Australia and Wales renew rivalries in Sydney

Australia and Wales mingle together

Men’s international friendly: Australia v Wales

Venue: Allianz Stadium, Sydney Date: Saturday, 6 July Kick off: 10:45 BST

Coverage: Listen on BBC Radio Wales, Radio Cymru, BBC Sounds, the BBC Sport website and app, plus live text commentary, followed by report and reaction on the BBC Sport website and app.

Wales will begin their tour of Australia when they tackle the Wallabies in Sydney in the first of two Tests on Saturday.

Warren Gatland's team will then travel to Melbourne followed by an appointment with Queensland Reds as they look to rediscover a winning formula that has deserted them since the 2023 World Cup.

History shows how tough a task Wales face. It is 55 years since Wales beat the Wallabies on Australian soil with a 19-16 success at Sydney Cricket Ground in 1969 was secured by a team featuring players like JPR Williams, John Dawes, Barry John and Gareth Edwards.

It has been one-way traffic during 11 defeats and Wales will be hoping they can stop the losing sequence this weekend.

Both nations are in rebuilding mode during the early stages of a four-year World Cup cycle with them languishing in ninth and 10th places in World Rugby's rankings, with Wales one spot lower.

Wales have lost their last seven internationals and finished bottom of the Six Nations for the first time in 21 years.

This is Australia's first game in almost nine months since they slumped to a World Cup low at the 2023 tournament in France, making a pool stage exit for the first time before head coach Eddie Jones' reign ended just 10 months into a five-year contract.

The former England boss won only two of his nine games in charge, with Wales among those to pile on the misery through a 40-6 World Cup victory in Lyon.

Australian rugby chiefs then turned to former Ireland boss Joe Schmidt, who masterminded three Six Nations title triumphs and victories over New Zealand during a success-laden time at the helm.

Schmidt is now poised for a first game as Wallabies head coach amid considerable expectation that he can turn things around.

Team news

Gatland fields just three of the starters - Liam Williams, Gareth Thomas and Aaron Wainwright - that completed a demolition job on Australia last autumn.

There is a first cap for 20-year-old Gloucester back Josh Hathaway, who lines up on the wing, with Ben Thomas handed fly-half duties.

Thomas last played for Wales in 2021 and is normally a centre with Cardiff, but he now becomes Gatland's sixth different starting number 10 since the New Zealander began his second stint as head coach ahead of the 2023 Six Nations.

Sydney-born Bath prop Archie Griffin starts at tight-head prop, while lock Christ Tshiunza and flanker Tommy Reffell are named in a pack that includes number eight Aaron Wainwright who will win his first cap. Hooker Dewi Lake captains the side.

The Wallabies have also named an inexperienced team with a new skipper in flanker Liam Wright, and centre Josh Flook and lock Jeremy Williams making their debuts.

There are five newcomers among the replacements, including Tom Lynagh, who is the son of Wallabies World Cup winner Michael and brother of Italy international Louis.

Only prop James Slipper, number eight Rob Valetini and wing Andrew Kellaway started the World Cup record defeat against Wales in France last year.

How they line-up

Australia: Tom Wright; Andrew Kellaway, Josh Flook, Hunter Paisami, Filipo Daugunu; Noah Lolesio, Jake Gordon: James Slipper, Matt Faessler, Taniela Tupou, Jeremy Williams, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Liam Wright (capt), Fraser McReight, Rob Valetini.

Replacements: Billy Pollard, Isaac Kailea, Allan Alaalatoa, Angus Blyth, Charlie Cale, Tate McDermott, Tom Lynagh, Dylan Pietsch.

Wales: Liam Williams; Josh Hathaway, Owen Watkin, Mason Grady, Rio Dyer; Ben Thomas, Ellis Bevan; Gareth Thomas, Dewi Lake (capt), Archie Griffin, Christ Tshiunza, Dafydd Jenkins, Taine Plumtree, Tommy Reffell, Aaron Wainwright.

Replacements: Evan Lloyd, Kemsley Mathias, Harri O'Connor, Cory Hill, James Botham, Kieran Hardy, Sam Costelow, Nick Tompkins.

Referee: Pierre Brousset (France)

Assistant referees: Ben O'Keeffe (New Zealand), James Doleman (New Zealand)

TMO: Marius Jonker (South Africa).

What they said

Australia head coach Joe Schmidt: "We're trying to have a keen, fresh group but a balance of experience, and a balance of what we saw potential in, and hopefully that potential becomes the performance that we need.

"We've got to be short-term focused and make sure we win as many of the moments that matter on Saturday so that we build some confidence and combinations, and at the same time keep the scoreboard ticking over."

Wales head coach Warren Gatland: "I don't know a lot about the Australian team.

"We're both on the same journey, with a younger group of players that are building towards the next couple of years.

"We haven't had a brilliant record in Sydney over the years. Australia don't have a great record here as well. The bookies have them as favourites, which is brilliant.

"Whatever Australian team we play, the respect I have as a Kiwi for Australia and their success, they will be difficult.

"They'll come to the match with a lot of confidence and self-belief, that's one of their strengths as a nation."