This coming Saturday will once again see first-class international rugby return to the Welsh capital. Wales take on South Africa in the first of their four matches in this yearÔÇÖs Dove Men Series, the first meeting of the sides since Wales lost 17-16 in their opening World Cup game in 2011. The Springboks played some brilliant rugby in this summerÔÇÖs Rugby Championship but, ultimately, came unstuck against an imperious All Blacks team.
Some journalists have dubbed Warren GatlandÔÇÖs tactics ‘Warrenball’ ÔÇô describing the supposed over-emphasis on physicality rather than creativity and skill. It may have been successful for Wales and the Lions recently, but this huge South Africa team will take some moving. They may have lost prop Jannie du Plessis to injury, but a surprising call-up for Bakkies Botha will mean that they lose no ferocity up front.
The following week sees Wales take on Argentina, looking to avenge last yearÔÇÖs defeat when the South Americans won 26-12. Many consider the Argentines to have infiltrated the dominant rugby world order in recent years, but they will still be hoping to find some much needed consistency. The Pumas were comfortably beaten by a Lion-less England in the summer and failed to win a game in the Rugby Championship.
The one Friday night game sees Wales face Tonga on November 22nd. The Pacific island may only have one-thirtieth of WalesÔÇÖ population, but they are currently ranked 11th in the world, one place above Italy and are likely to provide a stiff challenge for the RBS Six Nations champions. Wales must be wary after last yearÔÇÖs humbling defeat by fellow Pacific Islanders Samoa. This match also provides students with the ideal opportunity to get to a game at the Millennium Stadium with tickets priced at ┬ú25.
The final game will see the visit of Australia, who will be looking to avenge the series defeat inflicted on them by the Lions. However, Wales have failed to beat the Qantas Wallabies in their previous eight outings, a run dating back to 2008.
Brumbies back-rower Ben Mowen, who only made his debut in the Lions series, has been handed the captaincy in a move that many will consider emblematic of the instability in Australian rugby in recent times. David Pocock will miss the AussiesÔÇÖ European tour to afford his knee further recovery time following reconstructive surgery.
Following the Lions Tour, emphasis is firmly back on preparation for next yearÔÇÖs Six Nations and, even further down the line, the 2015 Rugby World Cup. Gatland, ordinarily a shrewd operator, has already started engaging in mind games by declaring that he only chose EnglandÔÇÖs Andy Farrell as Lions skills coach so that he could scrutinise his tactics, a comment seen as unprofessional by many.
Cory Allen becomes the latest Blues player to be included in the Welsh squad, joining summer debutants Rhys Patchell and Owen Williams to make up a trio of Cardiff youngsters. Scott Andrews, Gethin Jenkins, Bradley Davies and Lloyd Williams are also included in the 35-man squad alongside Lions heroes Leigh Halfpenny and captain Sam Warburton.
WalesÔÇÖ 35-man squad:
Forwards:
S Andrews, A Jones, A Jarvis, P James, G Jenkins, R Bevington, R Hibbard, K Owens, E Phillips, AW Jones, L Charteris, I Evans, B Davies, A Coombs, R Jones, J Tipuric, S Warburton (c), T Faletau, D Lydiate
Backs: R Williams, M Phillips, Lloyd Williams, D Biggar, R Patchell, R Priestland, J Davies, A Beck, S Williams, C Allen, O Williams, J Hook, G North, E Walker, L Halfpenny, Liam Williams
Rhys Clayton
Twitter: RClaytz
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