By Graham Thomas
No-one is exactly sure why, but Wales play Queensland Reds on Friday.
It’s something to do with a planned Test against Samoa not materialising, other international opponents being touted, and the final conclusion that a game against provincial opponents might still swell the coffers, anyway, so what the heck.
A crowd of over 20,000 is therefore expected at the Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane for a match Warren Gatland would probably admit in private he could do without.
If Wales win, it will mostly be greeted with a shrug of the shoulders since national teams are supposed to beat regional ones. That was always the vibe 20 years ago and more, when tours always included matches against local club and provincial teams – incoming trips to Wales, included.
https://twitter.com/BBCScrumV/status/1813584642491961390
Lose and more rage, contempt and derision will be heaped upon Gatland, who has already suffered nine defeats on the bounce.
A 10th successive loss won’t add to that tally in official, world ranking terms – as it’s not a Test match – but this throwback fixture could end with more unpleasant stuff being thrown in Gatland’s direction.
The Reds are primed and motivated, but unlike in previous years when these teams would include their international players – who would then get another crack at the touring team in the Tests – there are no Wallaby players available as Australia are busy playing Georgia.
The good news for Gatland is that an under-strength Reds team means Wales – who are giving opportunities to players not seen in the two losing Tests – have been made favourites.
https://twitter.com/rugbyjpcom/status/1813355467202298103
DragonBet have Wales at 2/9 to win, with the Reds 10/3 outsiders and the draw at 25/1.
Wales are near even money at 11/10 with the handicap of a 12.5 points start given to the Reds.
The last time the teams met was back in 1991 when Paul Thorburn was Wales captain and Ron Waldron was coach. Wales lost 35-24, before being hammered in the Test series and Waldron – who liked to talk a lot about the next World Cup – lost his job soon afterwards.
That World Cup was only four months away, whereas Gatland’s frequent references to the tournament point to a target that is still three-and-a-half years away.
New Wales captain Cory Hill apologises for his part in an incident three years ago in which a woman's house was damaged.#BBCRugby pic.twitter.com/4yhXKMNmZS
— BBC ScrumV (@BBCScrumV) July 17, 2024
Having lost nine times in a row, he seems to be reluctant to talk about winning or losing this weekend, preferring, instead, to mention “growing”.
“I’ve been pleased with the growth we’ve seen in the squad over the last three or four weeks and that growth will continue,” he said.
“We’re expecting a good challenge from the Reds on Friday and know they will be up for this fixture.
“I’m looking to see us stay in the moment and keep scanning for opportunities as well as being alert to threats. Little efforts will make the difference.”
The Reds are expecting their biggest home crowd for four years and many of them will be intrigued to inspect the form of James O’Connor in the No.10 shirt.
New Wales captain Cory Hill apologises for his part in an incident three years ago in which a woman's house was damaged https://t.co/zYEkW9x1eY
— BBC Wales News (@BBCWalesNews) July 17, 2024
O’Connor, now 34, has not played much this season but he has plenty of history playing against Wales – most of it on the wing and memorable for finishing up on the winning side. In five Tests, he lost just once, in the pool stages of the 2019 World Cup in Japan.
“I can speak for everyone in the squad when I say this is an awesome opportunity for the Reds and the players involved,” O’Connor said.
“We are playing a quality national team in what is pretty much a Test match situation.
“I haven’t played much footy this season so I’m really looking forward to this game against a country I’ve enjoyed playing against in the past.”
The other notable talking point that has raised plenty of eyebrows has been Gatland’s decision to make Cory Hill his captain.
The lock has said he regrets an incident that happened three years ago when he was named among a group of individuals that damaged a woman’s house in May 2021.
The 32-year-old was not charged by police and he apologised at the time through a representative.
But that has not stemmed online debate about the decision to give Hill the armband, especially as his appearance as a replacement in the first Test against Australia ended more than three years out of international rugby, after he left Cardiff abruptly to play in Japan.
Wales lock Cory Hill says he regrets an incident that happened three years ago and has apologised for it publicly as he prepares to captain his countryhttps://t.co/Lskd90m6Uy
— Nation.Cymru (@NationCymru) July 17, 2024
Read our recent “Wales Australia” stories.
Wales Must Learn Their Lessons As Quickly as New-Look Wallabies
Two Kiwis And One Tight Head-To-Head Record As Wales Take On Australia
