Australia vs Wales Prediction: Wallabies to kick-on

Joe Schmidt got his new Wallabies job off to a positive start after his sides 25-16 victory against the Welsh in Sydney last week. His next Test is to replicate that result again this weekend in the second Test match of the Series down in Melbourne on Saturday morning (10:45).

Here is our star Rugby Union tipster Alex Cox's Australia vs Wales Prediction and he thinks this Test Match will be a bridge too far for Gatland’s young Welsh side.

The match in Sydney turned into an arm-wrestle as expected last week, with the Aussies coming out on top. Neither side looked particularly comfortable however the Wallabies certainly offered more in attack, whereas the Welsh attack was one-dimensional and reliant on their maul.

With only four training sessions under his belt with his new side, a nine-point victory was certainly a pass mark. Although there are a number of club-combinations across their side, this is a new-look team and will require some more time to build cohesion. However, I saw enough signs to believe we will see a stronger Wallaby performance this week. Lolesio will look to make a stamp on this game more this week and I believe the set-piece of the Welsh will be targeted this week.

Gatland has bled a number of youngsters this summer and in the long-run, that may well come into fruition, however in the short-term, it has left Wales plummeting to a record low world ranking and looking a shadow of their former selves. Their attack on the weekend was lacklustre and we did not see the usual Welsh defensive wall either.

Thanks to penalty infringements, they were able to stay in the contest and turned territory into points via their maul however I am not expecting them to find ascendency in that area again this week. Schmidt knows if their maul defense was to improve this week, they will be able to restrict the Welsh scoring so I am sure they have been working on that all week!

The Welsh were able to keep the score somewhat close last week, however on a faster track in Melbourne, the Wallabies should pull clear of this handicap.

Australia vs Wales Odds

Team News

Australia

Joe Schmidt has been forced to name a new Captain for his second Test match this week, with an injury ruling out last weeks’ skipper Liam Wright. Other than that, it’s the same side that dispatched Wales in Sydney last week. Slipper take the armband and joins, Faessler and Tupou again in the front-row, whilst Williams and Salakaia-Loto are partnered up in the second-row. With Wright injured, Valentini moves onto the flank to make room for exciting youngster Cale. The latter made an impact from the bench last week but will be looking to put his stamp on the game from the first whistle this week in his starting debut.

Gordon and Lolesio continue as the half-back pairing and the midfield Queensland-duo of Paisami and Flook are retained as well. Daugunu scored a try last week and will be hoping for more opportunities again this week, as will Kellaway on the other wing. Tom Wright will be at full-back again and will also be hoping to get over the line after an excellent solo run try last week to thwart Welsh hopes.

Wales

Gatland’s squad depth was tested last week, but it will be pushed even further this week, with a few injuries to deal with. Thomas, Lake and Griffin remain in an un-changed front-row, who were under significant pressure from the Australian scrum and must expect a similar scenario this week in Melbourne. Tshiunza and Jenkins will be the second-row duo again. The biggest welsh loss this week is the injury to Wainwright who was a crucial player in both attack and defense last week. In his absence, Plumtree shuffles to no.8 and Botham comes on the flank to partner with Reffell.

Bevan continues at scrum-half, and it will be Ben Thomas outside of him again, with Costelow on the bench. Grady and Watkins really struggled last week and they’ll be hoping to offer more in the midfield this week. Dyer retains his spot on the wing but an elbow injury has ruled out youngster Hathaway, meaning Liam Williams moves onto the wing to allow Winnett to return to the squad and slide in at full-back.

Australia -9 Handicap @ 1/1

Wales are looking ahead to the future and I think they will be punished in Melbourne. The Wallabies will be stronger this week with an additional week of training together and I believe that will be the differentiator in this contest. The loss of Wainwright is also a big factor as he such an important figure in the Welsh system and will mean the Australian back-row should win the battle of the gain-line.

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