Warren Gatland believes the shock changes in the Wallabies team for their Rugby World Cup pool clash are out of respect for his own Wales team.
Gatland isn’t one to shy from mind games and suggested Michael Cheika had switched his halves and fullback as a way to counter Welsh strengths in Sunday’s encounter in Tokyo.
The Australian overhaul contrasts with the approach of Welsh selectors, who have retained the same experienced starting XV who beat Georgia 43-14 on Monday.
One change on the bench sees midfield back Owen Watkin replace fullback Leigh Halfpenny, primarily because inside centre Hadleigh Parkes is starting with a small fracture in his hand, casting doubt over his ability to play 80 minutes.
Gatland reckons he can identify Cheika’s reasons for dropping fullback Kurtley Beale and halves Christian Lealiifano and Nic White. They’re replaced with Dane Haylett-Petty, Bernard Foley and Will Genia.
“I think it’s a sign of respect. That’s how far we’ve come as a team over a number of years,” Gatland told journalists.
“I don’t think this was always the case with Wales. Teams probably wouldn’t consider our attacking threats or any threats at all.
“With Foley they will probably kick a bit more than they have been. Their kicking percentage (in general play) has been pretty low in recent internationals.”
He felt Haylett-Petty’s inclusion was to better negate the Welsh kicking game.
“With Beale they lose a bit of their attacking threat because he is definitely an attacking threat for them. As in the past he will probably come off the bench relatively early and will be a handful for us.”
Gatland singled out David Pocock, rather than fellow-flanker Michael Hooper, as Australia’s primary threat for turning over breakdown ball.
He recalled Pocock’s influence in last year’s Test in Cardiff, won 9-6 by the hosts.
“We did a good job last year on Hooper. He had about 12 attempts against us trying to steal the ball and he did not get any. Pocock was a different story. He had about 10 attempts and got about five,” Gatland said.
“They’re two definite threats at the breakdown but we are pretty happy with our loose forwards and their ball carrying physicality as well.”
Wales captain Alun Wyn Jones will play his 139th Test all up and his 130th for Wales. The latter is a national record, moving one clear of former prop Gethin Jenkins.
WALES:
Liam Williams, George North, Jonathan Davies, Hadleigh Parkes, Josh Adams, Dan Biggar, Gareth Davies, Josh Navidi, Justin Tipuric, Aaron Wainwright, Alun Wyn Jones (capt), Jake Ball, Tomas Francis, Ken Owens, Wyn Jones. Res: Elliot Dee, Nicky Smith, Dillon Lewis, Aaron Shingler, Ross Moriarty, Tomos Williams, Rhys Patchell, Owen Watkin.
