Via Last Word on Rugby, Robert Rees

The Wales squad to play Australia was announced earlier today, so lets take a look at the reaction of who is in and out from the perspective of the fans.

Wales Squad Fan Reaction

REACTION

The overwhelming reaction on social media at least has been that of an expected starting XV, with no major surprises perhaps on the bench either. Most are happy with the squad considering the injuries and personal reasons for not being able to play. It is also good to see some fresh names on the bench in Cory Hill and Sam Davies. Despite two new names on the bench, the matchday 23 has a combined 802 caps before this weekend’s tie.

This experience will hopefully be invaluable in keeping calm heads in the times it matters, with Wales infamously losing out to Australia in the last ten or twenty minutes quite a few times in recent history. Wales are on an 11 match losing streak against the Aussies and will be very hard pushed to beat them this time around.

Fans are also pretty happy with Gethin Jenkins as captain in the absence of Warburton and Alun Wyn Jones, but also with the plans to have Halfpenny kick upon his return over Biggar.

WHICH PLAYERS HAVE CAUSED CONTROVERSY?

Alex Cuthbert has caused a stir on Twitter on whether he should be in or out of the side, with Hallum Amos also knocking on the door for the starting jersey. Amos had a decent summer and a great start to this season with the Dragons in attacking form, but has been a defensive liability, especially against the All Blacks in the summer. Cuthbert possesses the threat of a strong ball carrier in midfield and for a winger is surprisingly strong over the ball. To quote a Welsh fan on Twitter, ”he’s a good ball carrier in midfield and strong over the ball.” Overall the view on Cuthbert leans in favour of the Amos, although he will be under heavy scrutiny from many after a few lacklustre performances in the Welsh jersey in recent times.

Injuries have forced the Welsh pack to change around a bit in the back row with Faletau and Warburton both unavailable through injury. This means that Moriaty goes to number eight and Lydiate returns in the six shirt. Lydiate has been the one under pressure from fans today on-line with many wanting Moriaty at six and Dan Baker in at eight. With the opposition being as tough as Australia perhaps starting Evans would have been not such a good thing as putting Moriaty in there, and then bringing in Dan Lydiate on the flank. His form hasn’t been sky high this year and perhaps he is in there only due to injury, but he will have to put in a trademark defensive display with the Aussies expecting to have quite a lot of ball to run at Wales.

THE WALES SQUAD

1. Gethin jenkins (captain)
2. Ken Owens
3. Samson Lee
4. Bradley Davies
5. Luke Charteris
6. Dan Lydiate
7. Justin Tipuric
8. Ross Moriaty
9. Rhys Webb
10. Dan Biggar
11. George North
12. Jamie Roberts
13. Jonathan Davies
14. Alex Cuthbert
15. Leigh Halfpenny
16.  Scott Baldwin
17. Nicky Smith
18. Tomos Francis
19. Cory Hill
20. James King
21. Gareth Davies
22. Sam Davies
23. Hallum Amos

Wales vs. Australia, Cardiff, Saturday November 5th, 14.30 KO.

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