Preview: Wales v Wallabies

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Wallabies Wales

What: Wales v Australia 
When: Sunday, November 9 – 1:30am (AEDT) 
Where: Millennium Stadium. 
I can view it on: Fox Sports.
 
What did they do last time?

Wales led South Africa all the way but suffered a heart-breaking 31-30 loss in their most recent Test match in June.

The Wallabies held off the Barbarians 40-36 to open Michael Cheika's reign as Wallabies coach on a winning note at Twickenham.

Things you need to know

Wales coach Warren Gatland has sprung a few selections surprises for this one. Winger George North will start at outside centre with Jonathan Davies and Scott Williams both sidelined through injury. Liam Williams starts on the left wing for North while Rhys Webb is a surprise selection at scrumhalf ahead of Mike Phillips. Prop Paul James will start ahead of the experienced Gethin Jenkins while Jake Ball has won a start at lock. Wales finished third in the Six Nations behind winners Ireland and second-placed England. They play Fiji, New Zealand and South Africa after facing the Wallabies.

New Wallabies coach Michael Cheika has made two forced changes to the Wallabies side that suffered a 29-28 loss to the All Blacks in Ewen McKenzie's last game in charge. Having made 11 changes to his starting side for last week's tour opener against the Baa Baas, Cheika has given the players that fell just short against the Kiwis three weeks ago another crack. Western Force number eight Ben McCalman and boom Rebels youngster Sea McMahon come into the starting side for Scott Fardy (knee) and Scott Higginbotham (hamstring). McMahon will make his debut after impressing off the bench against the Barbarians, while Force prop Tetera Faulkner is also in line to earn his first Test cap after being named on an extended nine-man bench. The Wallabies face Wales, France, Ireland and England in the final three weeks of their Spring tour.
 
Reason to watch

While the Wallabies have now had a run under Cheika, this week starts the real beginning of the Waratahs and former Leinster coach's tenure. This is the first of just eight Tests Cheika has to get Australia ready for the World Cup starting in September.
 
Reason to turn away

If the Wallabies scrum has an off night.
 
Say what

"It's been a bit hectic … I was only sitting on my couch last week and I wasn't planning on screaming and yelling at guys. One thing that guys aren't going to get in our set-up is being spoon fed. You need men to win things, men have to stand up and take responsibility, be accountable for their actions," - coach Cheika telling it how it is.
 
Final instructions

The Wallabies are riding a nine game winning streak against Wales but there has been very little in all of those encounters. The upheaval the Wallabies have endured in recent weeks and the fact Wales haven't played together in almost five months makes it tough to pick a winner here. Both sides will be up for this one as it is a prelude to their Pool A clash in next year's World Cup. Australia have had a psychological edge over the hosts for several years now and we suspect that will continue this weekend because of the Cheika factor, but it won't be easy. Wallabies by three.
 
Teams

Wales: 15. Leigh Halfpenny, 14. Alex Cuthbert, 13. George North, 12. Jamie Roberts, 11. Liam Williams, 10. Dan Biggar, 9. Rhys Webb, 8. Taulupe Faletau, 7. Sam Warburton (c), 6. Dan Lydiate, 5. Alun Wyn Jones, 4. Jake Ball, 3. Samson Lee, 2. Richard Hibbard, 1. Paul James

Reserves: 16. Scott Baldwin, 17. Gethin Jenkins, 18. Rhodri Jones, 19. Bradley Davies, 20. Justin Tipuric, 21. Mike Phillips, 22. Rhys Priestland, 23. Cory Allen.

Wallabies: 1. James Slipper, 2. Saia Fainga’a, 3. Sekope Kepu, 4. Sam Carter, 5. Rob Simmons, 6. Sean McMahon, 7. Michael Hooper (c), 8. Ben McCalman, 9. Nick Phipps, 10. Bernard Foley, 11. Joe Tomane, 12. Christian Leali’ifano, 13. Tevita Kuridrani, 14. Adam Ashley-Cooper, 15. Israel Folau.

Reserves: James Hanson, Tetera Faulkner, Ben Alexander, James Horwill , Will Skelton, Matt Hodgson, Will Genia, Quade Cooper, Rob Horne (one to be omitted).

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