2012 Wales rugby union tour of Australia

2012 Wales rugby union tour of Australia
Coach(es)Rob Howley
Tour captain(s)Sam Warburton
Top point scorer(s)Leigh Halfpenny (41)
Top try scorer(s)10 players with 1 try
Top test point scorer(s)Leigh Halfpenny (41)
Top test try scorer(s)7 players with 1 try
Summary
P W D L
Total
5 2 0 3
Test match
4 1 0 3
Opponent
P W D L
 Australia
3 0 0 3
Barbarians
1 1 0 0
Tour chronology
Previous tour2010 New Zealand
Next tourJapan 2013

In June 2012, Wales toured Australia as part of the 2012 mid-year rugby test series. They faced Australia in a series of three internationals across the eastern states, starting at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, then moving on to Etihad Stadium in Melbourne, before finishing in Sydney at the Sydney Football Stadium. In addition, they played a tour match against one of Australia's domestic clubs, the Brumbies, at Canberra Stadium.

Before flying to Australia, Wales also held a one-off match at home so that Rob Howley, the caretaker coach, could finalise the squad. This was held at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff against the Barbarians.

During this tour, Wales were attempting to regain the James Bevan Trophy they lost in 2009, when Australia beat them 33–12 in Cardiff. They had won it the previous year, 21–18. However, the last time Wales beat Australia in Australia was in 1969, when they won 19–16.

This tour was the most keenly anticipated rugby tour of the 2012 tours, with Wales going into it as Grand Slam winners of the 2012 Six Nations and Australia as winners of the 2011 Tri Nations.

Wales lost the series 3–0, continuing their history of not having won in Australia for 43 years. However, all matches were close encounters, and they scored 61 points to Australia's 72. They also played a return match in Cardiff in the 2012 Autumn Internationals that ended in a similar narrow defeat, 14–12.

In the last three matches between the two teams, Wales led with five minutes to go and Australia snatched victory from them.

Fixtures

Date Venue Home Score Away
2 June 2012 Millennium Stadium, Cardiff  Wales 30–21 Barbarians
9 June 2012 Lang Park, Brisbane  Australia 27–19  Wales
12 June 2012 Canberra Stadium, Canberra ACT Brumbies 15–25  Wales
16 June 2012 Docklands Stadium, Melbourne  Australia 25–23  Wales
23 June 2012 Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney  Australia 20–19  Wales

Squads

Wales

Towards the end of May, the bulk of the Welsh squad left for Australia, leaving a handful of players to face the Barbarians. After Wales' win over the Barbarians, the few players who had earned their place in the squad during the game left for Australia to join up with the team. Caretaker coach Rob Howley announced a 35-man squad to take to Australia.

Note: Flags indicate national union for the club/province as defined by World Rugby.

Player Position Date of birth (age) Caps Club/province
Richard Hibbard Hooker (1983-12-13)13 December 1983 (aged 28) 16 Ospreys
Ken Owens Hooker (1987-01-03)3 January 1987 (aged 25) 5 Scarlets
Matthew Rees Hooker (1980-12-09)9 December 1980 (aged 31) 51 Scarlets
Rhys Gill Prop (1986-10-30)30 October 1986 (aged 25) 3 Saracens
Paul James Prop (1982-05-13)13 May 1982 (aged 30) 35 Ospreys
Gethin Jenkins Prop (1980-11-17)17 November 1980 (aged 31) 87 Cardiff Blues
Adam Jones Prop (1981-03-08)8 March 1981 (aged 31) 80 Ospreys
Rhodri Jones Prop (1991-12-23)23 December 1991 (aged 20) 1 Scarlets
Luke Charteris Lock (1983-03-09)9 March 1983 (aged 29) 34 Newport Gwent Dragons
Bradley Davies Lock (1987-01-09)9 January 1987 (aged 25) 33 Cardiff Blues
Ian Evans Lock (1984-10-04)4 October 1984 (aged 27) 23 Ospreys
Alun Wyn Jones Lock (1985-09-19)19 September 1985 (aged 26) 63 Ospreys
Dan Lydiate Flanker (1987-12-18)18 December 1987 (aged 24) 24 Newport Gwent Dragons
Aaron Shingler Flanker (1987-08-07)7 August 1987 (aged 24) 2 Scarlets
Justin Tipuric Flanker (1989-08-06)6 August 1989 (aged 22) 5 Ospreys
Josh Turnbull Flanker (1988-03-12)12 March 1988 (aged 24) 4 Scarlets
Sam Warburton (c) Flanker (1988-10-05)5 October 1988 (aged 23) 27 Cardiff Blues
Gareth Delve Number 8 (1982-12-30)30 December 1982 (aged 29) 11 Melbourne Rebels
Taulupe Faletau Number 8 (1990-11-12)12 November 1990 (aged 21) 16 Newport Gwent Dragons
Ryan Jones Number 8 (1981-03-13)13 March 1981 (aged 31) 64 Ospreys
Mike Phillips Scrum-half (1982-08-29)29 August 1982 (aged 29) 65 Bayonne
Rhys Webb Scrum-half (1988-12-09)9 December 1988 (aged 23) 2 Ospreys
Lloyd Williams Scrum-half (1989-11-30)30 November 1989 (aged 22) 8 Cardiff Blues
James Hook Fly-half (1985-06-27)27 June 1985 (aged 26) 63 Perpignan
Rhys Priestland Fly-half (1987-01-09)9 January 1987 (aged 25) 15 Scarlets
Ashley Beck Centre (1990-04-15)15 April 1990 (aged 22) 0 Ospreys
Andrew Bishop Centre (1985-08-07)7 August 1985 (aged 26) 16 Ospreys
Jonathan Davies Centre (1988-04-05)5 April 1988 (aged 24) 26 Scarlets
Scott Williams Centre (1990-10-10)10 October 1990 (aged 21) 12 Scarlets
Aled Brew Wing (1986-08-09)9 August 1986 (aged 25) 9 Newport Gwent Dragons
Alex Cuthbert Wing (1990-04-05)5 April 1990 (aged 22) 6 Cardiff Blues
George North Wing (1992-04-13)13 April 1992 (aged 20) 21 Scarlets
Harry Robinson Wing (1993-04-16)16 April 1993 (aged 19) 1 Cardiff Blues
Leigh Halfpenny Fullback (1988-12-22)22 December 1988 (aged 23) 32 Cardiff Blues
Liam Williams Fullback (1991-04-09)9 April 1991 (aged 21) 1 Scarlets

Australia

Robbie Deans announced his squad to face Wales at the beginning of June. The public already knew that James O'Connor, Kurtley Beale and usual captain James Horwill would all be out of the tour due to injury. From this, Robbie Deans was able to announce his 40-man squad. On 19 June, it was revealed that Beale would return for the third and final test against Wales.

Head coach: Robbie Deans

Player Position Date of birth (age) Caps Club/province
Saia Fainga'a Hooker (1987-02-02)2 February 1987 (aged 25) 16 Reds
Stephen Moore Hooker (1983-01-20)20 January 1983 (aged 29) 69 Brumbies
Tatafu Polota-Nau Hooker (1985-07-26)26 July 1985 (aged 26) 34 Waratahs
Ben Alexander Prop (1984-11-13)13 November 1984 (aged 27) 39 Brumbies
Sekope Kepu Prop (1986-02-05)5 February 1986 (aged 26) 16 Western Force
Salesi Ma'afu Prop (1983-03-26)26 March 1983 (aged 29) 14 Western Force
Dan Palmer Prop (1988-09-13)13 September 1988 (aged 23) 1 Brumbies
Benn Robinson Prop (1984-07-19)19 July 1984 (aged 27) 44 Waratahs
James Slipper Prop (1989-06-06)6 June 1989 (aged 23) 23 Reds
Kane Douglas Lock (1989-06-01)1 June 1989 (aged 23) 0 Waratahs
Cadeyrn Neville Lock (1988-11-09)9 November 1988 (aged 23) 0 Melbourne Rebels
Hugh Pyle Lock (1988-09-21)21 September 1988 (aged 23) 0 Melbourne Rebels
Nathan Sharpe Lock (1978-02-26)26 February 1978 (aged 34) 104 Western Force
Rob Simmons Lock (1989-04-19)19 April 1989 (aged 23) 19 Reds
Sitaleki Timani Lock (1986-09-19)19 September 1986 (aged 25) 2 Waratahs
Dave Dennis Flanker (1986-01-10)10 January 1986 (aged 26) 3 Waratahs
Scott Higginbotham Flanker (1986-09-05)5 September 1986 (aged 25) 14 Reds
Michael Hooper Flanker (1990-03-24)24 March 1990 (aged 22) 2 Brumbies
David Pocock (c) Flanker (1988-04-23)23 April 1988 (aged 24) 43 Western Force
Ben McCalman Number 8 (1988-03-18)18 March 1988 (aged 24) 21 Western Force
Ben Mowen Number 8 (1984-12-01)1 December 1984 (aged 27) 0 Brumbies
Wycliff Palu Number 8 (1982-07-27)27 July 1982 (aged 29) 40 Waratahs
Will Genia Scrum-half (1988-01-17)17 January 1988 (aged 24) 37 Reds
Nick Phipps Scrum-half (1989-01-09)9 January 1989 (aged 23) 3 Melbourne Rebels
Nic White Scrum-half (1990-06-13)13 June 1990 (aged 21) 0 Brumbies
Berrick Barnes Fly-half (1986-05-28)28 May 1986 (aged 26) 40 Waratahs
Quade Cooper Fly-half (1988-04-05)5 April 1988 (aged 24) 35 Queensland Reds
Bernard Foley Fly-half (1989-09-08)8 September 1989 (aged 22) 0 Waratahs
Anthony Fainga'a Centre (1987-02-02)2 February 1987 (aged 25) 17 Reds
Mike Harris Centre (1988-07-08)8 July 1988 (aged 23) 2 Reds
Rob Horne Centre (1989-08-15)15 August 1989 (aged 22) 11 Waratahs
Pat McCabe Centre (1988-03-21)21 March 1988 (aged 24) 13 Brumbies
Digby Ioane Wing (1985-07-14)14 July 1985 (aged 26) 24 Reds
Dom Shipperley Wing (1991-10-16)16 October 1991 (aged 20) 0 Reds
Joe Tomane Wing (1990-02-02)2 February 1990 (aged 22) 1 Brumbies
Cooper Vuna Wing (1987-07-05)5 July 1987 (aged 24) 2 Melbourne Rebels
Adam Ashley-Cooper Fullback (1984-03-27)27 March 1984 (aged 28) 66 Waratahs
Kurtley Beale Fullback (1989-01-06)6 January 1989 (aged 23) 24 Melbourne Rebels
Jesse Mogg Fullback (1989-06-08)8 June 1989 (aged 23) 0 Brumbies
Luke Morahan Fullback (1991-08-28)28 August 1991 (aged 20) 1 Reds

Warm-up matches

Wales vs Barbarians

2 June 2012
14:00 BST (UTC+01)
Wales 30–21Barbarians
Try: Robinson 10' c
Hook 71' c
Brew 79' c
Con: Hook (3/3) 11', 72', 80'
Pen: Hook (3/3) 4', 25', 51'		Report[1]Try: Donald (2) 27' c, 59' c
Rees 36' c
Con: Donald (3/3) 28', 37', 60'
Millennium Stadium, Cardiff
Attendance: 57,565
Referee: Alain Rolland (Ireland)
FB 15 Liam Williams
RW 14 Harry Robinson  35'  44'  68'
OC 13 Andrew Bishop
IC 12 James Hook
LW 11 Aled Brew
FH 10 Dan Biggar  64'
SH 9 Lloyd Williams  51'
N8 8 Ryan Jones  51'
OF 7 Justin Tipuric
BF 6 Josh Turnbull
RL 5 Ian Evans
LL 4 Alun Wyn Jones  45'
TP 3 Rhodri Jones  44'
HK 2 Matthew Rees (c)  68'
LP 1 Rhys Gill  34'
Replacements:
HK 16 Richard Hibbard  68'
PR 17 Paul James  35'
LK 18 Aaron Shingler  51'
FL 19 Martyn Williams  45'
SH 20 Rhys Webb  51'
CE 21 Adam Warren  64'
FB 22 Will Harries  68'
Coach:
Rob Howley
FB 15 Mils Muliaina  66'
RW 14 Isa Nacewa
OC 13 Mike Tindall  46'
IC 12 Casey Laulala
LW 11 Shane Williams
FH 10 Stephen Donald
SH 9 Richie Rees  56'
N8 8 Johnnie Beattie
OF 7 Mamuka Gorgodze  56'
BF 6 Francois Louw
RL 5 Mark Chisholm
LL 4 Mick O'Driscoll  40'
TP 3 John Smit (c)  46'
HK 2 Benoît August  40'
LP 1 Duncan Jones
Replacements:
HK 16 Aled de Malmanche  40'
PR 17 Neemia Tialata  46'
LK 18 Anton van Zyl  40'
N8 19 Akapusi Qera  56'
SH 20 Rory Lawson  56'
WG 21 Sailosi Tagicakibau  46'
FB 22 Cédric Heymans  66'
Coach:
John Kirwan

ACT Brumbies vs Wales

12 June 2012
19:30 AEST (UTC+10)
ACT Brumbies 15–25 Wales
Pen: Holmes (5/6) 10', 38', 56', 62', 66'Report[3]Try: Hook 19' c
Tipuric 31' c
A.W. Jones 40' m
Con: Hook (2/3) 20', 32'
Pen: Hook (2/2) 69', 76'
Canberra Stadium, Canberra
Attendance: 8,000
Referee: Ian Smith (Australia)
FB 15 Robbie Coleman  54'
RW 14 Cam Crawford
OC 13 Tevita Kuridrani
IC 12 Andrew Smith
LW 11 Kimami Sitauti
FH 10 Zack Holmes
SH 9 Ian Prior  31'
N8 8 Ita Vaea  52'
OF 7 Colby Faingaa
BF 6 Peter Kimlin
RL 5 Ben Hand (c)
LL 4 Leon Power  52'
TP 3 Scott Sio  31'
HK 2 Anthony Hegarty
LP 1 Ruaidhri Murphy
Replacements:
HK 16 Siliva Siliva
PR 17 JP Pradaud  31'
LK 18 Dylan Sigg  52'
LK 19 Fotu Auelua  52'
SH 20 Beau Mokoputo  31'
FH 21 Tom Cox  54'
WG 22 Jesse Mogg
Coach:
Jake White
FB 15 Liam Williams
RW 14 Harry Robinson
OC 13 Andrew Bishop
IC 12 Ashley Beck
LW 11 Aled Brew  40'
FH 10 James Hook
SH 9 Rhys Webb
N8 8 Aaron Shingler  30'
OF 7 Justin Tipuric
BF 6 Josh Turnbull
RL 5 Luke Charteris
LL 4 Alun Wyn Jones (c)  40'
TP 3 Rhodri Jones
HK 2 Richard Hibbard  71'
LP 1 Paul James  45'
Replacements:
HK 16 Ken Owens  71'
PR 17 Rhys Gill  45'
LK 18 Ian Evans  40'
N8 19 Gareth Delve  30'
SH 20 Lloyd Williams  62'
FH 21 Rhys Priestland
WG 22 Alex Cuthbert  40'  62'
Coach:
Rob Howley

Touch judges:
Andrew Lees (Australia)
Will Houston (Australia)

Test matches

First test

9 June 2012
20:00 AEST (UTC+10)
Australia 27–19 Wales
Try: Higginbotham 14' c
Gregan 40' c
McCabe 66' c
Con: Barnes (3/3) 15', 42', 67'
Pen: Barnes (1/3) 8'
Drop: Barnes (1/1) 49'		Report[4]Try: Cuthbert 57' c
Con: Halfpenny (1/1) 59'
Pen: Halfpenny (4/4) 21', 45', 55', 62'
Lang Park, Brisbane
Attendance: 43,000
Referee: Craig Joubert (South Africa)
FB 15 Adam Ashley-Cooper
RW 14 Digby Ioane  71'
OC 13 Cooper Vuna  50'
IC 12 Pat McCabe
LW 11 Lote Tuqiri
FH 10 Berrick Barnes
SH 9 Matt Giteau
N8 8 Wycliff Palu  58'
OF 7 David Pocock (c)  55'
BF 6 Scott Higginbotham
RL 5 Dan Vickerman  64'
LL 4 Nathan Sharpe
TP 3 Guy Shepherdson  38'
HK 2 Stephen Moore  55'
LP 1 Benn Robinson  58'
Replacements:
HK 16 Adam Freier  55'
PR 17 Matt Dunning  58'
LK 18 Dave Dennis  64'
FL 19 Michael Hooper  58'
SH 20 Phil Waugh
CE 21 George Gregan  50'  55'  71'
CE 22 Anthony Fainga'a
Coach:
Robbie Deans
FB 15 Leigh Halfpenny
RW 14 Alex Cuthbert
OC 13 Jonathan Davies
IC 12 Scott Williams  55'
LW 11 George North  28'
FH 10 Rhys Priestland
SH 9 Mike Phillips
N8 8 Taulupe Faletau  51'
OF 7 Sam Warburton (c)
BF 6 Dan Lydiate
RL 5 Luke Charteris  51'
LL 4 Bradley Davies
TP 3 Adam Jones  75'
HK 2 Ken Owens  51'
LP 1 Gethin Jenkins
Replacements:
HK 16 Matthew Rees  51'
PR 17 Paul James  75'
LK 18 Alun Wyn Jones  51'
N8 19 Ryan Jones  51'
SH 20 Lloyd Williams
FH 21 James Hook  28'
CE 22 Ashley Beck  55'
Coach:
Rob Howley

Touch judges:
Keith Brown (New Zealand)
Garratt Williamson (New Zealand)
Television match official:
Vinny Munro (New Zealand)

Notes

Second test

16 June 2012
20:00 AEST (UTC+10)
Australia 25–23 Wales
Try: Horne 38' c
Con: Barnes (1/1) 39'
Pen: Barnes (5/6) 19', 29', 47', 58', 64'
Harris (1/1) 80'		Report[5]Try: North 4' c
Davies 43' c
Con: Halfpenny (2/2) 3', 44'
Pen: Halfpenny (3/3) 49', 60', 66'
Docklands Stadium, Melbourne
Attendance: 33,880
Referee: Chris Pollock (New Zealand)
FB 15 Adam Ashley-Cooper
RW 14 Cooper Vuna  59'  70'
OC 13 Morgan Turinui
IC 12 Pat McCabe
LW 11 Lote Tuqiri
FH 10 Berrick Barnes  72'
SH 9 George Gregan (c)
N8 8 Wycliff Palu  54'
OF 7 Phil Waugh
BF 6 Scott Higginbotham
RL 5 David Giffin
LL 4 Nathan Sharpe  69'
TP 3 Patricio Noriega  52'
HK 2 Jeremy Paul  50'
LP 1 Bill Young  64'
Replacements:
HK 16 Stephen Moore  50'
PR 17 Al Baxter  64'
LK 18 Dave Dennis  54'
FL 19 Michael Hooper  69'
SH 20 Nic White
CE 21 Anthony Fainga'a  70'
CE 22 Mike Harris  72'
Coach:
Robbie Deans
FB 15 Leigh Halfpenny
RW 14 Alex Cuthbert
OC 13 Jonathan Davies
IC 12 Ashley Beck
LW 11 George North
FH 10 Rhys Priestland
SH 9 Mike Phillips  65'
N8 8 Ryan Jones
OF 7 Sam Warburton (c)
BF 6 Dan Lydiate
RL 5 Alun Wyn Jones  67'
LL 4 Bradley Davies
TP 3 Adam Jones
HK 2 Matthew Rees  66'
LP 1 Gethin Jenkins
Replacements:
HK 16 Richard Hibbard  66'
PR 17 Paul James
LK 18 Luke Charteris  67'
FL 19 Justin Tipuric
SH 20 Rhys Webb  65'
FH 21 James Hook
CE 22 Scott Williams
Coach:
Rob Howley

Touch judges:
Craig Joubert (South Africa)
Garratt Williamson (New Zealand)
Television match official:
Vinny Munro (New Zealand)

Third test

23 June 2012
15:00 AEST (UTC+10)
Australia 20–19 Wales
Try: Horne 64' m
Pen: Barnes (5/5) 3', 9', 16', 38', 74'		Report[6]Try: R. Jones 60' c
Con: Halfpenny (1/1) 61'
Pen: Halfpenny (4/5) 7', 13', 24', 70'
Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney
Attendance: 42,889
Referee: Craig Joubert (South Africa)
FB 15 Kurtley Beale
RW 14 Adam Ashley-Cooper
OC 13 Rob Horne
IC 12 Pat McCabe  34'
LW 11 Digby Ioane
FH 10 Berrick Barnes
SH 9 George Gregan (c)
N8 8 Wycliff Palu
OF 7 Phil Waugh
BF 6 Scott Higginbotham  56'
RL 5 Nathan Sharpe
LL 4 Justin Harrison  72'
TP 3 Al Baxter  56'
HK 2 Tatafu Polota-Nau  56'
LP 1 Benn Robinson
Replacements:
HK 16 Stephen Moore  56'
PR 17 Ben Alexander  56'
LK 18 Rob Simmons  72'
LK 19 Dave Dennis  56'
FL 20 Michael Hooper
SH 21 Nic White
CE 22 Anthony Fainga'a  34'
Coach:
Robbie Deans
FB 15 Leigh Halfpenny
RW 14 Alex Cuthbert
OC 13 Jonathan Davies
IC 12 Ashley Beck  65'
LW 11 George North
FH 10 Rhys Priestland  69'
SH 9 Mike Phillips
N8 8 Ryan Jones  49'  56'
OF 7 Sam Warburton (c)  28'
BF 6 Dan Lydiate
RL 5 Alun Wyn Jones  65'
LL 4 Bradley Davies
TP 3 Adam Jones
HK 2 Matthew Rees  65'
LP 1 Gethin Jenkins  40'
Replacements:
HK 16 Ken Owens  65'
PR 17 Paul James  40'
LK 18 Luke Charteris  49'  56'  65'
FL 19 Justin Tipuric  28'
SH 20 Rhys Webb
FH 21 James Hook  69'
CE 22 Scott Williams  65'
Coach:
Rob Howley

See also

References

  1. ^ "Wales 30-21 Barbarians". BBC. 2 June 2012. Retrieved 14 September 2017.
  2. ^ Gillespie, Graeme (8 May 2012). "Williams Set to Reach 100 Caps". Welsh Rugby Union. Retrieved 11 May 2012.
  3. ^ "Planet Rugby - Reports and Previews - Wales hang on in Canberra". 6 January 2014. Archived from the original on 6 January 2014. Retrieved 14 September 2017.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  4. ^ "Planet Rugby | Reports and Previews | Australia bounce back in Brisbane". planetrugby.com. 9 June 2012. Archived from the original on 10 June 2012.
  5. ^ "Planet Rugby | Reports and Previews | Harris wins it for Wallabies". planetrugby.com. 16 June 2012. Archived from the original on 19 June 2012.
  6. ^ "Planet Rugby | Rugby Union News, Live Rugby Scores, Results & Fixtures | LIVE: Australia v Wales". planetrugby.com. 23 June 2012. Archived from the original on 26 June 2012.
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