Preview of Wales' 2009 Autumn Internationals
How will the Welsh Rugby Team fare in the Upcoming Test Matches?
Sep 30, 2009
A number of Welsh players shone on the British and Irish Lions tour to South Africa, with young centre Jamie Roberts being named as man of the tour. However, Wales have suffered for this, with injuries to key players.
Both first choice props, Gethin Jenkins and Adam Jones are out after being injured in the second test against the Springboks. Osprey Duncan Jones, himself newly returned from long term injury, is a good replacement for Jenkins at loosehead, although he lacks the dynamism and pace of Jenkins, but Wales lack a strong tighthead prop replacement for Adam Jones.
Similarly, the shoulder injury suffered by open side flanker Martyn Williams will have coach Warren Gatland tearing his hair out. Williams is the heart of the Welsh side and there simply is no like for like replacement for him in the Principality.
Gatland must also be concerned at the form of their two top sides, the Ospreys and the Cardiff Blues. Although both sides have only recently started playing their Lions as part of the agreed post-tour rest period both sides have been dire in their opening Magners League matches.
The Blues lost their first three matches and despite a narrow win over the Scarlets, lie near to the foot of the league, while the Ospreys, prior to their 2nd half comeback against Glasgow have lost both their opening home games and have been booed off the field by their fans, who expect far more from the, ‘Galacticos’ of Welsh rugby.
The Ospreys and Wales have also been hit by the absence on, ‘indefinite leave’ of Gavin Henson. Henson, who missed the Lions tour due to an ankle injury, has been the subject of persistent rumours that he is so disillusioned with his on-going fitness problems that he is considering retiring from the game.
Wales have had difficulties off the field too, with the regions clashing with the WRU over player release with the threat of a case being heard in the High Court and the possible cancellation of the high profile fixture against the All Blacks.
This was averted earlier this month with the signing of a participation agreement which codifies the availability for players for internationals and training sessions, and also of targets for Welsh qualified players within the regions’ match day squads.
2009 Autumn Internationals Wales v New Zealand
Wales will attempt to break their 56 year hoodoo against the All Blacks. The last time Wales downed New Zealand’s colours was in 1953, and given a fully fit side and the Kiwi’s below par performance in the Tri Nations, they would have fancied their chances this time.
New Zealand will be smarting at their performance in the Tri Nations, particularly in allowing South Africa to beat them three times on the trot since the 1970’s. Graham Henry and his team will be under pressure at home, so whereas he often bloods younger players on these tours, he may be tempted to make a point of ensuring the win.
Key injuries and the fact that the All Blacks are up first will make the job very difficult for Gatland’s men.
2009 Autumn Internationals Wales v Samoa
The Autumn Friday night match has become a tradition in Wales, with cheaper and more available tickets giving younger fans a chance to see their heroes.
Unfortunately, the team, usually showing wholesale changes from the one who play the Southern Hemisphere super powers, has often had trouble gelling and even though Wales has never lost one of these games, there have been some heart stopping moments.
Samoa have traditionally been a bogey team for Wales, having beaten them in two rugby world cups, but their best days are gone and their fixture list this year has included Fiji, Japan and Papua New Guinea, with it being a year since they played one of the major sides. This is not conducive to them springing the sort of surprise they were famous for.
Wales to win comfortably but to be nursing bruises from the fearsome South Sea Islander tackling
2009 Autumn Internationals Wales v Argentina
Argentina are in transition after their superb performance in finishing third in the 2007 Rugby World Cup. Coach Loffredo has left and several of their main stars have retired from international rugby. They also suffer from a lack of international competition, a situation which will hopefully be remedied now that it has been announced that they will join the Tri Nations tournament in 2012.
Argentina can never be underestimated though. A largely second string Pumas team beat England in Buenos Aires in the summer and with a large proportion of their players located at big clubs in Europe, they still have the firepower to trouble anyone.
The key to the match will be whether the weakened Welsh pack can front up to the Argentines. If they can, the Welsh backs should be able to score the points to edge the game.
2009 Autumn Internationals Wales v Australia
The weakest of the three Tri Nations teams, they still managed to beat champions South Africa in one game this summer. Traditionally weak in the scrummage, Wales should be able to get enough ball to cause the Australians a problem.
The Australians also have serious firepower behind the scrum and scored 10 tries in the Tri Nations, equaling the Springboks the runaway winners. The Wallabies backs, including the likes Matt Giteau, Stirling Mortlock and Adam Ashley-Cooper will make this an entertaining match.
Jamie Roberts will be looking for a better outcome from this game. Last Autumn, he collided with Australian captain Mortlock and suffered a fractured skull. Despite this, he played on for 10 minutes, almost scoring before being forced to leave the pitch.
This could be the most entertaining game of the Autumn. Wales to win, albeit narrowly in a high scoring game.
Tickets for Wales' Autumn InternationalsSome tickets remain for the Autumn Internationals, but they are selling out fast.
