Wales v Australia teams

Wales v Australia teams
Wales have made four changes to the side that lost to the All Blacks last weekend for their match against Australia tomorrow.
All the changes are in the pack with props Gethin Jenkins and Scott Andrews taking over from Bath’s Paul James, who is unavailable as the Wallabies clash falls outside the IRB’s autumn Test window, and Aaron Jarvis, who is out for the rest of the season.
lock Ian Evans and flanker Aaron Shingler come in for Bradley Davies, who is still suffering with concussion after being struck by Andrew Hore in last weekend’s match, and former Wales captain Ryan Jones, who is on the bench.
Liam Williams keeps his place on the wing with George North still struggling with a hip injury while the bench includes uncapped Scarlets prop Samson Lee, who celebrates his 20th birthday on Friday.
Wales, who have lost their last six Tests, will drop out of the top eight teams in the IRB rankings if they fall to the Wallabies on Saturday to be in the third tier of countries for Monday’s 2015 World Cup Draw.
Head coach Warren Gatland said: “We managed to retain 73% possession after the break against the All Blacks and win the territory battle, and we need to put Australia under similar pressure from the outset.
“We have played them regularly over the last couple of years and have come close to winning on a number of occasions, but have not quite been able to get ourselves over the chalk of the finish line. Both sides have had injuries to cope with, but there is every reason for optimism.”
Meanwhile, Australia’s David Pocock will make his long-awaited return to international action against Wales on Saturday after recovering from injuries that kept him out of action since August.
Pocock’s return sees the in-form Michael Hooper drop to the bench but lock Nathan Sharpe will retain the captaincy for what will be his 116th and final Test.
The change at openside is one of three alterations to the side that beat Italy in Florence last weekend as lock Kane Douglas return from a knee injury to take over from the suspended Sitaleki Timani with Tatafu Polota-Nau reclaiming his place at hooker.
Head coach Robbie Deans said: “You don’t win two Grand Slams in the last four years while also making the semi-finals of the Rugby World Cup without being a quality outfit, and a resilient one.
“If we were in their situation, I know the response I would be expecting. Cornered beasts are always the most dangerous; they have nowhere else to go but straight ahead!
“I’ve no doubt that Warren and his men will feel that way at the moment. They did some good things last weekend against New Zealand, and weren’t always rewarded for them. Our recent history [against Wales] shows how little there is between the two sides. Our blokes won’t need reminding of that.”
Wales: Halfpenny; Cuthbert, Davies, Roberts, L. Williams; Priestland, Phillips; Jenkins, Rees, Andrews; Evans, Charteris; Shingler, Warburton (capt.), Faletau.
Replacements: Owens, Bevington, Lee, Jones, Tipuric, Knoyle, Biggar, S. Williams.
Australia: Barnes; Cummins, Ashley-Cooper, Tapuai, Mitchell; Beale, Phipps; Robinson, Polota-Nau, Alexander; Douglas, Sharpe (capt.); Higginbotham, Pocock, Palu.
Replacements: Moore, Slipper, Kepu, Dennis, Hooper, McKibbin, Harris, Ioane.