen giants of world rugby?
Thanks to a morale-boosting, but still relatively disjointed 25-16 win, Australia know that even a defeat here wouldn’t be a disaster. After all, this is only Joe Schmidt’s second game in charge of a team that was a laughing stock not long ago, and few have expected the Irishman to iron out every kink in such a short space of time.
For Wales, though, this really is serious business. Eight straight defeats has seen Warren Gatland’s team plummet to an all-time low of 11th on World Rugby’s rankings, below Fiji and Italy, and their supporters will be desperate for some good news.
Wales were decent in patches last week, with handy performances from Aaron Wainwright (who I’d personally back to get a Lions call next year) and a handful of others. But a more complete show is needed her, especially in the half-back positions and from the tight five.
The Wallabies won’t be in a giving mood and will be after a clean sweep to get their era off to a promising start. When they clicked seven days ago, they were electric, providing reminders that for all the off field maladies, Australian athletes are still capable of special things on the pitch.
Loads on the line with this one. Which way do you see it going? Do write in, I’d love to hear from you.
Kick off at 7:45pm in Melbourne, 10:45 BST.
Teams and updates to come.