Wales v Australia: Prediction, Tips and Odds

Wales are enduring a miserable time of things and a packed Principality Stadium could be in for more disappointment when a reinvigorated Australia visit on Sunday.

Warren Gatland's side have lost their last 10 Tests, equalling the dismal run under Steve Hansen in 2002 and 2003, and another defeat would see this current crop of players set an unwanted record.

Avoiding defeat won't be easy for the Welsh, as they take on an Australia side buoyed by last weekend's thrilling 42-37 victory over England at Twickenham, which was the first time the Wallabies have won at that venue since the pool stage of the 2015 Rugby World Cup.

Wales v Australia betting tips and predictions

Australia -6 Handicap - 1/1

It hasn't been the second coming Wales supporters had hoped for since Gatland returned as head coach in December 2022, with the New Zealander winning just six of 22 Tests since retaking the role.

The 61-year-old admitted in June 2023 that he probably wouldn't have come back for a second stint had he known the full scale of problems that rugby faced in the country, and the results since those comments have done little to improve the mood.

Wales haven't won since beating Georgia in the pool stage of the 2023 Rugby World Cup, a tournament they were knocked out of in the quarter-final stage by Argentina.

The Dragons have lost to Scotland, England, Ireland, France, Italy, South Africa, Australia (twice) and Fiji since the World Cup to match the country's worst ever losing run, and it is hard to see them not setting an unwanted record on Sunday.

Australia won both meetings when these two met Down Under in July, recording 25-16 and 36-28 triumphs, and the Wallabies arrive in Cardiff full of confidence after beating England at Twickenham last weekend.

The Aussies claimed the spoils on their last visit to the Principality Stadium in the 2022 Autumn Internationals, edging a tight contest 39-34 to make it nine victories from their last 11 trips to this venue.

Wales, who host reigning world champions South African next weekend in what looks like a daunting task, look devoid of confidence and Australia can ensure the hosts endure another miserable time in Cardiff.

Over 50.5 points - 10/11

Australia head coach Joe Schmidt has struggled to bring about a big defensive improvement since taking charge in January this year, with his side conceding less than 20 points in just two of his 10 matches at the helm.

While there have been failings in defence, the Wallabies' attack has stepped up with 25 or more points scored in six of those contests and they can rack up the points against a weak Welsh side.

Wales have conceded 24 or more points in their last seven Tests and they will find it difficult to nullify the threats that Australia possess.

There have been over 50.5 points in three of Australia's last four fixtures and in three of Wales' last six Tests, while the pair have gone over that mark in four of their last six meetings.

Expect fireworks on Sunday between two sides that have been making mistakes in defence and presenting scoring opportunities to their opponents.

Dewi Lake anytime tryscorer - 9/4

While Wales are expected to lose this contest, that doesn't mean they won't have opportunities to score and one player that looks a value play at 9/4 in the anytime tryscorer market is skipper Dewi Lake.

The 25-year-old hooker has six tries for his country, with the last two coming in the 36-28 defeat to Australia on 13th July, so he has previous against the Wallabies.

Wales have plenty of power in the forwards and, if they can get close to the tryline, it would be no surprise to see Lake bundle his way over from close range to give the hosts something to cheer about.

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Wales v Australia odds

Wales - 21/10
Tie - 20/1
Australia - 2/5

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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.