Wales Seek to End 55-Year Drought in Australia
As the Wales national rugby union team arrives in Australia, they are determined to banish a 55-year drought of victories on Australian soil. Warren Gatland’s side will face the Wallabies in two Test matches, the first on July 6 in Sydney, followed by a clash in Melbourne a week later, before concluding the tour with a match against the Queensland Reds in Brisbane.
The last time the Welsh men’s national senior side defeated the Wallabies in Australia was on June 21, 1969, when they secured a 19-16 victory at the Sydney Cricket Ground. That triumph, led by captain Brian Price, featured an all-star lineup including legends such as JPR Williams, John Dawes, Gerald Davies, Barry John, Sir Gareth Edwards, Delme Thomas, and Mervyn Davies.
However, since that historic win, Wales has suffered 11 consecutive defeats in Australia, with various coaches, including Dawes, Ron Waldron, Kevin Bowring, Steve Hansen, and Gareth Jenkins, all failing to crack the code of touring Australia.
With Wales having lost their last seven Test matches, the long-standing woes in Australia serve as a significant challenge for Gatland’s side. The Welsh will be hoping to turn the tide and end their half-century-long drought in the upcoming fixtures against the Wallabies and the Queensland Reds.
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