By Peter Ryan – @PeterRyanSports
Nothing beats a crisp autumn afternoon in the Welsh capital, especially when Wales takes to the Principality Stadium.
Even though results haven’t been going their way, there is always a special feeling when those famous red jerseys hit the iconic venue.
Wales will welcome Australia as they seek revenge for their summer tour Down Under and aim to right the wrongs from last week’s performance against Fiji.
It is always an entertaining clash when the two teams meet, and this upcoming game promises to be no different, creating exciting betting options for us to explore.
Wales
There will be tremendous pressure on the Welsh heading into the game against the Wallabies. They have lost ten on the bounce and desperately need a good result.
Last week’s game against Fiji was disappointing, as Wales would have felt it was a winnable match.
Warren Gatland’s team started strong, with Blair Murray scoring a try on his debut.
However, Fiji weathered the early storm and came away with their first win against Wales in Cardiff.
In their last five games, Wales have averaged 18 points per contest. The squad, including Jac Morgan, Gareth Anscombe, and Ben Thomas, possesses terrific talent.
This talent has led the Welsh to many close contests, but they have struggled to get over the line and secure victory.
Wales will go into the game missing key players, the first being Mason Grady, who injured an ankle early in the Fiji encounter.
The Cardiff winger brings a formidable amount of physicality to the team, and his absence was noticeable. However, the absence that hits hardest is that of scrum-half Tomos Williams, who is often the spark that ignites the Welsh attack.
The games over the summer were tight, and Wales will take confidence from that and aim to secure a great win in front of the passionate Welsh crowd, promising a thrilling and uncertain contest.
Australia
Australia will be one of the more intriguing teams heading into the autumn. The Wallabies are rebuilding as they prepare for a British and Irish Lions tour and a home World Cup in 2027.
After a disappointing Rugby Championship campaign, where they achieved only a single victory, it was hard to predict how they would perform in the northern hemisphere.
Last week, they secured a massive win against England in a nail-biting encounter.
Their ability to score points is evident, as they have averaged 29 points per game. However, consistency remains an issue, as it is difficult to predict which Wallabies side will turn up.
This inconsistency will motivate them to prove the win against England was no fluke.
Another reason the England game was significant is that it marked the debut of former rugby league player Joseph-Aukuso Sua’ali’i.
Sua’ali’i delivered a massive performance, earning the Player of the Match award. The Wallabies also have more experience available than they did in the summer clash against Wales, with Will Skelton included in the squad.
Australia will aim to deliver a dominant display in Cardiff, creating a tense and competitive atmosphere as they seek to hand Wales their 11th consecutive loss.
The Bets
With an eye towards the odds, the best bet is Australia to win.
Joe Schmidt’s side has played some excellent rugby, and with the quality of their players, they should feel confident heading into the Principality Stadium.
Blair Murray to score a try at any time offers good value; his score against Fiji was only the beginning, as he has been crossing the white line frequently for his club in West Wales.
For those seeking a longshot, Cameron Winnett to make the most Welsh metres is intriguing.
The full-back performed well against Fiji and looked comfortable with the ball in hand, with opportunities likely to arise for counter-attacks against the Wallabies’ defence.
Best Bet: Australia to win – 4/9
Value Bet: Blair Murray to score a try – 5/2
Longshot Bet: Cameron Winnett to make the most Welsh metres – 3/1
