Australia v Wales: Test 2 - Preview

 Wales Recall Former Captain Matthew Rees

Teams


Australia: 
15) Adam Ashley-Cooper 14) Cooper Vuna 13) Rob Horne 12) Pat McCabe 11) Digby Ioane 10) Berrick Barnes 9) Will Genia 1) Benn Robinson 2) Tatufa Polota-Nau 3) Sekupe Kepu 4) Rob Simmons 5) Nathan Sharpe 6) Scott Higginbotham 7) David Pocock (C) 8) Wycliff Palu


Subs- Stephen Moore, Ben Alexander, Dave Dennis, Michael Hooper, Nic White, Anthony Fainga'a, Mike Harris


Wales:
15) Leigh Halfpenny 14) Alex Cuthbert 13) Jonathan Davies 12) Ashley Beck 11) George North 10) Rhys Priestland 9) Mike Phillips 1) Gethin Jenkins 2) Matthew Rees 3) Adam Jones 4) Bradley Davies 5) Alun Wyn-Jones 6) Dan Lydiate 7) Sam Warburton 8) Ryan Jones


Subs - Richard Hibbard, Paul James, Luke Charteris, Justin Tipuric, Rhys Webb, James Hook, Scott Williams


Key Battles


Kepu vs Jenkins 


Kepu is able to shake off an injuty for this weeks match but much like last week the match must be won up front first. The experienced Jenkins and Welsh front row will need to dominate this area from the start in order to give their backs a platform to perform from. With Kepu recovering from a week forearm, it is up to Jenkins to really push Kepu and force the penalties and a solid scrum.


Verdict - Jenkins


Pocock v Warburton


Last week saw arguably the two best opensides in the world pit against each other. Pocock was able to get the better of Warburton slowing ball down and not allowing the Welsh to properly release their backs. In Saturday's test Warburton has to show the form which made him stand out in the Rugby World Cup and to slow down Australian ball. At the same time Warburton must strike a balance between a nuisance and a penalty count not allowing Barnes to slowly tick over the scores allowing Wales to fall behind.


Verdict - Pocock


Genia v Phillips


Genia was undoubtedly the hearbeat of Australia's victory at the weekend, single handedly running the game and scoring a try in the process. In contrast Phillips was the manifestation of the Welsh failure, repeated inacurate plagued the Welsh with Phillips throwing such a poor pass to Rhys Priestland in the 60th minute butchering a try which could have put Wales ahead. Phillips must improve to secure a Welsh game whilst the likes of Lydiate and Warburton must get to and slow the outstanding Genia.


Verdict - Genia 


Prediction


Wales need to step up from last week, inaccuracy plagued their play and they were punished by the Australians. With the George North shaking off an injury Wales will gain an attacking threat, however, the accuaracy most exist to release their most outstanding threat. Clearly by recalling Matthew Rees and naming a huge second row of Wyn-Jones and Davies Wales will look to slow down the play of Australia and knock lumps out of their opponents. Despite this the class of Austrlia is likely to show through. Saturday was a much improved performance from the Scotland game, with the pressure Deans is under he will demand another victory and a closed book on the series. 


Verdict -Australia to pull through by 5.