Wales coach Rob Howley has named his team to face Australia in the first autumn Test on Saturday to mostly widespread approval. With injuries ruling out Taulupe Faletau, Sam Warburton and Liam Williams, plus the unavailability of Alun Wyn Jones due to the death of his father, the reaction among fans has been mostly positive, says Robert Rees.
The overwhelming response to the latest Wales team – on social media, at least – has been that is was one to be expected. There were no major surprises, perhaps, either in the starting XV or on the replacements bench.
Most fans are happy with the squad considering the injuries and personal reasons for not being able to play. It is also encouraging to see some fresh names on the bench in Cory Hill and Sam Davies. Despite two new names among the replacements, though, the match day squad of 23 has a combined tally of 802 caps before this weekend’s tie.
This experience will, hopefully, be invaluable in keeping calm heads during the times when it matters. Wales, infamously, have lost out to Australia in the last 10 or 20 minutes so many times in recent history. It means Wales are now on an 11-match losing streak against the Aussies and they will be very hard pushed to beat them this time around.
Fans also seem pretty happy with Gethin Jenkins as captain in the absence of Sam Warburton and Alun Wyn Jones. There has also been a generally positive reaction to the plans to have Leigh Halfpenny revert to the status of first choice goal-kicker ahead of Dan Biggar.
Which players have caused controversy?
Alex Cuthbert has caused a stir on Twitter – around the question of whether or not he should be in the side ahead of Hallam Amos. Many felt Amos was knocking on the door for the starting jersey on the wing.
Amos had a decent season in the last campaign and has had a great start to this season with the Newport Gwent Dragons in terms of his attacking form. But he has sometimes been a defensive liability, especially against the All Blacks in the summer.
Cuthbert possesses the threat of a strong ball carrier in midfield and for a winger he is surprisingly strong over the ball. Overall, the view among fans is divided between Cuthbert and Amos, although the Cardiff Blues player will be under heavy scrutiny from many after a few lacklustre performances in the Wales jersey in recent times.
Injuries have forced the Welsh pack to be changed, particularly in the back row. Taulupe Faletau and Warburton were both unavailable.
This means that Ross Moriarty goes to No.8 and Dan Lydiate returns in the six shirt. Lydiate has been the one under pressure from fans on-line with many wanting Moriarty at six and Dan Baker in at eight.
With the opposition being as tough as Australia, perhaps starting Baker would have been more of a risk than moving Moriarty there, and then bringing in Lydiate on the flank. Moriarty’s form hasn’t been sky high this year and perhaps he owes his place mainly to the injuries suffered by others.
But there is no doubt he will need to put in a trademark defensive display with the Aussies expected to have a lot of ball with which to run at Wales.