By Peter Ryan – @PeterRyanSports
Wales head into the autumn with some pressure on them, looking to snap their losing streak as they welcome three strong teams to the Principality Stadium.
Fiji, Australia, and South Africa will travel to Cardiff to take on Warren Gatland’s side. Wales aim to build on a disappointing tour Down Under, where they were bested by the Wallabies twice, though in closely contested matches.
Many key players are back in the squad, fostering optimism ahead of the first clash against Fiji on Sunday.
For those looking at betting options, Wales have good odds at 5/2 to win two or more games over the autumn, a target that, if met, could yield a rewarding payout.
Wales Heading into the Autumn
It’s safe to say it hasn’t been a prosperous period for the Welsh national side.
Many phenomenal talents retired from the international stage after the 2023 World Cup, and the transitional phase has been challenging, with Wales winless in over a year.
This has added pressure on Gatland’s shoulders. Despite recent results, there is still tremendous talent in the squad.
Wales are known for producing quality openside flankers, with Jac Morgan as a prime example.
The Ospreys flanker brings physicality and flair to any match. Wales missed his contributions in Australia over the summer, and he’ll look to make an impact in the upcoming contests.
When discussing key players in the forward pack, it’s impossible not to mention the captain, Dewi Lake. The skipper is a dynamic runner, has a commanding field presence, and is a true leader.
One position where Wales have genuinely struggled is at out-half. Gatland has experimented with Ioan Lloyd, Ben Thomas, and Sam Costelow, but with the return of Gareth Anscombe, there is now an experienced option at this crucial position.
Gareth Anscombe
The fly-half brings significant experience and could make a real difference to an attack that has shown promise but lacked a steady operator pulling the strings.
Anscombe has been playing well at Gloucester alongside the electrifying Tomos Williams, who has also played a vital role in the team.
There are exciting prospects in the side for Gatland to choose from, and he has the athletes to assemble a solid test-level team.
Looking at the opposition, Wales will feel quietly confident about achieving significant victories in front of their home crowd.
Fiji
Fiji will be looking to bounce back after a disappointing result in Murrayfield last week. It’s important to remember that some key players, unavailable for the Scotland clash, will return for the Wales game, bringing exciting talent to the showdown in Cardiff.
These two sides last met in the World Cup group stage in France, where Wales narrowly eked out a hard-fought victory. However, it’s an entirely different Welsh side taking the pitch this time.
Wales will likely aim to play a more structured contest because, historically, Fiji excel when given freedom to play their expansive game.
Discipline will be vital in deciding the encounter’s outcome, as both sides have recently been prone to conceding penalties.
It promises to be a close game, but Wales will feel confident heading into the opener, hoping to kick-start their autumn campaign with a bang.
Fiji have made considerable progress in recent years, and a win over them would give Wales a significant confidence boost.
Australia
The game against the Wallabies is arguably the most anticipated of the series for Wales, having come agonisingly close to victory during the summer.
However, this time the match is in Cardiff, which could give Wales the extra edge needed to triumph over Joe Schmidt’s Australia.
Many players who were unavailable for the tour of Australia are now back, meaning the Welsh side should be stronger than in previous matchups.
Similarly, the Wallabies have bolstered their ranks, with key players like Will Skelton and Samu Kerevi returning.
Australia showed improvement in their Rugby Championship campaign, running New Zealand close and securing a solid win over Argentina.
Both teams will go into the game with points to prove. From a Welsh perspective, they’ll want to demonstrate that they can topple the Wallabies, while a win for Australia would be valuable for a rebuilding side. This is perhaps the most intriguing matchup for both teams this autumn.
South Africa
The final game against South Africa may feel out of reach for this Wales team.
The Springboks boast such depth and quality that any team would struggle against them. However, it will be interesting to see how the contest plays out, especially in comparison to last summer.
The two sides met at Twickenham, where South Africa won comfortably. With a stronger Welsh side this time, it will be interesting to see how they stack up against the world champions.
Historically, their encounters in Cardiff have been closely contested, but on paper, South Africa are favourites for a comfortable win.
Wales will enter the contest aware of the tough challenge ahead, hoping to cause a significant upset against the Springboks.
Optimism is in the air for Welsh fans heading into the series. Key players seem fit and in good form, and exciting talents such as Blair Murray, Max Llewellyn, and Rio Dyer aim to inject fresh energy into the Welsh attack.
The Odds
For those considering a bet on Wales winning two or more games, there’s belief they have what it takes to beat Fiji and Australia, which are likely the games Gatland is targeting.
The Springboks appear to be on another level, making a Welsh victory against them seem improbable, though anything can happen on the day.
At 5/2, the odds are attractive for those keen on a longshot, with Wales’ opening games well within reach for a promising squad. It looks like an exciting autumn ahead for Wales, with hopes of a return to winning ways.
READ MORE: Gareth Anscombe says Wales will be wary of Fiji’s firepower
