The Clash of Titans: All You Need to Know About Wales vs Australia at the Rugby World Cup

Sport Rugby Union Wales vs Australia: Rugby World Cup kick-off time, TV channel, team news, lineups, venue, odds today

A Crucial Clash at the Rugby World Cup

Australia and Wales are set to face off in a highly anticipated match at the Rugby World Cup on Sunday. For Australia, this match is do-or-die territory after their shocking defeat to Fiji last weekend. A loss to Wales would greatly hinder their chances of advancing to the knockout stage. On the other hand, Wales, who are currently at the top of Pool C with 10 points from victories against Fiji and Portugal, aim to secure their place in the next phase with a third consecutive win.

Date, Kick-off Time, and Venue

The Wales vs Australia match is scheduled for Sunday, September 24, 2023, with kick-off set for 8pm BST. The game will be hosted by the OL Stadium in Lyon.

Where to Watch

In the UK, the match will be televised live on free-to-air channel ITV1, with coverage starting at 7:15pm. Additionally, the game can be streamed for free via the ITV website and ITVX app. Standard Sport will also provide a live match blog for those who want to follow the action as it unfolds.

Team News and Lineups

Wales made extensive changes to their lineup for their previous Pool C fixture against Portugal but have now reverted back to the same XV that started their opening match against Fiji. Jac Morgan will captain the team from the flanker position, and the notable absence from the matchday squad is co-skipper Dewi Lake, with Elliot Dee serving as backup to starting hooker Ryan Elias. Prop Henry Thomas is in line to make his World Cup debut, and lock Adam Beard will earn his 50th cap. Tommy Reffell, unfortunately, misses out once again due to a calf injury.

For Australia, Ben Donaldson has been moved from full-back to fly-half, with Andrew Kellaway taking over the full-back position and Carter Gordon being relegated to the bench. Tate McDermott, the first-choice scrum-half, returns after recovering from a concussion, and hooker Dave Porecki will once again serve as captain in the absence of Will Skelton. There have also been shuffles in the back row, with Rob Leota starting at blindside flanker and Tom Hooper shifting to the openside, while Fraser McReight moves to the bench.

Referee

The referee for the Wales vs Australia match will be England’s Wayne Barnes. He will be assisted by Luke Pearce and Christophe Ridley, with Tom Foley serving as the TMO.

Prediction

There is no shortage of pressure for both teams in this match. Eddie Jones, the under-fire Wallabies coach, acknowledges that his job is on the line. He has expressed confidence that his team will emerge victorious, but his mind games may now be wearing thin. Wales, on the other hand, has the opportunity to make a statement by defeating Australia and securing their own quarter-final berth. It is predicted to be a captivating and physical match, with Wales narrowly coming out on top with a three-point victory.

Head to Head History

Wales had a long wait for victory against Australia, as their previous win occurred in 2008. However, they managed to secure three consecutive victories between 2018 and 2021. The most recent encounter took place in Cardiff during the 2022 round of autumn internationals, where Wales led 34-13 before inexplicably losing 39-34. This loss led to the dismissal of Wayne Pivac as head coach, as Wales only managed three wins throughout the calendar year.

Latest Odds

The latest odds for the Wales vs Australia match are as follows:

– Wales to win: 5/6
– Australia to win: 11/10
– Draw: 18/1

Please note that these odds are subject to change.

Conclusion

The clash between Wales and Australia at the Rugby World Cup promises to be an intense battle with high stakes for both teams. While Australia desperately needs a win to keep their tournament hopes alive, Wales aims to consolidate their position as Pool C leaders. The match is expected to be fiercely contested, with both teams giving their all to secure victory. Rugby fans around the world will be eagerly watching this showdown to see which team emerges triumphant.