WARREN GATLAND HAS drafted in Justin Tipuric to his backrow for Saturday’s Pool A decider with Australia at Twickenham.
With number eight David Pocock causing havoc at the breakdown for Australia last week, Gatland is giving a chance to his rucking specialist Tipuric, with Dan Lydiate dropping out of the matchday squad.
Although Lydiate suffered an eye-socket injury in the win against Fiji, the coach had reported a fully-fit squad to choose from.
Tipuric is one of six personnel changes made by Gatland following the Fiji win, with Gareth Anscombe brought in at fullback for Matthew Morgan, and Tyler Morgan stepping out for Liam Williams, meaning George North moves into the centre.
The halfback pairing of Gareth Davies and Dan Biggar is retained for the third game in a row, after impressing in the wins against England and Fiji.
In the front row Scott Baldwin has two new props by his side with Samson Lee and Paul James returning to bolster a Welsh scrum that has struggled so far in the tournament.
Luke Charteris replaces Bradley Davies in the second row to partner Alun Wyn Jones, while Tipuric is the only change in the backrow, linking up with captain Sam Warburton and Talupe Faletau.
The prize for the winners of the meeting between Wales and Australia is a quarter final against either Scotland or Japan, after South Africa sealed top spot in Pool B yesterday.
Wales (v Australia)
15. Gareth Anscombe
14. Alex Cuthbert
13. George North
12. Jamie Roberts
11. Liam Williams
10. Dan Biggar
9. Gareth Davies
1. Paul James
2. Scott Baldwin
3. Samson Lee
4. Luke Charteris
5. Alun Wyn Jones
6. Sam Warburton (Capt)
7. Justin Tipuric
8. Taulupe Faletau
Replacements:
16. Ken Owens
17. Aaron Jarvis
18. Tomas Francis
19. Jake Ball
20. Ross Moriarty
21. Lloyd Williams
22. Rhys Priestland
23. James Hook
With Hooper out and two breakdown specialists for the Welsh this could be a very interesting match.
A quarter final against Scotland or Japan. It most likely will be Scotland but Japan still have a chance!
A handy QF for the winner but I would expect either of them would beat South Africa anyway.
Gatland knows his stuff, just waiting for a bookies to give me 3/1 on Wales. Have a nibble on it
aussies by 12 at least
I fancy Wales to win but at the same time their record against Australia is shocking bad
It is indeed and, although most of the games were close (ave margin of <4 in last 8 games, dating back to 2011 RWC) the memory of losing in so many tight finishes may weigh heavy on their minds come 70-75 minutes.
In Wales' favour, however, they appear to be getting mentally stronger all the time and have got over the line in very tight tests against South Africa, England & Ireland since they last lost to Australia, plus a large chunk of their players were part of the winning Lions team in Australia two years ago.
It will probably be a one score game again, either way. Should be a cracker.
Was always coming. Hooper v Tipuric, Pocock v Warburton. The tactics of who is outplayed should reveal how Ireland could play against the winner.
Hooper is suspended, so it’s McMahon vs Tipuric. Very good player in Super 15 but inexperienced at international level, which might give Wales the edge in this crucial dept.
I agree, but think the better aussie bench will see them home