Australia vs Wales 1st Test Predictions - Wales can surprise Wallabies

Marc Thomas

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Last updated: 03 Jul 2024

Marc Thomas 03 Jul 2024

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Wales has won 4 of their last 5 matches against Australia.
Australia struggled at the 2023 Rugby World Cup, not making it out of their group.
Wales is aiming to recover after losses in the 2024 Six Nations and a defeat by South Africa.

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Wales can surprise Australia (Getty Images)

Australia vs Wales Preview

Wales have had the better of this fixture recently but both sides have been in poor form for some time now. I expect this first test to be very competitive, which brings the handicap into play.

Australia vs Wales Preview
Head to Head
Australia Form
Australia Injuries & Team News
Wales Form
Wales Injuries & Team News

Australia beat Wales 3-0 in the last tour down under.
Australia failed to make the quarter-finals of the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
Wales have lost their last 7 matches.
Wales have won 4 of their last 5 matches against Australia.

Head to Head

Wales have won four of their last five against Australia, but have notoriously struggled down under.

View the latest results and history of this fixture.

Australia Form

Australia come into the 2024 international season hoping for a vastly improved performance from last year. The Wallabies failed to make it out of their group at the 2023 Rugby World Cup, a group that included Wales.

There is a change of guard in Australia as they start looking at ways of taking their rugby union backed to the top of the world. This series offers them a great opportunity with Wales also struggling for results.

With the B+I Lions tour in 2025, the Wallabies don’t have much time to start showing improved results either.

Australia Injuries & Team News

With the experienced Joe Schmidt now in charge, the Wallabies will eventually have a calm head in the dugout. It is unsure how his team selection will go, but he is sure to be a lot more conservative that Eddie Jones before him.

Wales Form

Wales have struggled again in 2024 despite Warren Gatland still being in charge. They surprised many at the World Cup last year in the group stage where they beat Australia 40-6.

However, the Welsh then suffered a quarter-final loss to Argentina. In the 2024 Six Nations, things got even worse as Wales lost all five games.

Despite some of those losses being by narrow margins, Wales rugby is in trouble, and they will be desperate to get back on track. A fortnight ago, they were also humbled at Twickenham by South Africa.

Wales Injuries & Team News

Warren Gatland has little option but to look towards the future of Welsh rugby. They have a relatively young squad, but one that probably can compete on Australian shores.