LIVE: Wallabies begin new Test season against Wales
The Wallabies will begin life under Joe Schmidt as they host Wales in the first Test of 2024 in Sydney.
Liam Wright has been named as the new captain as part of a new-look Wallabies squad.
Tickets to Saturday's Wallaroos-Wallabies double-header in Sydney available here!
Seven debutants have been selected by Schmidt, including Western Force captain Jeremy Williams and Josh Flook in the starting side.
They take on Wales for the first time since the Welsh all but ended their World Cup ambitions in Lyon.
Winger Josh Hathaway debuts for Wales in a vastly different side from their last encounter, coming off a heavy defeat to the Springboks.
FOLLOW ALL THE ACTION FROM 7:45 PM IN THE LIVE BLOG BELOW OR THE MATCH CENTRE
8': Andrew Kellaway busts through the Welsh defence from a lovely Hunter Paisami shot ball and Australia go 50m - they're hot on the attack inside Wales' 22m again!
6': AUSTRALIA PENALTY GOAL! Lolesio squares things up after Wales give away another ruck penalty dead six metres from their chalk and dead in front. Australia 3 Wales 3 |
5': Australia back on the attack from a sharp Noah Lolesio kick that pins the Welsh deep in their 22m. Wales concede a breakdown penalty and the Wallabies will plug the corner!
3': WALES PENALTY GOAL! First penalty of the evening goes against James Slipper for a no-arms tackle and Ben Thomas makes the Wallabies pay off the tee from 40m out. Wales 3-0 |
0': And we're underway in the Wallabies' opening Test under Joe Schmidt! It's Australia in gold running left to right against the Welsh in red.
PRE-GAME
Sydney fans have been treated to a special appearance from Wallabies legend Michael Hooper, who led both sides onto the Allianz Stadium turf.
Hooper received a standing ovation from a jam-packed crowd - what a moment for spectators and fans alike, spine-tingling stuff.
WALLABIES v WALES TEAMS
Wallabies (15-1): Tom Wright, Andrew Kellaway, Josh Flook, Hunter Paisami, Filipo Daugunu, Noah Lolesio, Jake Gordon, Rob Valetini, Fraser McReight, Liam Wright (c), Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Jeremy Williams, Taniela Tupou, Matt Faessler, James Slipper
Replacements: Billy Pollard, Isaac Kailea, Allan Alaalatoa, Angus Blyth, Charlie Cale, Tate McDermott, Tom Lyngah, Dylan Pietsch
Wales (15-1): Liam Williams, Josh Hathaway, Owen Watkin, Mason Grady, Rio Dyer, Ben Thomas, Ellis Bevan, Aaron Wainwright, Tommy Reffell, Taine Plumtree, Dafydd Jenkins, Christ Tshiunza, Archie Griffin, Dewi Lake (c), Gareth Thomas
Replacements: Evan Lloyd, Kemsley Mathias, Harri O'Connor, Cory Hill, James Botham, Kieran Hardy, Sam Costelow, Nick Tompkins
Referee: Pierre Brousset
Assistant Referees: Ben O'Keeffe and James Doleman
HOW TO WATCH WALLABIES v WALES
The Wallabies' clash with Wales will be shown LIVE on Stan Sport and the Nine Network
Coverage will be live and ad-free on Stan Sport, slated to start at 7:00 pm AEST with kickoff expected at 7:55 pm AEST.
The Wallabies v Wales match will also be shown on free-to-air, with coverage on Channel 9 (NSW, QLD, VIC, NT) or Gem (SA, WA) beginning at 7:30 pm AEST.
WHEN IS THE WALLABIES V WALES KICK OFF?
The Wallabies' clash with Wales will kick off at 7:55 pm AEST at Allianz Stadium on Saturday July 6
Coverage will be ad-free from 7:00 pm AEST and continue throughout the game on Stan Sport, whilst beginning at 7:30 on the Nine Network.
