News

Hansen backs Wales against Wallabies

November 24 2008

Former Wales Head Coach and current All Black assistant coach Steve Hansen believes that Wales have what it takes to beat Australia on Saturday.

Wales have not beaten a Southern Hemisphere side this year, having lost three times at the Springboks and once to New Zealand, but on the weight of last weekend's performance against the All Blacks Hansen says Warren Gatland's side are good enough to claim a Tri-Nation's scalp.

The Dragons were ahead 9-6 at half time at the Millennium Stadium only to lose their way in the second half and go down 9-29 while the Wallabies were unconvincing 18-13 winners over France.

"They're in with a good shout next week," Hansen told the Western Mail.

"Wales have as big a pack of forwards as we have come up against this year and the team is there. They just have to learn to play with the same intensity for the full 80 minutes.

"I thought it was an excellent Test match. At half-time it was a genuine Test and Wales had asked us a lot of questions.

"At 9-9, it was going to be decided by the team who were going to hang in there mentally and physically. We managed to come out the other side.

"When you play at a stadium like the Millennium, which is probably the best in the world, you have to rise to the occasion. That is what we did."

On Saturday the home side will however be without Ospreys lock Ian Evans, who sustained knee ligament damage during the second half against the All Blacks