AUSTRALIA head coach Joe Schmidt feels that Wales will be “incredibly hard to beat” at the Principality Stadium despite their poor record in 2024.
Australia are favourites after their thrilling victory over England last week, while Wales have lost a record-equalling 10 Tests in a row.
But Schmidt expects a brusing encounter against the side that humiliated Australia at the World Cup last year.
“Obviously, this time last year, Wales put 40 points on the Wallabies,” Schmidt said. “They got very close to a number of teams in the Six Nations, losing by one score to England and Scotland, as well as Fiji last week.
“I am expecting them to be incredibly hard to beat. They are dogmatic with the way they go about their defensive work and are very hard to break down.”
Schmidt added: “Last week, no one expected us to win. Suddenly, when expectations shift and you are up against a team that are on a losing run, you are expected to win.
“But it doesn’t mean anything in terms of the players running out and getting the job done. I think everyone feels pressure.”
Schmidt has made six changes from the side that accounted for England, including last weekend’s star player Joseph-Aukuso Sua’ali’i dropping to the bench. Samu Kerevi replaces Sua’ali’i, while prop Allan Alaalatoa starts as captain with Harry Wilson being sidelined due to concussion.
Wilson’s absence from the back row means a first Test start for flanker Seru Uru, with Rob Valetini moving across to No 8, while lock Will Skelton, scrum-half Nic White and wing Max Jorgensen also feature.
On Sua’ali’i, Schmidt added: “We have only got three midfielders with us, and it is about sharing the load between the three guys.
“It was a whirlwind for Joseph for the last two weeks, so for him just to be able to take a breath and watch a bit of the game before entering, it is a great opportunity for us to change it up if required.
“There was that temptation to keep him there to a degree.
“Anybody who plays four consecutive Tests against the ranked countries we are up against, that’s a big challenge for anybody, particularly playing the full 80 minutes.”
