Wales aims to depart NZ on a high
Source: Agencies |
October 21, 2011, Friday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
WALES aims to finish its Rugby World Cup campaign on a high in the third-place playoff against Australia at Eden Park, Auckland, today after the bitter disappointment of its one-point loss in the semifinals to France.
The Welsh, reduced to 14 men after their captain Sam Warburton was sent off in the first 20 minutes for a dangerous tackle, would have won the match if their goal-kicking had been more accurate.
"We still feel very hollow and very empty about what happened against France and we feel that the better team is not in the final of the World Cup," coach Warren Gatland told reporters this week.
"It would be easy for us to get our heads down and not give the performance we know we are capable of but if this team goes out and performs as they can we can leave here with our heads held high having earned a lot of respect."
Tony Faletau moves from No. 8 to openside flanker to replace Warburton with Ryan Jones coming on at the back of the scrum. James Hook retains the No. 10 jersey in the absence of the injured Rhys Priestland ahead of Stephen Jones.
Kurtley Beale returns at fullback for Australia after missing the semifinal against New Zealand through injury while coach Robbie Deans has replaced his entire front row.
Wallaby center Adam Ashley-Cooper said the Australian team would be committed to a match few people remember after the end of a tournament. "It's another opportunity to put on the Wallabies jersey and nobody is going to take it for granted," he said. "There's a bronze medal on offer and everyone is pretty excited."
Wallabies lock Nathan Sharpe was determined, however, that the Welsh were not going to ruin his 100th test. Sharpe will be the fifth Australian and 21st player overall to notch a century of test caps.
Sharpe said Australia was out to put the Welsh in their place. "If you let these teams get one over you, they get too much confidence."
The Welsh, reduced to 14 men after their captain Sam Warburton was sent off in the first 20 minutes for a dangerous tackle, would have won the match if their goal-kicking had been more accurate.
"We still feel very hollow and very empty about what happened against France and we feel that the better team is not in the final of the World Cup," coach Warren Gatland told reporters this week.
"It would be easy for us to get our heads down and not give the performance we know we are capable of but if this team goes out and performs as they can we can leave here with our heads held high having earned a lot of respect."
Tony Faletau moves from No. 8 to openside flanker to replace Warburton with Ryan Jones coming on at the back of the scrum. James Hook retains the No. 10 jersey in the absence of the injured Rhys Priestland ahead of Stephen Jones.
Kurtley Beale returns at fullback for Australia after missing the semifinal against New Zealand through injury while coach Robbie Deans has replaced his entire front row.
Wallaby center Adam Ashley-Cooper said the Australian team would be committed to a match few people remember after the end of a tournament. "It's another opportunity to put on the Wallabies jersey and nobody is going to take it for granted," he said. "There's a bronze medal on offer and everyone is pretty excited."
Wallabies lock Nathan Sharpe was determined, however, that the Welsh were not going to ruin his 100th test. Sharpe will be the fifth Australian and 21st player overall to notch a century of test caps.
Sharpe said Australia was out to put the Welsh in their place. "If you let these teams get one over you, they get too much confidence."
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