This Wales Side Have Got Cheika Worried
The Rugby Paper|September 29, 2019
I LIKE where Wales are at going into this morning’s game with Australia – not just for facing the Wallabies but for the rest of the Pool stages too.
This Wales Side Have Got Cheika Worried

My view is that they have got inside Michael Cheika’s head. Australia have picked a team to counteract Wales’ strengths and I’m not sure that has ever happened before.

The challenge now is to capitalise on that. Whenever the southern hemisphere giants have played Wales in the past they would not have worried too much about them.

New Zealand, Australia and South Africa would have paid them respect of course, but deep down they would also be thinking that if they play to their best, they will win regardless of what opposition turns up.

Now things are different. This is a different Wales side. We all know how good they are. For this morning’s game I was surprised to see Australia change their half-backs. Nic White and Christian Lealiifano had been starting, but now Will Genia and Bernard Foley are back in.

Kurtley Beale has also been moved to the bench with Dane Haylett-Petty at full-back. I know Cheika had to make at least one change due to Reece Hodge’s suspension, but to me the Australian selection clearly shows they have picked a side to counteract Dan Biggar’s kicking game. HaylettPetty is there for that exact reason as he is a solid defensive operator.

This is unchartered territory for Wales and I’m intrigued to see how they react. Wales need to keep the Wallabies guessing.

What Cheika’s men will be expecting is for Dan to boot a lot of possession away and for Wales to play the percentages early on. It would surprise them if Wales play with tempo and try a running game. If they do that, they could get some very early rewards as they did against Georgia.

Australia are, of course, a much tougher team to break down than Georgia, but the element of surprise is the key here. Clearly you don’t want to get involved in an end-to-end game of Sevens with any southern hemisphere side, but Wales need to be bold and brave on the biggest of stages.

Esta historia es de la edición September 29, 2019 de The Rugby Paper.

Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.

Esta historia es de la edición September 29, 2019 de The Rugby Paper.

Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.

MÁS HISTORIAS DE THE RUGBY PAPERVer todo
England can find a little bit of cheer
The Rugby Paper

England can find a little bit of cheer

SO HERE we are on the final day of England’s autumn international series with all of us hoping and expecting Steve Borthwick’s team to win today after three weeks of bitter disappointment.

time-read
3 minutos  |
November 24, 2024
Stop messing with Marcus - Campese
The Rugby Paper

Stop messing with Marcus - Campese

DAVID Campese believes England are going backwards under Steve Borthwick, who is ‘messing around’ with talisman Marcus Smith.

time-read
2 minutos  |
November 24, 2024
Being a Lion was the highlight of my career
The Rugby Paper

Being a Lion was the highlight of my career

I PLAYED 19 games and scored 219 points for the Lions, on the tours to South Africa in 1968 and New Zealand in 1971, but I never played in a Test and that was fair enough.

time-read
6 minutos  |
November 24, 2024
Cook's crew not fazed as they eye tilt at top half
The Rugby Paper

Cook's crew not fazed as they eye tilt at top half

THERE appear to be few signs of second season syndrome at Westcombe Park as captain Nick Cook reveals the group aren’t even contemplating the threat of relegation and are instead targeting a top-half finish.

time-read
2 minutos  |
November 24, 2024
Forwards pack a punch for the Reds
The Rugby Paper

Forwards pack a punch for the Reds

OLD Redcliffians produced a proud defensive effort to take a bonus-point win.

time-read
2 minutos  |
November 24, 2024
Tom 'Ailes' the achievements of inspirational skipper Riley
The Rugby Paper

Tom 'Ailes' the achievements of inspirational skipper Riley

SEDGLEY Park No. 8 Tom Ailes says his team relish the competitive nature of National One and is confident the Tigers can rectify their rocky start to the season in weeks to come.

time-read
2 minutos  |
November 24, 2024
Strachan confident Ampthill will be firing again soon
The Rugby Paper

Strachan confident Ampthill will be firing again soon

FRASER Strachan is determined to put Ampthill’s leaky defensive showings behind them and gain some much needed confidence in the run up to Christmas.

time-read
3 minutos  |
November 24, 2024
It's a whole new ball game for Rigg
The Rugby Paper

It's a whole new ball game for Rigg

WILL Rigg’s ambition was to become a professional cricketer but it is the oval ball rather than The Oval that is his driver now.

time-read
2 minutos  |
November 24, 2024
Scarratt leads the way for Lightning
The Rugby Paper

Scarratt leads the way for Lightning

LOUGHBOROUGH won a wet and windy East Midlands Derby after having the bonus point in the bag by half-time.

time-read
1 min  |
November 24, 2024
Becconsall: We need to release pressure
The Rugby Paper

Becconsall: We need to release pressure

WILL Becconsall says Exeter are not spooked by the threat of relegation as they look to turn around their Premiership campaign after starting with six straight defeats.

time-read
2 minutos  |
November 24, 2024