2007 Wales rugby union tour of Australia

March 2014 March 2014 2007 mid-year rugby union tests Wales 2007 Gareth Jenkins Gareth Thomas 2 0 0 2 2 0 0 2 AUS 2 0 0 2 Argentina 2006 South Africa 2008 The Wales national rugby union team toured Australia in May and June 2007, playing two tests against the Australia national team as part of their preparation for the 2007 Rugby World Cup. They lost the first test in Sydney 29–23 before being shut out in the second, losing 31–0 in Brisbane, and Australia claimed the newly inaugurated James Bevan Trophy with a 2–0 series win. Fixtures As part of their preparations for the 2007 Rugby World Cup, Wales scheduled two test matches against Australia, one of their opponents in Pool B of the tournament.Wales announce World Cup warm-ups https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/welsh/6059554.stm BBC Sport 17 October 2006 3 May 2024 They would play for the James Bevan Trophy, which was commissioned by International Business Wales (IBW), the economic arm of the Welsh Assembly government, to commemorate James Bevan, a rugby player who was born in Australia to a Welsh father and who returned to Great Britain before becoming the first captain of the Wales rugby union team.New trophy for Wales v Australia https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/welsh/6643203.stm BBC Sport 10 May 2007 3 May 2024 The first test was scheduled to be played at Stadium Australia in Sydney on 26 May 2007, while the second would be played at Lang Park in Brisbane a week later, on 2 June 2007. Australia won the first test 29–23, before claiming the second 31–0. Date Venue Home Score Away26 May 2007Stadium Australia, SydneyAUS29–23WAL2 June 2007Lang Park, BrisbaneAUS31–0WAL Squads Wales Wales coach Gareth Jenkins named an initial 28-man squad for the tour of Australia on 30 April 2007. Centre Gavin Henson was included despite a knee injury having kept him out since January, while wing Dafydd James, prop Iestyn Thomas and versatile forward Michael Owen also returned to the international fold after absences. Flanker Robin Sowden-Taylor, who suffered a broken and dislocated ankle in September 2006, recovered in time to be selected. Sixteen senior players were left out, taking part in a home summer training camp instead, leaving room for the uncapped pair of prop Ceri Jones and lock/back rower Scott Morgan in the squad.Henson handed Wales tour chance https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/welsh/6608043.stm BBC Sport 30 April 2007 2 May 2024 Captain Gareth Thomas was the subject of a club-versus-country battle following his selection; while the Welsh Rugby Union claimed that the tour was IRB-sanctioned and that they had first option on Thomas's availability, his club Toulouse were insistent that he honour his contract with them and finish the 2006–07 Top 14 season.Thomas sure of making Wales tour https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/welsh/6582065.stm BBC Sport 9 May 2007 31 May 2024 On legal advice, he joined up with the Wales squad on tour, but hoped that he would be able to return to France for a potential play-off final at the Stade de France on 12 June;Gareth Roberts Thomas wants it all https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2007/may/20/rugbyunion.news The Guardian 20 May 2007 31 May 2024 however, Toulouse were eliminated in the semi-finals by Clermont. On 9 May, uncapped prop Jamie Corsi and veteran centre Sonny Parker were called up to replace the injured Rhys Thomas (ankle) and Dafydd James (knee).Parker and Corsi called up for Oz https://www.wru.wales/2007/05/parker-and-corsi-called-up-for-oz/ Welsh Rugby Union 9 May 2007 2 May 2024 Wing Hal Luscombe also pulled out for personal reasons, and was replaced a week later by the uncapped Tom James; hookers Matthew Rees and Gareth Williams were also added to the squad after Mefin Davies (rib) and Huw Bennett (neck) suffered injuries.Wales send for Blues flyer James https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/welsh/6632415.stm BBC Sport 14 May 2007 2 May 2024 Rees joined the tour on the condition that he would be allowed to return home after the first test in order to be present for the birth of his first child.Rees to fly home after first Test https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/welsh/6674735.stm BBC Sport 20 May 2007 3 May 2024 The Dragons players in the squad flew out to Australia later than the rest of the group due to the Dragons' involvement in a qualification play-off for the 2007–08 Heineken Cup on 18 May,Dragons' play-off boost for Wales https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/my_club/ng_dragons/6634447.stm BBC Sport 8 May 2007 3 May 2024 as did Bath scrum-half Andy Williams. Wing Aled Brew was not considered for the first test due to a ligament injury, while Gareth Williams tore a calf muscle in training, leaving Hibbard and Rees as the two hookers available for the first test; Mefin Davies recovered from his rib injury in time to fly out for the second test in place of Williams, while Steve Jones took the place of the departing Rees.Thomas heads up experienced Wales https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/welsh/6681181.stm BBC Sport 23 May 2007 3 May 2024 Prop Adam Jones also suffered a torn calf in training, ruling him out of the second test; he was replaced by Chris Horsman, who went straight onto the bench as Corsi was also carrying an injury.Prop Jones to miss Brisbane Test https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/welsh/6701439.stm BBC Sport 31 May 2007 3 May 2024 Name Position Club Caps Notes Huw Bennett Hooker Ospreys 11 Withdrew due to injury Mefin Davies Hooker Leicester Tigers 37 Withdrew due to injury; returned to squad to replace Matthew Rees Richard Hibbard Hooker Ospreys 2 Steve Jones rugby union, born 1977 Hooker Newport Gwent Dragons 5 Replacement for Gareth Williams Matthew Rees Hooker Llanelli Scarlets 10 Replacement for Huw Bennett; left squad for personal reasons after first test Gareth Williams rugby union, born 1978 Hooker Cardiff Blues 5 Replacement for Mefin Davies; withdrew due to injury Jamie Corsi Prop Newport Gwent Dragons 0 Replacement for Rhys Thomas Chris Horsman Prop Worcester Warriors 9 Replacement for Adam Jones Adam Jones rugby union, born 1981 Prop Ospreys 40 Withdrew due to injury Ceri Jones Prop Harlequins 0 Iestyn Thomas Prop Llanelli Scarlets 30 Rhys Thomas Rhys M. Thomas Prop Newport Gwent Dragons 1 Withdrew due to injury Brent Cockbain Lock Ospreys 23 Robert Sidoli Lock Cardiff Blues 39 Colin Charvis Back row Newport Gwent Dragons 84 Scott Morgan rugby union Back row Cardiff Blues 0 Michael Owen rugby union Back row Newport Gwent Dragons 34 Robin Sowden-Taylor Back row Cardiff Blues 3 Gavin Thomas Back row Llanelli Scarlets 20 Jonathan Thomas Back row Ospreys 32 Gareth Cooper Scrum-half Newport Gwent Dragons 32 Mike Phillips rugby union Scrum-half Cardiff Blues 20 Andy Williams rugby union Scrum-half Bath 4 James Hook rugby union Fly-half Ospreys 11 Ceri Sweeney Fly-half Newport Gwent Dragons 30 Gavin Henson Centre Ospreys 20 Sonny Parker rugby union Centre Ospreys 21 Replacement for Dafydd James Jamie Robinson rugby union Centre Cardiff Blues 18 Gareth Thomas rugby, born 1974 Centre Toulouse 92 Captain Aled Brew Wing Newport Gwent Dragons 1 Chris Czekaj Wing Cardiff Blues 4 Dafydd James Wing Llanelli Scarlets 45 Withdrew due to injury Tom James rugby union, born 1987 Wing Cardiff Blues 0 Replacement for Hal Luscombe Hal Luscombe Wing Harlequins 16 Withdrew for personal reasons Lee Byrne Full-back Ospreys 12 Sources: Wales announce Touring Squad https://www.wru.wales/2007/04/wales-announce-touring-squad/ Welsh Rugby Union 30 April 2007 3 May 2024 Parker and Corsi called up for Oz https://www.wru.wales/2007/05/parker-and-corsi-called-up-for-oz/ Welsh Rugby Union 9 May 2007 3 May 2024 James, Williams and Rees join tour https://www.wru.wales/2007/05/james-williams-and-rees-join-tour/ Welsh Rugby Union 15 May 2007 3 May 2024 Williams out, Davies and Jones fly in https://www.wru.wales/2007/05/williams-out-davies-and-jones-fly-in/ Welsh Rugby Union 23 May 2007 3 May 2024 Horsman flies out https://www.wru.wales/2007/05/horsman-flies-out/ Welsh Rugby Union 31 May 2007 3 May 2024 Australia The Australian Rugby Union named an initial joint training squad of 59 on 7 May 2007 for the Wallabies and Australia A teams' mid-year fixtures.Wallabies train-on squad named https://www.abc.net.au/news/2007-05-07/wallabies-train-on-squad-named/2541154 Australian Broadcasting Corporation 7 May 2007 3 May 2024 This was reduced to 37 on 13 May for a three-day training camp in Sydney the following week,Wallabies cut Paul for Wales test https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/6651845.stm BBC Sport 13 May 2007 3 May 2024 before a final cut to 30 players on 20 May for the Wales tests; flanker Phil Waugh and centre Stirling Mortlock were named as joint captains, and there were four uncapped players in the squad: James Horwill, Julian Huxley, Digby Ioane and Sam Norton-Knight.Wallabies to have joint captains https://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/rugby/arid-30311436.html Irish Examiner 20 May 2007 3 May 2024 Wing Lote Tuqiri was ruled out of the tests against Wales in favour of an intensive training programme.Wallaby Tuqiri out of Wales Tests https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/6666383.stm BBC Sport 17 May 2007 3 May 2024 Name Position Club Notes Adam Freier Hooker NSW Waratahs Stephen Moore rugby union Hooker Queensland Reds Al Baxter Prop NSW Waratahs Matt Dunning Prop NSW Waratahs Benn Robinson Prop NSW Waratahs Guy Shepherdson Prop ACT Brumbies Mark Chisholm Lock ACT Brumbies James Horwill Lock Queensland Reds Nathan Sharpe Lock Western Force Dan Vickerman Lock NSW Waratahs Rocky Elsom Back row NSW Waratahs Stephen Hoiles Back row ACT Brumbies David Lyons rugby union, born 1980 Back row NSW Waratahs Hugh McMeniman Back row Queensland Reds Wycliff Palu Back row NSW Waratahs George Smith rugby union Back row ACT Brumbies Phil Waugh Back row NSW Waratahs Captain George Gregan Scrum-half ACT Brumbies Stephen Larkham Fly-half ACT Brumbies Sam Norton-Knight Fly-half NSW Waratahs Adam Ashley-Cooper Centre ACT Brumbies Matt Giteau Centre Western Force Stirling Mortlock Centre ACT Brumbies Captain Mark Gerrard Wing ACT Brumbies Digby Ioane Wing Western Force Drew Mitchell Wing Western Force Scott Staniforth Wing Western Force Lote Tuqiri Wing NSW Waratahs Julian Huxley rugby union Full-back ACT Brumbies Cameron Shepherd Full-back Western Force Results First test Australia named their team for the first test four days before the match. Julian Huxley was named to earn his first cap at full-back, while utility back Matt Giteau was named at scrum-half in favour of George Gregan, who was one of two backs on the bench. Flanker Phil Waugh recovered from an ankle injury in time to be named as captain of the team. Wing Drew Mitchell, centre Adam Ashley-Cooper and prop Matt Dunning all made their first appearances for the Wallabies since 2005.Huxley to make Wallabies debut https://www.abc.net.au/news/2007-05-23/huxley-to-make-wallabies-debut/2556318 Australian Broadcasting Corporation 22 May 2007 4 May 2024 Wales named their line-up the next day, the highlight being captain Gareth Thomas's selection on the wing for his 93rd cap, overtaking Gareth Llewellyn as the most capped player for Wales; meanwhile, centre Gavin Henson was named on the bench, and coach Gareth Jenkins said he was "likely to play a part in the game at some stage". In the forwards, Jonathan Thomas was named at number 8 ahead of Michael Owen, while Matthew Rees won the battle with Richard Hibbard to start at hooker. Uncapped prop Ceri Jones was named on the bench.Thomas heads up experienced Wales https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/welsh/6681181.stm BBC Sport 23 May 2007 4 May 2024 26 May 2007 AUS 29–23 Report WAL PaluSharpeGiteauHoiles Mortlock (3) Mortlock Gareth ThomasRobinson Hook (2) Hook (2) Hook Stadium Australia, Sydney 50,000 Jonathan Kaplan (South Africa) FB 15Julian HuxleyRW 14Mark GerrardOC 13Stirling MortlockIC 12Adam Ashley-Cooper 66LW 11Drew MitchellFH 10Sam Norton-KnightSH 9 Matt GiteauN8 8 Wycliff Palu 73OF 7 Phil Waugh (c) 53BF 6 Rocky ElsomRL 5 Mark Chisholm 67LL 4 Nathan SharpeTP 3 Guy ShepherdsonHK 2 Stephen Moore 73LP 1 Matt Dunning 53Replacements:HK 16Adam Freier 73PR 17Benn Robinson 53LK 18Dan Vickerman 67N8 19Stephen Hoiles 73FL 20George Smith 53SH 21George Gregan 66WG 22Scott StaniforthCoach:John Connolly350px FB 15Lee ByrneRW 14Gareth Thomas (c)OC 13Jamie Robinson 67IC 12Sonny ParkerLW 11Chris CzekajFH 10James HookSH 9 Mike Phillips 72N8 8 Jonathan ThomasOF 7 Gavin ThomasBF 6 Colin CharvisRL 5 Robert SidoliLL 4 Brent Cockbain 36TP 3 Adam JonesHK 2 Matthew Rees 74LP 1 Iestyn Thomas 73Replacements:HK 16Richard Hibbard 74PR 17Ceri Jones 73N8 18Michael Owen 36FL 19Scott MorganSH 20Gareth Cooper 72FH 21Ceri SweeneyCE 22Gavin Henson 67Coach:Nigel Davies Second test 2 June 2007 AUS 31–0 Report WAL HuxleyIoaneMitchell Mortlock (2) Mortlock (4) Lang Park, Brisbane 41,622 Paul Honiss (New Zealand) FB 15Julian HuxleyRW 14Digby IoaneOC 13Stirling Mortlock (c)IC 12Adam Ashley-CooperLW 11Drew MitchellFH 10Stephen LarkhamSH 9 Matt GiteauN8 8 Wycliff PaluOF 7 George SmithBF 6 Rocky ElsomRL 5 Dan VickermanLL 4 Nathan SharpeTP 3 Guy ShepherdsonHK 2 Stephen MooreLP 1 Benn RobinsonReplacements:HK 16Adam Freier PR 17Matt Dunning LK 18Mark Chisholm N8 19Stephen Hoiles FL 20Phil Waugh SH 21George Gregan CE 22Mark Gerrard Coach:AUS John Connolly350px FB 15Gareth Thomas (c)RW 14Chris CzekajOC 13Jamie RobinsonIC 12Sonny ParkerLW 11Aled BrewFH 10James HookSH 9 Mike PhillipsN8 8 Jonathan ThomasOF 7 Gavin ThomasBF 6 Colin CharvisRL 5 Robert SidoliLL 4 Michael OwenTP 3 Ceri JonesHK 2 Mefin DaviesLP 1 Iestyn ThomasReplacements:HK 16Richard Hibbard PR 17Chris Horsman FL 18Scott Morgan FL 19Robin Sowden-Taylor SH 20Andy Williams FH 21Ceri Sweeney CE 22Gavin Henson Coach:Nigel Davies References Category:2007 rugby union tours Category:2006–07 in Welsh rugby union 2007 Category:2007 in Australian rugby union 2007 Category:History of rugby union matches between Australia and Wales