Alun Wyn Jones admits Adam Beard hardly looks old enough to grow facial hair worthy of his name, but has backed him to help Wales shave off their long, unwanted losing streak against Australia.
Beard will partner the Wales captain in the second row, a selection that even the young Ospreys player this week admitted raised his own eyebrows as well those of plenty of others.
But Jones spotted beard’s talent as a fresh-faced teenager and now his teammate is a fresh-faced 22-year-old he thinks he’s ready to beat the Wallabies for a first Welsh win in 14 attempts.
The Wales captain noticed Beard’s talent four years ago whilst he was playing for Neath Port Talbot College, before the pair joined forces in the Ospreys’ engine room. Beard graduated from the Wales Under-20s and has impressed in senior Tests against Samoa, Argentina, Scotland and Georgia.
Now, he faces the biggest test of his career when he packs down with Jones against Australia. And his captain believes he will prove himself as Wales bid to end a 10-year wait for a win over the Wallabies.
“I’ve been an Osprey for quite a while now and I saw Adam come through Neath Port Talbot College, he said.
“We heard about a big guy in the college who was bigger than most of the guys in the Ospreys squad at the time. He’s fulfilling his potential now. It’s another step up starting at home, but I wish him well and I’ll be there to support him during the game. He’s doing fine off his own back.
“Strength in depth is a beautiful thing and it’s what every team is searching for. I wasn’t involved in the summer and those guys are chomping at the bit for another opportunity.
“A lot of our guys have had a lot of success at club level. It’s a cliché, but age is just a number. The younger players are performing week in, week out for their clubs. It is a step up at international level, but there are a lot of our guys with a lot of confidence and you can’t train confidence. You have to pull the string and let them go.”
Jones is the only surviving member of the Wales team who earned that famous 21-18 victory over Australia back in 2008. But he is determined to make up for lost time as the teams go head-head-towhead for the final time before they clash at the Rugby World Cup.
“I haven’t beaten them enough in the red of Wales,” added Jones. “I’ve had a bit of success with the Lions, but you know Australia are always going to attack from anywhere. With the players they have, they can spark up a moment of individual brilliance and they marry that with a decent pack. They always come and pose a threat and it will be no difficult this weekend. I’ve been fortunate to beat them a couple of times and hopefully we can replicate that.
“It’s key to shut down their momentum. If they get an early score, then you need to chase the game. Especially against a team like Australia who have that counterattacking ability, you just don’t want to get in a hole against them early on. In international rugby you can’t get that back so we need to be switched on and start well.”
Josh Adams was Wales’ other surprise selection. He was watching Wales take on Australia from the Principality Stadium stands the last time the Wallabies came to Cardiff
The Worcester Warriors wing has been handed an opportunity to continue his scintillating summer form after he proved his international credentials during the series triumph over Argentina.
“I watched every Wales game if I got the chance,” said Adams “I was at the stadium last year, watching Wales-Australia. I don’t think Folau was playing then actually but it’s a bit surreal 12 months ago watching it as a spectator and now I’m getting an opportunity as a player. I’m looking forward to it.
“It’s been very close so often and I just think it’s small margins, maybe not concentrating for the full 80 minutes, maybe a slip in concentration in the last five minutes, leading to a penalty they kick to the corner or whatever the situation may be. So it’s a big emphasis on a big 80-minute performance this weekend.
“We’ve had six wins on the bounce and a hit-out in the autumn already. Obviously we’ve got to respect Australia – it’s going to be a tough match without a doubt, and I’m sure they’re expecting the same. But hopefully it’s going to be a great game for everybody.”
Adams has been thrust into the starting XV after he registered his first international try in the series clinching win over Argentina. He is joined by Beard and tighthead prop Tomas Francis, who come in for Cory Hill and Dillon Lewis.
Gareth Anscombe continues at outside-half after his impressive performance against Scotland last week, while Liam Williams, Dan Biggar and Ellis Jenkins come back onto the bench to face an Australia side who have only won two of their last nine Test matches. Despite their inconsistent form, Australia coach Michael Cheika has some serious talent at his disposal, including Wales tormentor Israel Folau, who will battle-it-out with Adams down the left wing.
“I’m nowhere near the size of George North so I don’t think I’ll be carrying Israel Folau on my back this weekend,” joked Adams. “He’s a top quality player. I know his threats, we know his threats.
“He’s proven time and time again at international level how good he is. It will be a test for me but it’s something I’m looking forward to. It’s a good opportunity for me to see where I’m at, playing against probably one of the world’s best wingers. It’s something I’m looking forward to.”
Today’s clash is the final dress-rehearsal for the teams before they lock horns at next year’s rugby world cup. And Adams is hoping he can grasp every opportunity that comes his way to seal his place in Japan.
“There’s great competition across the board in most positions,” he added “We’re blessed with back rowers, we’ve built some depth in the back three and the centres are looking strong. There’s really stiff competition in those positions and for me every opportunity is a chance to stick your hand up, without a doubt, and I’m looking to do that on Saturday with a good performance.”
Wales: Leigh Halfpenny; George North, Jonathan Davies, Hadleigh Parkes, Josh Adams; Gareth Anscombe, Gareth Davies; Nicky Smith, Ken Owens, Tomas Francis, Adam Beard, Alun Wyn Jones, Dan Lydiate, Justin Tipuric, Ross Moriarty
Replacements: Elliot Dee, Rob Evans, Dillon Lewis, Cory Hill, Ellis Jenkins, Tomos Williams, Dan Biggar, Liam Williams
Australia: Dane Haylett-Petty; Israel Folau, Samu Kerevi, Kurtley Beale, Sefa Naivalu; Bernard Foley, Will Genia; Scott Sio, Tolu Latu, Allan Alaalatoa, Izack Rodda, Adam Coleman, Jack Dempsey, Michael Hooper (capt), David Pocock
Replacements: Tatafu Polota-Nau, Sekope Kepu, Taniela Tupou, Rob Simmons, Ned Hanigan, Nick Phipps, Matt To’omua, Jack Maddocks.
Referee: Ben O’Keeffe (New Zealand)
Assistant referees: Romain Poite (France), Brendon Pickerill (New Zealand)
TMO: Simon McDowell (Ireland)