Preview - Australia v Wales

In the final warm up match before the Test Series with Great Britain, the Australian Kangaroos line-up against the Welsh Dragons early on Monday morning (Australian time) in what should be a cracker of a contest.

Australia are sporting a near full-strength side and will be hard to beat with a few players out to prove they?ve got what it takes to play in the Mighty Green and Gold against the Lions in the coming week.

And the Welsh have every right to feel they might cause a bit of an upset here. But with playmaker and five-eighth Lee Briers (inset) being ruled out with a reoccurence of a broken wrist, the Dragons are looking a little shaky.

However, Australian?s preparation has been anything but great. Losing 30-16 to the Kiwi?s must have been a humbling experience and since then the Aussies have been less than impressive, securing a 34-10 victory over the French Selection and surviving another close shave against England A, finally going out 26-22 winners.

The team lacks cohesion on the field and on paper is one of the most inexperienced touring outfits ever. And given the stigma surrounding the Chris Anderson situation, both home and abroad, it is hard to imagine that it hasn?t impacted upon the team in some way, shape or form.

A Gower/Kimmorley half combination should be an interesting move, and one which definitely needed to be made without the services of a specialist five-eighth. Craig Wing did an admirable job against New Zealand, but in the end didn?t have the variety required to trouble the Kiwi?s, but will certainly be a handful off the bench this week, where he has been used to great effect in the past.

In the engine room, Australia lack nothing. Two hard-headed props in Webcke and Civoniceva will sort out the Welsh pack early on, and with Villasanti, Mason and Waterhouse being injected at various stages, it?s hard to imagine the Aussies being dominated. The versatility of Buderus at hooker adds another string to the Roos attacking options which will no doubt be exploited through the middle of the ruck.

The backline is a different story, a composite of strength, experience and class. Darren Lockyer captains the team from the back, with the irrepressible Anthony Minichello and Shannon Hegarty on either wing. Both look to have secured a berth for next week.

Ryan Girdler gets his first shot on tour, partnering Phil Bailey in the centres. This is an interesting duo, and perhaps a target for the Welsh. Girdler is coming off a calf injury and Bailey is not known for his pace, sometimes residing in the second row.

Although I think the Welsh will give the game a good shake, I think the Australians realize the urgency of the situation and know it?s time to step up and get into gear for the Test Series.

My tip: Australia by 24.

Australian team:

Darren Lockyer, Anthony Minichello, Ryan Girdler, Phil Bailey, Shannon Hegarty, Craig Gower, Brett Kimmorley; Shane Webcke, Danny Buderus, Petero Civoniceva, Steve Simpson, Craig Fitzgibbon, Luke Ricketson.

Subs: Richard Villasanti, Willie Mason, Trent Waterhouse, Craig Wing.

Welsh team:

Paul Atchinson, Damien Gibson, Kris Tassell, Adam Hughes, Hesin O'Hare, Aled James, Mark Lennon, Kevin Ellis, Chris Morley, Jon Aston, Anthony Farrell, Ian Watson, Rob Roberts.

Subs: Alan Bateman, Gareth Price, Jordan James, David Mills.

Ed: Leagueunlimited.com will be providing a 'by the clock' update of the Wales v Australia international (from Monday 5am Sydney time). To view the update, click on the 'Wales Australia' link in the right side column.