“The rationale for selection was to minimise the changes this week and build on the performance against South Africa,” he said. “We started poorly in this series, were disappointed with our showing against New Zealand and have taken full responsibility for that. In the two games since we feel we have made progress and we now need to move forward again in order to get the result we want and finish the series on a high.
“Both sides have been affected by injuries and had to adapt to different personnel, but the Wallabies will start as favourites after an impressive win over Ireland and by virtue of their superior IRB World ranking.
“We haven’t beaten them for 18 years and have not won at home against an Australian side since 1981, but this is the final throw of the dice for us before we arrive at the Six Nations and the defence of our Grand Slam crown so we are looking for a positive result.
“Both sides play exciting rugby, Australia are dangerous from any distance and it should be a fast open game.
“The one area in which we have been advised to take them on is the scrum, but after looking at them on the video they look to be much improved in that area –Â to the extent that they were quite exceptional against Ireland last week.”
Gareth Thomas will make his sixth appearance against the Wallabies – just one behind Ieuan Evans, the most capped Welshman against Australia – whilst Dafydd James faces the side he made his international debut against for the fourth time. Ruddock’s stated intention has been to maintain consistency in selection this week and the one change to personnel in the side was made after some debate.
“After the selection meeting, and a long consultation with Scott Johnson our backs coach in particular, we decided to sacrifice the left booted kicking option offered by Lee (Byrne) in favour of playing Alfie in his preferred position and giving Matthew Watkins his chance at centre,” added Ruddock. “We felt we needed as much experience as possible in the back line and have opted for Matthew and Sonny Parker as the centre pairing.
“The other option was to bring in Ceri Sweeney, but the thinking there is that Ceri has been able to make such a positive impact from the bench that we want to try to keep that weapon in our armoury.
“Ceri has emerged into the super-sub role, akin to the one Tom Shanklin filled during the early part of our Six Nations campaign, and it is one he is very much suited to for the time being. We also wanted to get a good look at Matthew from the start of a high level international ahead of the coming Six Nations Championship defence.”
WALES:
15Â Gareth Thomas (C)
14Â Dafydd James
13Â Matthew Watkins
12Â Sonny Parker
11Â Shane Williams
10 Stephen Jones
09Â Gareth Cooper
01 Duncan Jones
02Â Rhys Thomas
03Â Chris Horsman
04Â Ian Gough
05Â Robert Sidoli Â
06Â Colin Charvis
07Â Martyn Williams
08Â Michael Owen (VC)
Replacements
16Â Mefin Davies
17Â Adam Jones
18 Ian Evans
19Â Jonathan Thomas
20Â Michael Phillips
21 Ceri Sweeney
22Â Lee Byrne
