Welsh rugby star George North admits it will be “weird” when Wales travel to Australia without Warren Gatland, but insists they can emerge victorious from the tour despite the absence of their coach.
Double grand-slam winner Gatland will miss the trip to Australia as he recovers from injuries he suffered in a fall at his home in New Zealand earlier this month.
The Kiwi, who is the favourite to lead the British and Irish Lions to Australia in 2013, broke both heels in the fall and Rob Howley has been handed the reins as caretaker coach while Gatland recuperates.
The Six Nations champions face a tough summer with a three-Test series against the Wallabies following on from a Millennium Stadium appointment against the Barbarians.
And Wales will head down under having won just one game against the southern hemisphere giants of New Zealand, South Africa and Australia since Gatland and his coaching team took charge after the 2007 World Cup.
But Gatland and his staff have made it clear that having conquered Europe for the third time in eight seasons, the time has come for Wales to upset the global game’s top three sides, starting in Australia in June.
And powerhouse North, 20, has every confidence that Wales can compete with the Wallabies, and is backing Howley to ably fill the void left by Gatland’s absence.
“It’s obviously bad news for Warren and we hope it’s a speedy recovery,” said the Scarlets three-quarter.
“But I am sure Rob will do a good job as all the other coaching staff will do.
“It will maybe affect us a little bit with the head coach not out there, but the quality of players we have now and the quality of the coaching staff is very high.
“It will be a bit weird not having him there but I am sure we can cope.”
Wales’ previous efforts to build on grand-slam success in 2005 and 2008 ultimately fell short.
But North says there is no lack of hunger in their impressive young squad following their latest Six Nations clean sweep.
“We have been guilty in the past of slowing down after a slam but the boys we have here are keen to push on to achieve more. We believe we can do that with the quality of players we have,” he said.
“Australia are a hard team to play wherever you play them but it will be tough to play three Tests in their backyard.”
MP
Guest
I think it will be a great contest, both sides have things going for and against them, wales are away and without their coach gatland, who imo has done an incredible job and im not sure how two grandslams and a 4th in the RWC can be called bad coaching. However, Australia have lost some key players and their fitting the international duties around a busy Super15 schedule, where are wales have finished their domestic comp. But regadless of the positives and negatives its what happens on the field that counts and i think maybe its wales year to claim a SH. Neither team is going to get a 3-0 but 2-1, to wales i reckon.
CBlue
Guest
I predict a 2-1 series win to Wales. Australia are very overrated. The last two times they have played Wales, the Welsh have been plagued by lot's of injuries and had little time to recover after the World cup, whereas Australia had a month or so. Wales should crush Australia's scrum, and be too good in the backs.
Ben S
Roar Guru
I think Warburton could be the difference, tbh, SB. The other players respond to him and he has a great relationship with Lydiate and Faletau, Also, the last time he played Pocock IMO he totally neutralised him. Enjoy yourself. There's some good ale pubs in the City if that's your vibe, especially around Monument. I think the SA trip will end well or very, very badly.
Short-Blind
Guest
Thanks for your wrap Ben - tend to agree that both sides are pretty even though it seems you are placing a lot of emphasis on the difference Warburton will make. BTW am in London ATM (Canary Wharf) sampling some of the old darts best ales - have to say what a great town! Good luck in SA I think you may need it :)
Ben S
Roar Guru
I'm unsold on Priestland, SB. I think he has very good potential and is one of those players who does a lot without seeming that he's doing a lot, if you know what I mean? A few defences got in his face in the 6N and he struggled, and I think the loss of Roberts and Davies will really impact upon him, especially as Jon Davies plays at 12 inside him for the Scarlets. I'm not sure about North. He is only just 20 after all. Physically he is awesome but he hasn't been asked to do a great deal other than carry, so it's possibly a bit hard to judge him atm. I'm underwhelmed by Wales. I think they have some great players but are one-dimensional in attack and badly coached. IMO they have better depth than at any time in the professional era, but the last 6N was pretty underwhelming (as most 6Ns are after World Cups), so I'm not taking that as any great indicator they are ready to topple the SH. Deans has a lot of things to deal with: criticisms of his selections, Cooper criticising his game plans, key players out of form (atm) BUT Australia are still at home and they should expect to win. If Warburton is out then I'm tipping Australia to win 3-0. Neither side scares me as an England supporter though. I just think both sides have too many flaws.
Short-Blind
Guest
Yes Ben the loss of these 3 players would be a big blow to Wales chances - hadn't heard this before. To be honest the player I'm most looking forward to seeing more of is the standoff Priestland - he impressed at the RWC and really gets their backs going with his running and long passing game. North is a talent no doubt but a little over rated at this early stage of his career (IMO). What's your series prediction?
Ben S
Roar Guru
George North is 20.
matthew
Guest
North's not 20, he's 18/19. Wallabies to win the series easy 3-0. Just too clever for Wales playing at home, Wales play good stuff but they're a bit crude and direct in their play. Expect the Wallabies backline to get the better of them.
Ben S
Roar Guru
And Wales without key players like Warburton (potentially), Roberts and Davies...
Short-Blind
Guest
If Wales can't beat the Wallabies during this visit then you'll have to wonder if they ever will - other than the away venue, nearly everything is in their favour. key wallabies injured or out of form (JOC, QC, Mitchell, Genia and Horwill, Robinson), Wales settled and long preparation, wallabies short prep in between a brutal S15 tournament. It will definitely be 2-1 but to which team?