Hansen leaves it late

Wales coach Steve Hansen beat the IRB 48-hour deadline by minutes as he named his team to take on world champions Australia in Sydney on Saturday night.

Hansen, who has kept his squad in New Zealand at a ‘secret’ training camp all week, only arrived in Sydney today, keeping everyone guessing as to his final selection for the game.

When he did allow the team to be released – literally minutes before the deadline – it contained few surprises.

Flanker Martyn Williams will lead Wales, who last played Australia two years ago in Cardiff, losing 21-13.

Wales team to play Australia in Sydney on Saturday, June 14:

R Williams; M Jones, J Robinson, M Taylor, T Shanklin; S Jones, G Cooper; I Thomas, R McBryde, G Jenkins, G Llewellyn, R Sidoli, J Thomas, M Williams (Capt), C Charvis.

Replacements: M Davies, B Evans, C Wyatt, A Popham, D Peel 21, C Sweeney, G Henson.