Australia's clash with Wales at the Millennium Stadium has a lot to do with money, but the year's final game has merit according to the Sydney Morning Herald's Greg Growden.
"After a mixed season involving frugal moments and windfalls, it all ends for the Wallabies with a blatant money-spinner.
"The reason for the Wales-Wallabies Test at Millennium Stadium and the Barbarians fixture in London last weekend is primarily to improve the coffers of the respective bodies, in particular the Australian Rugby Union which is trying to recoup some of the $16 million in revenue lost this year due to a shortened Tri Nations and inbound calendar due to the World Cup.
"Getting the Wallabies to pick themselves up after the frustrations of a failed World Cup campaign and leave the sun and sand for several weeks of gloomy weather in the United Kingdom was asking a lot, but to the players' credit they have embraced it. Their attitude in London and Cardiff has been first-rate, as shown by their belligerent attitude when putting away a talented but clearly wasted Barbarians line-up.
"It has a lot to do with the squad knowing this is a tour where they can win a lot of brownie points with the Wallabies selectors. Test careers can be enhanced or revitalised if they again produce against a quality Welsh opposition, who will certainly be more motivated than the Good Time Charlies they trounced at Twickenham seven days ago. The intense local frenzy over Shane Williams's last Test match will see to that."
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