Australia v Wales match preview, coverage & key stats
Overview
Wales are hoping to emulate the success of the British and Irish Lions in Brisbane when they take on Australia in the first of two Tests on Saturday. Sean Lynn's side have travelled down under as part of their preparations for the Rugby World Cup which kicks-off in England in less than a month's time.The hosts, ranked sixth in the world, go in as favourites while Wales are on the hunt for a first win under Lynn after finishing bottom of the 2025 Six Nations.The two sides met twice last September, Wales emerging victorious at Rodney Parade before taking a hammering in South Africa a week later.Lynn said Wales will be far from the finished product as he looks to try out combinations and blood new players.He will come up against a familiar foe in Australia's head coach Jo Yapp, the pair locking horns in the Premiership Women's Rugby when Lynn was in charge of Gloucester-Hartpury and Yapp Worcester Warriors. It will be a friendly reunion, but the rugby will be anything but as both sides have a point to prove.
Team news
The hosts have made six changes after this month's heavy defeat by World Champions New Zealand. Emily Chancellor comes in to captain the side, replacing injured skipper Siokapesi Palu at blindside flanker.On the other flank Ashley Marsters will become the Wallaroos' most capped player when she runs out for her 40th appearance.Lydia Kavoa and Katalina Amosa are called up to the front row, while Annabelle Codey returns at lock in place of Michaela Leonard, who along with Faitala Moleka is rested.Georgina Friedrichs comes in at centre with Charlotte Caslick sidelined for the series with an ankle injury.Caitlyn Halse returns to her starting position of full-back in place of Moleka.Bree-Anna Browne, Ashley Fernandez and Lori Cramer are new faces on the replacements' bench.Wales have also chosen to rest players, including co-captain Kate Williams which means Alex Callender will lead the side for the first time.She slots into an unfamiliar position at number eight, with Georgia Evans moving across to blindside flanker.Nel Metclafe makes a return to the starting XV at full-back, with Catherine Richards given an opportunity on the wing.Kelsey Jones will win her 50th cap at hooker, while Sisilia Tuipulotu is a welcome sight on the bench having missed the Six Nations with a hamstring injury.She is joined by Seren Lockwood, Katherine Baverstock and Tilly Vucaj who are all set to win their first senior caps.
View from the camps
Australia head coach Jo Yapp said: "We're looking forward to playing these final two Test matches on home soil before the World Cup begins."Injuries have forced our hand with a few changes for the series but it also gives opportunities to other players ahead of the World Cup."While disappointing to lose a leader like Siokapesi Palu, we are fortunate to have someone like Emily Chancellor be able to step up in her place and lead the team."Emily is a natural leader and has worked closely throughout this season with Siokapesi."Wales head coach Sean Lynn said: "Saturday is going to be a really good challenge to see where we are at."The girls and the staff have all been working hard over this pre-season and Saturday is going to be a really good test for us. "We're not going to be the finished product, but everything we're doing is about making sure we're making good progress."I'm looking to build for the World Cup and I'm looking at some combinations so I know what combinations are working and there are girls who are putting their hands up."
Match stats
Australia are ranked sixth in World Rugby's rankings while Wales have dropped to tenthSince last September's meeting at WXV2, Wales have only won one out of seven games while Australia have won four from sevenAustralia have won seven out of the last eight meetings with WalesWales beat Australia for the first time in their history at Rodney Parade on 20 September 2024 with a 31-24 victoryA week later they suffered their heaviest defeat to the Wallaroos with a 37-5 hammering in Cape TownWales have almost 40 professional players while Australia has a mix of full-time and part-time players
Line-ups
Australia: Caitlyn Halse; Waiaria Ellis, Georgina Friedrichs, Trilleen Pomare, Desiree Miller; Tia Hinds, Layne Morgan; Lydia Kavoa, Katalina Amosa, Bridie O'Gorman, Kaitlan Leaney, Annabelle Codey, Emily Chancellor (capt), Ashley Marsters, Layne Morgan.Replacements: Tania Naden, Bree-Anna Browne, Asoiva (Eva) Karpani, Ashley Fernandez, Piper Duck, Samantha Wood, Cecilia Smith, Lori Cramer.Wales: Nel Metcalfe, Jasmine Joyce, Hannah Dallavalle, Courtney Keight, Lisa Neumann, Lleucu George, Keira Bevan; Maisie Davies, Kelsey Jones, Donna Rose, Alaw Pyrs, Gwen Crabb, Georgia Evans, Bethan Lewis, Alex Callender (captain).Replacements: Molly Reardon, Katherine Baverstock, Sisilia Tuipulotu, Tilly Vucaj, Bryonie King, Seren Lockwood, Kayleigh Powell, Carys Cox.
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