Wales host Australia at the Principality Stadium on Saturday in what should be a game decided by the narrowest of margins.
Wales v Australia
20 November
Principality Stadium
19:30
To Win Match
Wales 6/10 | Draw 20/1 | Australia 27/20
Handicap
Wales (-3.5) 9/10 | Australia (+3.5) 9/10
Wales bounced back from their loss to the world champion Springboks with a 38-23 win over Fiji last week. Despite the comfort the scoreline suggests, many consider the Welsh lucky to have come away with the result after the reckless Fijians copped one red and two yellow cards. Indeed, Wales were under the pump more than a few times in the game.
That said, they should be all the better for it heading into this weekend’s clash with the Wallabies. Despite the absence of the great Alun Wyn Jones, there are enough wise old heads in the Dragons’ camp to guide them against the Aussies in what should be a very tightly fought affair.
Australia’s tour to the north hasn’t exactly gone according to plan for the Rugby Championship runners-up. A good win over Japan was followed by successive defeats to Scotland and England, and it’s become imperative for the belief in the camp that Dave Rennie’s squad don’t book out of Europe winless.
The Wallabies can count their lucky stars that dry conditions are expected on Saturday, which should give them some opportunities to throw the ball around. Whether they can match the hosts at the set pieces will be crucial.
Verdict: Australia 27/20
The Australians’ desperation to end their season on a high may just be enough to carry them over the line in Cardiff.
