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Aaron Wainwright ruled out as Wales name team to take on Wallabies

309 days ago

Warren Gatland, Head Coach of Wales is pictured ahead of the Summer Rugby International between South Africa and Wales at Twickenham Stadium on June 22, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images)

Taine Plumtree will start in the No. 8 jersey for just the second time in his young Test career after incumbent Aaron Wainwright was ruled out of the remainder of Wales’ tour in Australia with a devastating hamstring injury.

Wainwright, 26, put in a solid shift in last weekend’s 25-16 loss to the Wallabies in Sydney before unfortunately limping off the field with 80 minutes and 37 seconds up on the match clock. That has proved to be a big moment in the context of this two-match series.

Technical coach Rob Howley couldn’t confirm earlier this week whether the 50-Test backrower would be available to suit up on Saturday evening, but now rugby fans know the answer. Wainwright will not take the field, but it’s not all bad news for the Welsh.

Joe Schmidt and Liam Wright after Wallabies win over Wales

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Joe Schmidt and Liam Wright after Wallabies win over Wales

Coach Joe Schmidt and captain Liam Wright spoke to media following their 25-16 win over Wales in Sydney. Wright became the 89th captain of Australia when he led the side out for the first time in front of more than 35,00

There was some uncertainty surrounding the fitness and availability of outside back Liam Williams but the Kubota Spears flyer has been named in the Wales XV. Williams will shift from fullback to the right wing, with Cameron Winnett earning a start in the No. 15 jumper.

Josh Hathaway drops out of the starting side to accommodate for that selection in what are the only changes to the backline that took on the Aussies last time out.

The tight five also remains the same with Gareth Thomas, captain Dewi Lake and Archie Griffin making up the front three. Lining up in the middle row is the towering duo of Christ Tshiunza and Dafydd Jenkins.

Loose forward James Botham has been promoted off the bench with coach Warren Gatland named the Cardiff Blues enforcer to start at blindside flanker. Tommy Reffell and Plumtree round out what’s a strong-look Welsh outfit.

“We are looking forward to getting back out on pitch this weekend in Melbourne,” coach Warren Gatland said in a statement.

“This week we’ve been going through our processes, building on what worked well and sharpening the areas that need improvement.

Head-to-Head

Last 5 Meetings

Wins

Draws

Wins

Average Points scored

First try wins

80%

Home team wins

60%

“We expect Australia to go up another level this weekend and we know we need to as well.

“We want to start well and make sure we are disciplined and accurate from the off. Then it’s about keeping in the arm-wrestle for the duration.”

Wales hasn’t won a Test since getting the better of Georgia in last year’s Rugby World Cup pool stages. Cymru has since lost eight matches on the bounce, so they’ll be looking to snap that streak before it extends to nine in Melbourne.

The second Test between Wales and Australia at Melbourne’s AAMI Park will get underway at 19:45 (local time) / 10:45 (BST) on Saturday.

Wales team to take on Wallabies in Melbourne

15. Cameron Winnett

14. Liam Williams

13. Owen Watkin

12. Mason Grady

11. Rio Dyer

10. Ben Thomas

9. Ellis Bevan

1. Gareth Thomas

2. Dewi Lake (c)

3. Archie Griffin

4. Christ Tshiunza

5. Dafydd Jenkins

6. James Botham

7. Tommy Reffell

8. Taine Plumtree

Replacements

16. Evan Lloyd

17. Kemsley Mathias

18. Harri O’Connor

19. Cory Hill

20. Mackenzie Martin

21. Kieran Hardy

22. Sam Costelow

23. Nick Tompkins

Comments

1 Comment

TI 309 days ago

So that will be a comfortable W for the Wallabies.

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Comments on RugbyPass

Cantab 3 days ago

Teenager Braxton Sorensen-McGee reflects on dream Black Ferns debut

Although NZ won comfortably enough they weren’t always convincing and a better opposition may well have found them out. If our gun 7s players can translate their skills to the 15s game the team would have the ability to beat anyone. Need to be given the chance though.

4 Go to comments

James 3 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

And how do you see the Wallabies loosehead / Lion’s tighthead battle Nick?

37 Go to comments

dw 3 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Also interested in your thoughts on A Bell. Haven't noticed many scrum issues recently. He also seems to play 60 or so mins every game. A bit of a fan (even though he’s a tah..) but wondered if the Lions would target his scrummaging

37 Go to comments

dw 3 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

True. And you look at how the European coaches have got so much out of skelton and how much the local fans love him…and then some Oz fans will still say “he played poorly for the tahs I'm 2015!”

37 Go to comments

dw 3 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Thanks Nick but your headline has just jinxed us and reminded me of that night in 2013!

I love any analysis of the scrums such as the above. Cheers.

Allalatoa seems to be in good form and Nongorr appears to be able to hold his own? I think they will pick Tupou regardless of form. After Friday night I am concerned he could be sent off in the first five mins of the test though! He got too pumped up and hit a player high and was carded

37 Go to comments

RedWarriors 3 days ago

'Most complacent selection decision you will ever see': Barrett benching slammed as Leinster knocked out

I watched the mainstream NZ pundits eg Mils Muliaina and they DID back NZ to win almost to a man.

Ireland will talk their team up as anyone would with the caveats we are playing the ABs and match was de facto 50:50, That is not the same as dismissing the opposition. EG After the quarter John Kirwan said he was sorry France didn’t win versus SA becuase a ‘France-NZ final would be perfect. (The semis had not even been played yet, England and Argentina completely dismissed! He didn’t even realize his own arrogance) NZ are not even aware of the arrogance they exude. Has no Kiwi politely asked the national team to take down the ‘Superstars and Humble Heroes’ boasting on the AB site? Its cringeworthy stuff. Do NZ really see themselves like this?

Note all this BS about Irish arrogance started just after NZs defeat in the 2022 series. Not a coincidence.

Also: this is Irish national TV. We will talk our team up as everyone does. We care too much about judgemental and thin skinned Kiwis getting offended.

91 Go to comments

JM 3 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Aussie rugby fans are obsessed with players they hate, for whatever reason.

Michael Hooper is another one, and the hatred only increased whenever he won John Eales medals or the two times he was nominated world player of the year.

I reckon it is because our forwards are technically and mentally weak they put it all on one player who they think should make way for the messiah.

Same for the general team performance and the hate put on players like White, Lolesio, and Foley who should be pulling rabbits out of the hat every play.

I reckon, if we had of had 5 players with Hooper’s desire and drive spread across the team (and especiallythe forwards), we wouldn’t have woken up in the bottom of the ditch.

37 Go to comments

RedWarriors 3 days ago

'What he’s given to this club is nothing short of incredible'

He shouldn’t have been picked. Not physically able for the most intense matches notably in Twickenham last year. Giving him the captaincy was also a very short sighted decision then after RWC 2023. Ireland have a tendency to be a little too loyal, which can mean the team ages and the rebuild is bigger than should be.

Plenty of lads out there to fill that squad.

4 Go to comments

OJohn 3 days ago

Geoff Parling returns to Leicester as head coach

Hooray

0 Go to comments

Carlos 3 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

He was also a YC magnet.

37 Go to comments

Carlos 3 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Windsor-Faulkner-Price. 😊

37 Go to comments

Solenn Bonnet 3 days ago

Leinster cleanse palette with record URC scoreline against Zebre

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0 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 3 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Ah, the Pooler front row ! Most legendary in the history of the , I would think. Max Boyce helped…”Here we. here we, here we go, with the Pontypool front row.”

37 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 3 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Would not go as far as whole house in our family, but for me, yes, W1. Loved playing in the scrum, love watching now😀

37 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 3 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Yes, I see that article here on RP, Nick. That is good news that Schmidt is going to look at the o’seas players.

Yes, I would think you are right that LAR will qualify. On the same points as MP, but surely they are too good not to win this crunch game….could be tEnse for ROG in the stands though.

37 Go to comments

BC 3 days ago

Who would make it into a Women's British and Irish Lions starting XV?

I would pick Oifa Wafer at 6, put Aldcroft in the second row with Ward. I think Wafer is one of the few non-England players mentioned that would contend for a Red Rose shirt, the others being King and possibly Neve Jones. Conversely there are two English players mentioned, Sing and Venner, that probably won’t even make the Red Rose WC squad, let alone a Lions Tour. Still a lot can change in two years, watch out for Millie David.

1 Go to comments

Otagoman II 3 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Great article NB, thanks. I would like to know what is the reasoning why so many things are penalties in the scrum. Is it to do with safety or something else?

37 Go to comments

NB 3 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

👍