News

Williams wary of Wallabies

November 25 2008

Winger Shane Williams has warned Wales they will face "a far better" Australian side on Saturday than the one that beat them in last year's Rugby World Cup.

The Wallabies' 32-20 Millennium Stadium triumph 14 months ago helped set up a quarter-final appointment with England in Marseille that Australia lost by two points.

But Australia's form on their current European tour - victories over Italy, England and France - has impressed Wales wing Williams, the newly-crowned International Rugby Board Player of the Year.

Wales conclude their November Test series against the Wallabies on Saturday, eager to claim a Tri-Nations scalp following losses to world champions South Africa and world number one team New Zealand.

"They are a massive threat," said Williams.

"They have one of the deadliest attacking back-lines in world rugby.

"(Captain) Stirling Mortlock is probably playing the best rugby of his life at the moment, and Matt Giteau is one of the form tens in the world.

"They've had a very successful tour, so it doesn't get much easier these days, unfortunately.

"I think they are a far better side than they were at the World Cup. The results on tour have shown that.

"I believe they are playing better rugby now than they have done for a long time."

Wales Head Coach Warren Gatland will name his team on Tuesday, with one change guaranteed following the season-ending knee injury suffered by lock Ian Evans against New Zealand.

And Williams is determined to see Wales make one final push for that elusive southern hemisphere success.

"The performance against New Zealand on Saturday, irrespective of the score, was a better performance than the South Africa game, so we are learning and progressing," he added.

"The way we have been playing, and the effort the lads have shown, we deserve something out of these autumn Tests.

"It is important for us to go out with the confidence we've shown so far, and if we play to our potential, we know we are good enough to beat the big sides. It is no different this weekend."