RECAP: Wales v Australia

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to the World Cup pool match between Wales and Australia in Tokyo.

History-making Wales captain Alun Wyn Jones admitted that blood had been spilt as training boiled over ahead of his team’s highly-anticipated Pool D blockbuster with Australia on Sunday.

*To read match report, CLICK HERE! 

Both teams opened their campaign in Japan with victories, Australia beating Fiji 39-21 and Six Nations champions Wales running out 43-14 winners over Georgia.

Fiji then suffered a surprise 30-27 defeat by minnows Uruguay, meaning this match will likely decide the winners and runners-up of the pool.

Prediction: Even the bookmakers are finding it tough to separate these two teams and it might well finish inside a one-score margin. We are giving it to Wales by three points.

* To read our full preview, CLICK HERE!

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Teams:

Wales: 15 Liam Williams, 14 George North, 13 Jonathan Davies, 12 Hadleigh Parkes, 11 Josh Adams, 10 Dan Biggar, 9 Gareth Davies, 8 Josh Navidi, 7 Justin Tipuric, 6 Aaron Wainwright, 5 Alun Wyn Jones (captain), 4 Jake Ball, 3 Tomas Francis, 2 Ken Owens, 1 Wyn Jones.

Replacements: 16 Elliot Dee, 17 Nicky Smith, 18 Dillon Lewis, 19 Aaron Shingler, 20 Ross Moriarty, 21 Tomos Williams, 22 Rhys Patchell, 23 Owen Watkin.

Australia: 15 Dane Haylett-Petty, 14 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 13 James O’Connor, 12 Samu Kerevi, 11 Marika Koroibete, 10 Bernard Foley, 9 Will Genia, 8 Isi Naisarani, 7 Michael Hooper (captain), 6 David Pocock, 5 Rory Arnold, 4 Izack Rodda, 3 Allan Alaalatoa, 2 Tolu Latu, 1 Scott Sio.

Replacements: 16 Jordan Uelese, 17 James Slipper, 18 Sekope Kepu, 19 Adam Coleman, 20 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 21 Nic White, 22 Matt Toomua, 23 Kurtley Beale.

Date: Sunday, September 29

Venue: Tokyo Stadium, Tokyo

Kick-off: 16.45 (17.45 AEST; 08.45 UK time; 07.45 GMT)

Expected weather: Humid, with a passing morning shower, then times of clouds and sun. High of 28°C, with a low of 22°C

Referee: Romain Poite (France)

Assistant referees: Luke Pearce (England), Karl Dickson (England)

TMO: Ben Skeen (New Zealand)