Wales sweating on fitness of Wainwright for second Test

Wales are sweating on the fitness of No. 8 Aaron Wainwright for Saturday’s second Test against Australia in Melbourne

Wainwright, who won his 50th cap when Wales went down to a 25-16 defeat in the series opener last weekend, suffered a leg injury and was forced off during the closing stages.

“We are waiting for a further assessment,” Wales assistant coach Rob Howley said.

“He was outstanding (in the first Test). His carries, his footwork, he got us on the front foot on many occasions.

“We are waiting for that assessment to come back from the medical team.”

If Wainwright is ruled out it would be a major blow for Wales head coach Warren Gatland, who has overseen eight successive Test defeats.

Wales have not won a Test match since beating 2023 World Cup pool-stage opponents Georgia, and Gatland’s team are edging closer to the record run of 10 losses in 2002 and 2003 when his fellow New Zealander Steve Hansen held the coaching reins.

Full-back Liam Williams, wing Josh Hathaway and prop Gareth Thomas also suffered knocks during the Sydney encounter, with Gatland likely to name his starting line-up on Thursday.

“Liam Williams hopefully will be available for selection. We are waiting on him,” Howley added.

“Gareth Thomas had a bit of a dead leg, he was back in training today. Josh Hathaway is being monitored, he took a bump on his arm.

“In terms of those players coming off, fingers crossed they will be available for selection.”

The Sydney setback was Wales’ 12th defeat in a row against the Wallabies on Australian soil, having not won there since 1969.

But it looks as though Gatland will keep changes to a minimum unless his hand is forced by injuries.

“It is an important game,” Howley said. “There is huge disappointment and frustration within the camp. We want to give the best version of ourselves.

“Everyone is hugely motivated. It is how you come out of a Test match when you have lost.

“I thought we really did well to come back into the game at 18-16. We can talk about the experience and the learning, of course we can, but we need to start winning Test matches.”