Australia meets Wales in a match between Pool D leaders at Tokyo Stadium, Tokyo on September 29. Kickoff is at 16:45 local (3:45 ET). The match may be viewed in the U.S. on NBC Sports Gold on-demand as part of a Rugby World Cup subscription package.
in both team’s opening matches, Wales defeated Georgia 43-14, while Australia beat Fiji 39-21.
Australia Head Coach Michael Cheika has made four changes in his starters switching Australia’s half-backs to Will Genia and Bernard Foley, who will win his 107th cap, and 71st cap, respectively. Foley, who is nicknamed “the Iceman”, should bring stability to the kicking game.
Adam Ashley-Cooper replaces Reece Hodge, who was suspended for the remaining Pool matches as the result of a dangerous tackle against Fiji. It is Ashley-Cooper’s 4th RWC and his 120th cap. James O’Connor will earn his 50th cap for the Wallabies.
Wales Head Coach is confident in the squad that faced Georgia and has only made one change in the reserves with Owen Watkin replacing Leigh Halfpenny. Alun Wyn Jones will captain the team from second-row and will earn his 130th cap with an additional nine caps earned in representing the Lions.
Squads
Australia: 1 Scott Sio 2 Tolu Latu 3 Allan Alaalatoa 4 Izack Rodda 5 Rory Arnold 6 David Pocock 7 Michael Hooper (capt.) 8 Isi Naisarani 9 Will Genia 10 Bernard Foley 11 Marika Koroibete 12 Samu Kerevi 13 James O’Connor 14 Adam Ashley-Cooper 15 Dane Haylett-Petty 16 Jordan Uelese 17 James Slipper 18 Sekope Kepu 19 Adam Coleman 20 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto 21 Nic White 22 Matt To’omua 23 Kurtley Beale
Wales: 1 Wyn Jones 2 Ken Owens 3 Tom Frances 4 Jake Ball 5 Alun Wyn Jones 6 Aaron Wainwright 7 Justin Tipuric 8 Josh Navidi 9 Gareth Davies 10 Dan Biggar 11 Josh Adams 12 Hadleigh Parkes 13 Jonathan Davies 14 George North 15 Liam Williams 16 Elliot Dee 17 Nicky Smith 18 Dillon Lewis 19 Aaron Shingler 20 Ross Moriarty 21 Tomos Williams 22 Rhys Patchell 23 Owen Watkin
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