Australia head coach Joe Schmidt feels that Wales will be “incredibly hard to beat” in Sunday’s autumn Test encounter at the Principality Stadium.
The odds favour a Wallabies win following their thrilling victory over England last time out, while Wales have lost a record-equalling 10 Tests in a row.
“Obviously, this time last year, Wales put 40 points on the Wallabies (in the World Cup),” Schmidt said.
“They got very close to a number of teams in the Six Nations, losing by one score to England and Scotland, as well as Fiji last week.
“I am expecting them to be incredibly hard to beat. They are dogmatic with the way they go about their defensive work and are very hard to break down.”
Asked about Wales being under pressure, Schmidt added: “You live in this bubble, really. I am too busy worrying about our team.
“It’s funny, I feel under more pressure than I was last week.
“Last week, no-one expected us to win. Suddenly, when expectations shift and you are up against a team that are on a losing run, you are expected to win.
“But it doesn’t actually mean anything in terms of the players running out and getting the job done. I think everyone feels pressure.”
Schmidt has made six changes from the side that accounted for England, including exciting midfield prospect Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii moving out of the starting XV and joining Schmidt’s replacements.
Samu Kerevi replaces Suaalii, while prop Allan Alaalatoa starts as captain with Harry Wilson being sidelined due to concussion.
Wilson’s absence from the back-row means a first Test start for flanker Seru Uru, with Rob Valetini moving across to number eight, while lock Will Skelton, scrum-half Nic White and wing Max Jorgensen also feature.
On Suaalii, Schmidt added: “We have only got three midfielders with us, and it is about sharing the load between the three guys.
“It was a whirlwind for Joseph for the last two weeks, so for him just to be able to take a breath and watch a bit of the game before entering, it is a great opportunity for us to change it up if required.
“There was that temptation to keep him there to a degree.
“Anybody who plays four consecutive Tests against the ranked countries we are up against, that’s a big challenge for anybody, particularly playing the full 80 minutes.”
— Wallabies (@wallabies) November 15, 2024
Australia team to play Wales
Forwards: 1 Angus Bell, 2 Matt Faessler, 3 Allan Alaalatoa (Captain), 4 Nick Frost, 5 Will Skelton, 6 Seru Uru, 7 Fraser McReight
Backs: 8 Rob Valetini, 9 Nic White, 10 Noah Lolesio, 11 Max Jorgensen, 12 Samu Kerevi, 13 Len Ikitau, 14 Andrew Kellaway, 15 Tom Wright
Replacements: 16 Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 17 James Slipper, 18 Zane Nonggorr, 19 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 20 Langi Gleeson, 21 Tate McDermott, 22 Ben Donaldson, 23 Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii