Wales captain Alun Wyn Jones says his side can have no excuses if they fail to beat the Wallabies in Cardiff this Sunday (0420 AEDT).
Although the Welsh have not beaten Australia since 2008 – a run of 13 matches – they go into the game as slight favourites having won their last six games, including last week’s 21-10 win over Scotland.
That run has also produced a series victory in Argentina, a success over South Africa and seen Warren Gatland’s side rise to third in world rankings – three places above the Wallabies.
Having identified that his side have struggled in the latter stages of previous encounters against Michael Cheika’s men Gatland has made a point of bolstering his reserves bench.
British and Irish Lions duo Liam Williams and Dan Biggar are among the replacements and with a full house expected at the magnificent Principality Stadium, Jones said his side is ready to end a decade of Australian dominance.
“We have got no excuse with the people we’ve got off the bench,” Jones said.
“We’ve had a good outing already, and there were patches of our performance against Scotland which were good.
“We’ve got some momentum already, and it probably does make a difference facing Australia second (in the autumn) from a preparation point of view.
“We know they have been together for two or three months, but this time we’ve got a bit more preparation under our belts, which will help.”
Despite the Wallabies’ difficult year, which has seen them win just three of their last 11 matches, the Welsh skipper remains wary of allowing the tourists to dictate the game.”
“With the players they have, they can spark up a moment of individual brilliance, and they marry that with a decent pack,” he said.
“They always come and pose a threat, and it will be no different this weekend.
“It’s key to shut down their momentum. If they get an early score, then you need to chase the game.
“Especially against a team like Australia, who have that counter-attacking ability, you just don’t want to get in a hole against them early on and need to start well.”
Oblonsky‘s Other Pun
Roar Guru
A fit Liam Williams is one of the best outside backs in the world, but I wouldn't put Biggar in that upper echelon of players - or else he would be starting. Davies and Williams are Wales' two backs that could legitimately push for a world 15 spot. However, Australia has a number of very good backs too. But a lot of them aren't in the side due to injury (TK) or Cheika being too pig-headed to select them (Banks). The fool isn't even starting Toomu despite the fact he can play both 10 and 12, and has outplayed both Foley and Beale this year.
Hugo
Guest
What counter attacking ability? Rushing into David Jones for a sale? The WBs have few backs of the quality of Biggar and Williams, and those two aren't even starting. Wales by 9.