Wales - Australia

Good afternoon ladies and gentleman, boys and girls, and welcome to the Millennium Stadium. What a cracking afternoon we’ve got lined up for it. It’s the Grand Slam champions, Wales, up against the might of Australia. Can Wales write yet another chapter in their glorious rugby history? Wales are led as always by Ryan Jones – one of five Jones’ in their starting line up. Talk about commentator’s nightmare! Jones to Jones, with Jones on the inside, to Jones on the over-lap! For good measure, there are two more of the Jones boys on the sideline.

1 min. Australia to kick off with Giteau, and we’re off. Oops….A school boy error from fullback Ashley-Cooper taking his eye off the ball, gives Wales giving a good attacking scrum on the half way line. Poor start that for the Wallabies.

2 min. Wales show their intention to attack from the off, with the ball spun wide from the scrum, but kill the ball at the breakdown giving away a cheap penalty. Big news and a huge blow for the Wallabies. Captain Stirling Mortlock is taken from the field feeling his shoulder after a huge hit in midfield. He’s not coming back, and they’ll miss their influential leader. It’s already looking like a battle field, with two red shirts down also.

4 mins. Try time Wales. What a superb start. And it’s that wing wizard Shane Williams. Super Shane starts the move with a break in his own half, superbly backed up by Lee Byrne at fullback. The ball comes wide from the break down and Shane scoops the ball off the turf to touch down in the corner. They’ll be singing in the valleys after that one. Stephen Jones misses the conversion. Wales 5 – Australia 0.
7 mins. It’s all Wales, as they take the fight to the Wallabies. The ball is going through hands, and the three quarters are licking their lips at the prospect of my opportunities. They’ll have to wait a little longer though, as Wales give a penalty away for going off their feet. The Wallabies can breath… for the time being.

10 mins. Possession 80%-20% to the Welsh dragons and they’re breathing fire. Australia have barely been out their own half.

12 mins. Take that Phil Waugh. Welsh No. 8 Andy Powell runs straight through the open side flanker attempted tackle as Wales press hard for another score. Waugh shouldn’t feel bad. I don’t think a wall would have stopped that run from Powell. This is fantastic stuff from the Grand Slam champions.

13 mins. The commentators’ curse strikes. It’s the easiest try you’ll ever see from the Aussie lock forward Chisholm. Rees misses his jumper in the lineout and the ball falls nicely for the big forward to stroll unopposed to the Welsh line from 60 metres. The Welsh had left no-one at home, with Byrne joining the line in expectation of red ball in the line up. Not even Shane Edwards’ famed slide defence could stop that. Giteau with the easy conversion and amazingly, it’s Wales 5 – Australia 7. Undeserved but there you go. How will Wales react?

17 mins. Not very well is the answer. Buoyed but their try, the Aussies are putting some phases together now, with only a knock on deep in Welsh territory halting that attack. It’s the turn of a very decent Aussies smattering in the crowd (accompanied by the obligatory blow-up kangaroos) that are making themselves heard now. Gatland and Edwards faces are a picture high in the stands. They look truly dumb-founded, probably wondering how they’re behind after their opening 10 minutes.

20 mins. It’s fast and furious, with both sides looking to attack at every opportunity. The Millenium faithful are being served up with a real treat today. The Aussies continue to be found down (under) on the wrong side of the ball, giving Wales great attacking position.

22 mins. The groans go up around the Welsh faithful, as for the third time Welsh indiscipline throws away great attacking position. Great play prior to that by the Welsh pack, the pick and drive gaining valuable yards.

24 mins. Drop goal Matt Giteau. Slow ball coming back on the Aussie side gives Giteau the drop goal opportunity, which he easily slots from 30 yards. Wales 5 – Australia 10.

27 mins. Yellow card. Take a breather Stephen Moore. The Wallaby hooker is given 10 minutes in the bin for killing for the ball with Wales looking dangerous. Good decision ref, the Welsh had the numbers over and a try looked a dead cert. Stephen Jones finds his kicking boots. Wales 8 – Australia 10.

29 mins. Welsh hands in the ruck giving Giteau a penalty opportunity from 40 minutes… Which he misses pushing to the left. Wales off the hook.

31 mins. The sin bin looks costly now as Ospreys Lee Byrne picks a great line, takes a short ball from super Shane in midfield and strides over for a cracking try. Is Byrne the best fullback in Europe, and a shoe in for the Lions? On this form, it’s a definite yes. Jones converts from in front of the sticks. Wales 15 – Australia 10. Game on…

35 mins. Great snipping from the base of a Welsh lineout sees Gareth Cooper bursting towards the Aussie line. He looks left with Martyn Williams in support and a run for the line. But no, the pass doesn’t go to hand, and Williams knocks on. Big opportunity that.

40 mins. HALF TIME. WALES 15 AUSTRALIA 10, and what a half of rugby. The half ends as we started with the Welsh in the ascendancy. Only great Aussie defence keeps their line intact. Take a breath; put the kettle on, we go again in 15 minutes.

The Welsh have seen more ball, but so far indiscipline has cost them dearly, as they’ve thrown away great field position. I can hardly wait for the second forty. If the Welsh cut out these errors, I’m putting my head on the line and saying a narrow victory….

Maybe its wrong to single out players after such an entertaining half, but I’ll do it anyway. Star turns today coming from Lee Byrne, and Andy Powell. Powell particularly is having a field day, and turned himself into something of a human battering ram.

Picture Credits: Rugbyheaven.com, Skysports.com