It’s quite excellent news that Wales are to tour Australia next summer and play two tests in Brisbane and Sydney.
Amidst all the unhappy disclosures emanating from the Principality, this strikes a far more positive note. Tours have been great rarities for the national side: this one provides a sensible preparation for the world cup, while offering both nations the chance to get more high-level match practice under their belts.
Scotland in particular have shown the benefit of playing nations other than the traditional five.
The Welsh squad already had two home tests lined up, against England in late March, then Ireland in mid-April. So the authorities are doing their belated best to make amends for earlier shortcomings. Four tests across the spring and summer of 2025 seem well planned for the biggest challenge starting later in August.
A vital Unknown
Vital details remain under wraps. No replacement for Ioan Cunningham has yet been announced, and we have little idea how soon the news may break. The obvious response must be: the sooner the better.
It’s a massive task taking on a national side, no matter how experienced the new appointment may be. Jo Yapp, a recent example, had to wait some time before she could see the benefit of her new regime in Australia. The Wallaroos were condemned to their annual encounters with the Black Ferns; they had to wait till WXV for their progress to shine through.
In the Welsh case we’ve been able to see the talent available through the English PWR. But success there hasn’t found an echo in the Cymru side – not since Ioan Cunningham helped them to third place in the Six Nations twice running in 2022 and 2023.
The challenge the Wallaroos will present is undoubted. They lie five places higher in the world order, and their tails are very much up. They will be expecting to see off their challengers in both games. But the Welsh can be heartened by the memory of their first ever win over Australia in Newport last year.
It will be interesting to see whether a third Celtic Challenge can offer more new talent, to widen the scope of the next Welsh squad.
A likely tale
Even the doubts about the WRU’s finances made this news less than a given. Stories of funding debts have piled up over past months. In the men’s game, many people see the continuation of the four regions as unwise, if not impossible.
But here it looks like ‘no expense spared’; that in itself is heartening. It’s also a positive that time and space have been found for two tests; a one-off would have been far less productive. Even if the series ends 1-1, the two managements will have been able to survey more selection options and patterns of play under testing conditions.
We have seven months to wait for this enterprising tour.
