Edwards, whose Wales contract expires after the World Cup, played down suggestions he might join England’s set-up amid talk of a Red Rose coaching revamp after their embarrassing World Cup exit.
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“It’s still early days … this is game on the weekend is so massive, it could be the difference between getting to the World Cup final or not”, Williams told Fairfax Media.
The victory over England has not changed the hard work being put in by the Australia players, many of who remember well the dark place the side found themselves in when they lost six out of their last seven tests in 2014.
“This weekend is going to be a cracker”.
As for Wales’ latest attempt to prove they can mix it with the best the southern hemisphere have to offer, the Wallabies aren’t preparing to shadow box, they’re ready for the real thing. We are up against it, but with that determination and the pride in the jersey …
And Wales will be showing the same level of respect, not underestimating any Wallabies team it faces – no matter who is in the line-up. This is a huge game for us. “Tipuric is a fantastic player”, said Cheika.
He won a host of awards for his play in recent seasons, including the Rookie of the Year for both the Wallabies and for the Australian Super Rugby franchises.
“It’s about learning from those experiences”.
Cheika’s troops looked unstoppable against England, and they are priced at 10/31 to beat Wales. It’s been a long time … you can’t switch off at any moment.
“I don’t listen to any other comments from the outside”. The more it happened the worse it got.
“I think they are favourites but it doesn’t bother me what the bookies think”.
Playing today: Pool C – 21.00 New Zealand vs Tonga.
Gatland’s initial 31-man squad has been decimated by injury, both before and during the tournament, with Leigh Halfpenny, Rhys Webb, Scott Williams, Hallam Amos and Cory Allen all sidelined.
The Kiwi, who qualifies through his Cardiff-born mother and was named after Gareth Edwards, said: “This was always the dream and what I hoped my decision to come to Wales would lead to”.
Few expected the injury-hit Welsh to challenge for the quarter-finals, but – qualification guaranteed – Gatland has signalled his intent by naming an unfamiliar starting XV that includes winger George North in the centres.
The RFU have confirmed that English five-eighth Danny Cipriani and coach Mike Catt were involved in an explosive training ground spat but have denied that the incident played any part in World Cup selections, where the English team instead opted for Owen Farrell and George Ford.
If Wales can win that battle – and their pace in the back row at least gives them a chance – we should see more of their backs with time and space.
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“Me and “Gats” go back to 2002″.
