Australia expect Bernard Foley and Will Genia to return to face Wales
Sunday 5 November 2017 08:53, UK
Australia expect fly-half Bernard Foley and scrum-half Will Genia to be available for next week's Test match against Wales at the Principality Stadium.
The star half-back combination missed the nine-try rout of Japan on Saturday through illness and a calf strain respectively.
Coach Michael Cheika rejigged his backline for the international and was pleased overall with what his makeshift side produced in the 63-30 victory in Yokohama.
"We had moments that were really good and moments that were less effective but we've had a huge week where we've lost players and we've travelled overseas to a new place," Cheika said.
"We managed the first part of the game really well, which got us into a position where we could try some new combinations so it was a good entree into the rest of the tour."
Rugby league convert Karmichael Hunt, who provides Cheika with an option at full-back in place of the rested Israel Folau, is also expected to be available to face Wales in Cardiff after missing the Japan triumph with a neck injury.
With Hunt unavailable Cheika had to use Kurtley Beale in the number 15 shirt and give a first Test start at fly-half to three-quarter Reece Hodge.
"I thought Japan tested him with line speed many times and he made some good decisions," Cheika said of the 23-year-old, who converted all nine tries.
"Still a long way to go, but a great start for him in that number 10 jersey. I was very happy with his game."
The Wallabies have beaten Wales in their last 12 meetings going back to 2009 and will again face Warren Gatland's men in the pool stage of the 2019 World Cup in Japan.
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Australia travel to Twickenham to face England on November 18, live on Sky Sports, ahead of a trip to Murrayfield to play Scotland the following weekend.
