Wales Needs to Beat Wallabies for Cup Boost
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82 SPORT SATURDAY NOVEMBER 10 2018 Wales needs to beat Wallabies for Cup boost JAMIE PANDARAM Cup chances. On September his side a huge psychological favourable side of the draw,” dying stages to clinch victory. “We’ve been pretty gutted 29 next year, the Wallabies and edge. Gatland said. “We’re well aware To combat this, Gatland has after a few games that we’ve WALES has rocketed to third Wales will face off in Tokyo in “We’ve got to prepare the of that, and winning on Saturday stacked his bench with experi- been in positions to win them in the world rankings and a match that should determine best we can to get that result hopefully will give us a spring- ence, surprisingly leaving Brit- and we’ve thrown winning posi- peeled off six straight Test vic- the winner of Pool D. and beat them, and that will be board.” ish & Irish Lions stars Dan tions away. tories, but coach Warren Gat- This weekend in Cardiff, the psychologically important for Most of the 13 defeats Wales Biggar and Liam Williams to “We should have beaten land knows that breaking Welsh get the chance to break us next year because every- has suffered to Australia have come off the pine. Australia on quite a few occa- Australia’s decade-long streak the 13-match winning streak one’s pretty aware that if you been decided by seven points “It’s definitely one of the sions over recent years and we over his side this weekend will Australia holds over them, and win our group in the World Cup or less, and the Wallabies have strongest benches we’ve had for haven’t managed to do it. We be imperative for its World Gatland says victory would give you go into potentially a more made a habit of scoring in the a long time,” Gatland said. want to put that ledger right.” Misery fuelling dreams for RWC JAMIE PANDARAM THE worst slump in Wallabies history can spark them to win “Those scars next year’s World Cup, coach Michael Cheika believes. you collect … Australia has lost nine of its past 12 games and is sixth in they are only the world rankings. going to help” But Cheika is certain it will fortify his players to challenge MICHAEL CHEIKA for the William Webb Ellis tro- phy in Japan. perience that game so take that “Some of the pain we have experience, put it into what felt this year and some of the you already know and build on hurt is only going to help us,” it. I’m a big believer that those Cheika said. things form you, and form how “All those scars you collect, hungry you are going forward. whether it’s now, this game, “Every team I’m ever in- next game, the one after that volved in seems to have those or the 15 games that are left up roller-coaster rides and that until the World Cup final, they somehow, in some crazy way, are only going to help us. they help you deal with it when “That’s a thing I’ve got ex- it gets most frantic when you perience with and I believe I really need it because you’ve Samu Kerevi during a training session at Llanwern High School in Newport, Wales, yesterday Picture: GETTY/DAN MULLAN can see people inside of the been up and down. team already starting to “We’ve still got a bit to go. change things because they It’s not going to be all upswing Kerevi eats and lifts his way to Test fitness don’t want to feel that pain from here I can tell you now. again, which is a pretty normal We’re going to get some injur- reaction from humans.” ies, things are going to happen, GOOD eating and But after impressing in his be a force in the Test arena. explosiveness. I would do Cheika said Australia’s re- you just don’t know. powerlifting gym sessions have comeback off the bench “I watched my eating, that fitness on Monday and Friday, markable comeback victory in “You set your goal, you Samu Kerevi ready to explode against the All Blacks a was one big thing, trying to eat which were the hard days, but Argentina from 31-7 down two dream, and then it’s how through the Welsh defence in fortnight ago, Kerevi is healthier,” Kerevi said. every other was about speed Tests ago was a landmark re- you’re going to achieve your his return to the Wallabies’ confident of bringing his best “Our trainer at the Reds and power in the gym. sult, despite losing the next dream and you believe in it and starting side tomorrow form to Cardiff. took a different approach to “It was exciting to train with game to New Zealand. you stay true the whole time. morning (NT time). Kerevi changed his training what I have had in the last the City and Country boys in “I think that some pennies And you enjoy the ride, mate. The bullocking centre has during his lengthy rehabilitation couple of years in rehab – that the NRC. I did their gym dropped after the Argentina “You can’t cry when it not worn the Australian No. 13 and believes that gym work was a lot about getting fitness sessions, getting the arm back game inside a few heads and doesn’t go good for you. jersey since June, having coupled with a strict diet will back. to size. That different approach let’s take that,” he said. “You’ve got to enjoy that part suffered a torn biceps in July. allow his 108kg frame to again “For him, it was more about helped me.” “That was a pretty crazy ex- of the journey.” Cheika defends ‘Pooper’ combination from lineout attacks COACH Michael Cheika has the Wallabies have lost mul- Wyn Jones and 203cm Adam “Hooper is probably one of be starting backrowers for next lauded Michael Hooper as one tiple key throws this year, but Beard will pile enormous pres- the best jumpers we’ve got in year’s World Cup. of the best lineout jumpers in Cheika is adamant they can fix sure on Australia’s lineout, but the team, he’s fast, he’s quite “There’s a lot of challengers the Australian team and says it with more clinical throwing. if it crumbles again Cheika light, he’s usually getting lifted starting to come up now,” playing the skipper alongside That pressure falls to hook- won’t see a breakup of Pooper by two tall guys. Cheika said. David Pocock in the backrow er Tolu Latu, who will start his as the solution. “He’s more than capable of “You’ve got (Isi) Naisarani has not been a factor in their first Test of the year in the Car- “Any issue you’re saying winning quality lineout ball on this tour who will be avail- set-piece woes. diff cauldron of Principality with the lineout has got noth- with the players we have in able next year, you’ve got Rob The “Pooper” combination Stadium against a Welsh side ing to do with having those that formation.” Valetini on this tour who has is used at the expense of a on a six-game winning streak. two lads there together,” However, Cheika said it was already shown a fair bit inside fourth tall lineout option, and Wales locking duo Alun Cheika said. not a given that the pair would of the training sessions.” Michael Hooper NTNE01Z01MA - V1.