Wales coach Rob Howley fully expects his team to face Australia’s tried and tested quality when the 2015 Rugby World Cup pool rivals clash in Cardiff next week.
It has been far from plain sailing for the Wallabies during their European tour preparations, a five-game schedule that starts against the Barbarians at Twickenham on Saturday.
Kurtley Beale was dropped for the last two Rugby Championship Tests against Argentina and New Zealand after becoming embroiled in a high-profile row with Wallabies business manager Di Patston, who has since resigned.
The 25-year-old was fined $45,000 last week after being found guilty of a serious breach of the Australian Rugby Union’s code of conduct.
Coach Ewen McKenzie, meanwhile, announced his resignation immediately following Australia’s dramatic 29-28 loss to New Zealand 10 days ago, and he was subsequently replaced by Michael Cheika, who will also continue to head up a successful Waratahs outfit until next year.
Wales have lost nine successive games against the Wallabies since beating them 21-18 in November 2008 and Howley has dismissed any notion of life becoming any easier.
“In Michael Cheika they have a coach who has won in the northern and southern hemisphere,” Wales assistant coach Howley said.
“He understands a lot of the players they have got and I have no doubt they will be in a good place.
“Sometimes, off the field doesn’t reflect what goes on the field and they will come over knowing we are in the same World Cup group in less than a year’s time. They will want to put a marker down.
“Australian players have got a knack of being clinical. They have great skill-sets and they will be no different this autumn.
“They play fantastic rugby and they probably should have beaten New Zealand in that last Test. They came up short in the last 90 seconds.”
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.
Three things in the world of rugby have caught my eye this week, and got me thinking very hard about the way forward, and…
Amid a week of soul-searching for Stephen Larkham’s men, the Brumbies have received a massive boost ahead of Saturday’s home clash against the ladder-leading…
Jordan Petaia may have played his last match for the Reds, with the off-contract Wallabies back to miss the rest of the Super Rugby…
How much does rugby compare in Europe vs. Australia? James Ramm highlights key positives since making the move to England from the Waratahs, speaking…
The Reds face a tough assignment this weekend playing the Blues. Alex Hodgman gives Christy Doran and Matt Toomua an insight into repping NZ…
The icing on the cake in the Western Force's win over the Crusaders was the return of Kurtley Beale. For former teammate Matt Toomua,…
