A magnificent Rugby World Cup sadly comes a step closer to
ending as Wales take on Australia in the much maligned third place play – off
on Friday morning. Both sides have
expressed interest in the game – something we both know isn’t strictly true
–but the Welsh may come into this in better shape than many expect.
Australia’s campaign has been hit hard by injury, having missed
the returning Kurtley Beale badly at full back against New Zealand, while Wycliff
Palu and Drew Mitchell sustained tournament-ending injuries in the Pool Stages,
amongst a plethora of other players to pick up serious knocks.
The Wallabies’ injuries have cleared up a bit more but they’ve
had their fallible moments at this World Cup – A pool defeat to Ireland sticks
in the mind, they shouldn’t have beaten South Africa, and while New Zealand
were brilliant in all areas against the Wallabies, they weren’t at their Tri –
Nations winning level and they face a tough test, even taking into account that
neither side will really want to be turning up for this match.
While David Pocock has been simply sensational all
tournament, ending South Africa’s hopes single handedly before being the only
player to offer a massive amount of resistance against New Zealand, Quade Cooper
has been the largest let down.
The Super 15 winning fly half, so impressive when defeating
the Crusaders in the Super 15 final, has been poor all tournament, gaining a
reputation as a bit of a flat track bully. New Zealand got to him at Eden Park
in the semi – final and without protection from the superior tight 5, he was
taken out of the game completely.
Wales have been one of the standout teams so far this
tournament, having improved ever since their opening game against South Africa,
when they were tragically unlucky not to win, the Welsh defence and fitness has
drawn adulation from all levels, especially when they blew away an Irish side
tipped for the final by many seasoned observers after their win over Australia.
They should have won their semi – final too – Sam Warbuton’s
red card a controversial red card for captain Sam Warburton and an injury to
prop Adam Jones derailed their charge, but they still had good kickable chances
– and it’s probably a measure of how well they’ve done at this World Cup that New
Zealand fans are happier with France than Wales in the final despite their
record of World Cup upsets against the hosts.
Gatland has made a point of Wales going home from New Zealand as one of the top three teams
in the world after naming a strong side - prop Gethin Jenkins has been made captain
in the absence of his Cardiff Blues team-mate Sam Warburton, with Faleatau
making his 7th start of the tournament at openside flanker.
Their pack will suffer for the loss of Alyn Wyn Jones, but
Wales look value to send home Australia in fourth place. Southern Hemisphere
teams hold no fear for them following a strong tournament showing and the
Wallabies have looked fallible at times this year, so a win by 1-12 points at
9/4 seems good value.
Advice
2 pts Wales to win by 1-12 points (9/4 Ladbrokes)
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