Wales get Biggar boost off bench
WARREN GATLAND has challenged Wales to embrace the tag of favourites and hopes unleashing Dan Biggar and Liam Williams from the bench can end Wales’ 13-match Australian hoodoo. Wales have not beaten the Wallabies since 2008 but as the teams prepare to meet tomorrow at Principality Stadium, Gatland is sensing victory.
The coach has made three changes to the team who beat Scotland 21-10 with prop Tomas Francis, lock Adam Beard and wing Josh Adams all coming into the starting XV.
That means Lions pair Biggar and Williams will look to provide a point of difference off the bench, an area Gatland thinks will be key.
“It is definitely one of the strongest benches we have had for a long time,” he said. “There has definitely been talk about the impact and importance of the bench in this game.
“It has been well documented that Australia are under different sorts of pressures than we are, but the pressure for us is being favourites and being able to handle it.”
Gatland has kept faith with Gareth Anscombe at fly-half and despite their horror run against Australia, Wales are favourites with every bookmaker.
Wallabies coach Michael Cheika named his strongest possible side and, after losing seven of 10 matches this year, said: “All the scars we collect will help us. I can see people inside this team starting to change things because they do not want to feel pain again.”
WALES: Replacements: AUSTRALIA: Replacements: