Topics of conversation as Wales attempts to end quest for success in Australia

Wales begin their tour of Australia on Saturday when they face the Wallabies in Sydney.

Warren Gatland’s side face two Test matches before taking on the Queensland Reds as they look to rediscover the winning formula that has failed them since the 2023 World Cup.

The PA news agency takes a look at the key talking points ahead of the match.

Wales has gone down

It’s been 55 years since Wales beat the Wallabies on Australian soil. That 19-16 victory at the Sydney Cricket Ground in 1969 was secured by a Wales team featuring the likes of JPR Williams, John Dawes, Barry John and Gareth Edwards, but in the 11 meetings that followed it has been a one-way street. Wales have lost big, including significant defeats such as 63-6 (1991), 42-3 (1996) and 31-0 (2007), although the last time they visited in 2012 they lost by a combined margin of just three points in the second and third Tests. Both nations are in rebuilding mode in the early stages of the four-year World Cup cycle, but history shows how difficult the task facing Wales is.

Gatland welcomes reinforcements

Wales’ first summer international ended in a 41-13 defeat to South Africa at Twickenham, but that match falling outside the World Rugby schedule meant that England players Nick Tompkins, Josh Hathaway, Dillon Lewis, Archie Griffin, Dafydd Jenkins, Christ Tshiunza and Tommy Reffell were not available for selection. Gatland could now call on their services again as Wales target their first Test win in nine months. Jenkins and Reffell, in particular, are pillars of the head coach’s pack and will have a huge role to play in Sydney, while it will be fascinating to see how untainted Gloucester running back Josh Hathaway performs at the highest level.

Life After Eddie Jones

Australia slumped to their lowest ebb at the 2023 World Cup in France, exiting the group stage for the first time, before head coach Eddie Jones’ reign ended just 10 months into a five-year contract. The former England coach won just two of his nine matches, with Wales among those to add to the misery by winning the World Cup 40-6 in Lyon. Australian rugby chiefs then turned to former Ireland coach Joe Schmidt, who masterminded three Six Nations triumphs and victories over New Zealand during a successful spell at the helm, and is now set for his first match as Wallabies head coach amid considerable expectation he can turn things around.

Ben Thomas moves to number 10

It’s safe to say Wales’ No.10 shirt is up for grabs. With Gatland returning for a second stint as Wales head coach ahead of the 2023 Six Nations, Cardiff prospect Thomas will become his sixth different playmaker. Dan Biggar has already retired from Test rugby, while the experienced Gareth Anscombe suffered another injury setback at the World Cup. Owen Williams, Sam Costelow and Ioan Lloyd have also had chances to varying degrees, and now the spotlight is on Thomas, a regular at centre for Cardiff. He returns to Test rugby three years after his last appearance for Wales, and the stage is his to make a statement.

Aaron Wainwright reaches half-century

On Saturday, Aaron Wainwright made his 5⃣0⃣ appearance for the national team.

کیکیکیکیکیکیکی#Back to the past for him on debut in 2018 photo: twitter.com/qbn772bmb0

— Welsh Rugby Union DZIENNIK DZIENNIK (@WelshRugbyUnion) July 4, 2024

Number eight Wainwright will become the latest member of Wales’ 50-cap club when he runs out in Sydney on Saturday, and there is no doubting the value he brings to Gatland’s team. Consistency is his trademark, and he has effortlessly filled the role that Taulupe Faletau has made his own over many seasons, appearing in two-thirds of the Tests Wales have played since making his debut against Argentina in San Juan six years ago. Wainwright’s experience and reliability will be crucial if Wales are to make an impact Down Under, and his work alongside back-row colleagues Reffell and Taine Plumtree will be a vital cog in that machine.