Share

Anscombe at 10 for Wales against Australia

Cardiff - In-form Gareth Anscombe has retained the Wales flyhalf spot ahead of Dan Biggar for Saturday's Test match against Australia.

Wales coach Warren Gatland opted Thursday not to draft in Biggar after the New Zealand-born Anscombe, who can also play full-back, impressed in last week's 21-10 victory over Scotland when the Northampton player was unavailable as the match fell outside of World Rugby's Test window.

Gatland made three changes to the starting XV to face the Wallabies, who lost four of their six Rugby Championship matches over the summer, finishing third in the four-team competition.

Prop Tomas Francis, lock Adam Beard and winger Josh Adams all start, with Biggar joined on a strong bench by fellow British and Irish Lion Liam Williams and summer tour co-captains Cory Hill and Ellis Jenkins.

"We were pleased to get a good opening win under our belts last weekend and this Saturday is all about building on that," said Gatland.

The Welsh side will be bidding to extend their winning streak to seven matches when they run out at the Principality Stadium, but their opponents are a true bogey side.

Wales have lost their last 13 Tests against Australia, group opponents in next year's World Cup in Japan, in a run stretching back to 2008.

"With selection we wanted some continuity and to be consistent but also mindful there are a number of players who did really well for us in the summer and they need to be rewarded and have their opportunity," Gatland continued.

"Adam (Beard) impressed in the summer as did Josh (Adams) and they deserve the chance to start.

"There is a really good balance to the team, a lot of competition which is exactly what we wanted.

"The bench is packed with quality and experience and it will be great to see them have an impact on Saturday."

Wallabies coach Michael Cheika made four changes to his starting side for their opening November international that also sees them play Italy and England.

Adam Coleman will start at lock after missing the third Bledisloe Cup clash because of a groin strain while Jack Dempsey and Samu Kerevi make their long-awaited returns to the starting side after playing off the bench against New Zealand.

Kerevi's start at outside centre has forced a reshuffle to the Wallabies backline with Israel Folau returning to the right wing while Sefa Naivalu has been preferred to Marika Koroibete on the left edge.

Hooker Tolu Latu will make just his second Test start on Saturday, almost two years on from his first against France back in November 2016.

Teams:

Wales

15 Leigh Halfpenny, 14 George North, 13 Jonathan Davies, 12 Hadleigh Parkes, 11 Josh Adams, 10 Gareth Anscombe, 9 Gareth Davies, 8 Ross Moriarty, 7 Justin Tipuric, 6 Dan Lydiate, 5 Alun Wyn Jones (captain), 4 Adam Beard, 3 Tomas Francis, 2 Ken Owens, 1 Nicky Smith

Substitutes: 16 Elliot Dee, 17 Rob Evans, 18 Dillon Lewis, 19 Cory Hill, 20 Ellis Jenkins, 21 Tomos Williams, 22 Dan Biggar, 23 Liam Williams

Australia:

15 Dane Haylett-Petty, 14 Israel Folau, 13 Samu Kerevi, 12 Kurtley Beale, 11 Sefa Naivalu, 10 Bernard Foley, 9 Will Genia, 8 David Pocock, 7 Michael Hooper (captain), 6 Jack Dempsey, 5 Adam Coleman, 4 Izack Rodda, 3 Allan Alaalatoa, 2 Tolu Latu, 1 Scott Sio

Substitutes: 16 Tatafu Polota-Nau, 17 Sekope Kepu, 18 Taniela Tupou, 19 Rob Simmons, 20 Ned Hanigan, 21 Nick Phipps, 22 Matt To'omua, 23 Jack Maddocks

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
loading... Live
North West 0
Warriors RSA 132/6
loading... Live
Titans RSA 0
Lions 128/6
loading... Live
Western Province 162/4
Boland 0
Voting Booth
How much would you be prepared to pay for a ticket to watch the Springboks play against the All Blacks at Ellis Park or Cape Town Stadium this year?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
R0 - R200
33% - 1817 votes
R200 - R500
32% - 1777 votes
R500 - R800
19% - 1084 votes
R800 - R1500
8% - 461 votes
R1500 - R2500
3% - 187 votes
I'd pay anything! It's the Boks v All Blacks!
5% - 254 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE