The five Australian players who could put a dent in Wales' Rugby World Cup hopes
Sunday's Test match between Wales and Australia in Lyon has been billed as a do-or-die clash for the Wallabies.
If Wales come out on top Australia will bow out at the pool stage of the World Cup for the first time in their history. While a defeat would not be terminal for Warren Gatland's side it would still put Wales' chances of reaching the last eight in doubt.
In the wake of their shock defeat to Fiji this Wallabies side has been labelled one of the worst in Australia's history but they still possess plenty of players who could do Wales damage.
Rugby correspondent Steffan Thomas identifies five players who could put a put a major dent in Wales' World Cup hopes.
Mark Nawaqanitawase
The 23-year-old wing has come on leaps and bounds since making his Wallabies debut in their embarrassing defeat to Italy last November. Nawaqanitawase is a livewire with ball in hand and Wales will need no reminding of dangerous he can be, after he crossed for two tries at the Principality Stadium to fire Australia to an unlikely win in Cardiff last year.
The Waratahs star is a deadly finisher and an intelligent footballer, who can spark something out of nothing, while he is also solid defensively and under the high ball.
Samu Kerevi
The powerful centre is a genuine world class player and is the glue of this Wallabies midfield. Kerevi is a force of nature with ball in hand and is Australia's go to man when under pressure.
The Wallabies will undoubtedly use the 29-year-old to get over the gain-line and there will be more reliance on him to do so this weekend given Australia are missing some of their biggest ball carriers in the pack. Read my weekly column in our rugby newsletter
Kerevi is also a very intelligent footballer with a smart passing game while he typically makes good reads in defence. If Wales can contain the Suntory Sungoliath centre then it'll go some way to winning this Test match.
Angus Bell
The 22-year-old is one of the best up and coming loosehead props in world rugby. Bell is a very good scrummager but it's his work around the park which catches the eye.
The Waratahs star is an extremely dynamic and aggressive carrier who is often seen scattering defence when he hits the ball at pace. During Australia's narrow Bledisloe Cup loss to New Zealand in Dunedin in the summer Bell charged through All Blacks hooker Samisoni Taukei'aho, and lock Brodie Retallick like they weren't there.
His offloading game is also very dangerous so Wales will be very keen to stop his momentum because he is not only adept at bumping off defenders but keeping the ball alive.
Marika Koroibete
If all the best rugby pundits in the wrote down their world XV the probability is Koroibete would make most of them. The 31-year-old is a phenomenal athlete who is a force of nature when running at full steam ahead.
If Wales allow Australia space on the outside then Koroibete could wreak havoc in the wide channels with his physicality and his pace. But what's sets him apart is his athleticism and while he is perfectly capable of running through defenders, some of his acrobatic finishing is a sight to behold.
Fraser McReight
The 24-year-old openside flanker has a hard act to follow given the likes of George Smith, Phil Waugh, David Pocock, and Michael Hooper have won the Australia number seven shirt before him. But such is the faith Eddie Jones has in the Queensland Reds star to perform at this World Cup he left the experienced Hooper at home.
McReight may not have reached the heights of Hooper or Pocock yet but he is an industrious openside who is adept at slowing down opposition ball at the breakdown, and winning turnovers while he is also very good defensively. Wales will need to deal with McReight because if Australia succeed in winning quick ruck ball they have the backs to cause carnage.
