News

Deans expecting toughest tour Test

November 25 2008

Australia boss Robbie Deans believes the encounter with Wales at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday will be his side's toughest encounter of their tour.

Despite overcoming both England and France over the last two weeks, Deans sees the Welsh as a world class outfit despite back-to-back home losses to both South Africa and New Zealand.

"Wales have shown throughout the course of this year that they are a world class side," said Deans, who has named a side showing five changes, including a positional change, from the team which beat France in Paris last weekend.

Deans is well aware that after reversals at the hands of the Springboks and the All Blacks, Saturday represents Wales' last chance of taking a Tri-Nations scalp.

"This will be our toughest game. First of all they picked up the Six Nations and even in their recent performances they will be frustrated, probably from a results perspective, but they have shown in each game that they are world class.

"And what makes them really dangerous this week is that they are very hungry to show that. They know they are getting close [to beating one of the southern hemisphere teams].

"As a result, they'll be looking to bring forward the confidence they have gained out of those previous performances, and will see us as an opportunity to complete the package.

"They have clearly done a lot of work on their conditioning. They are a resilient side. And their passion, combined with the passion of the public, makes them a pretty tenacious beast."

So in a bid to try to cancel out some of the Wales threat the Wallabies have turned to the experience of Phil Waugh as part of a new-look back-row.

Waugh is back after being overlooked for the wins against England and France. He takes over from George Smith on the openside flank.

Richard Brown replaces the injured Wycliff Palu at number eight and Hugh McMeniman moves to the blind-side flank. McMeniman's switch sees Mark Chisholm start at lock.

The only change behind the scrum is at outside centre where Adam Ashley-Cooper makes way for Ryan Cross, who missed the France clash because of illness. Scrum-half Luke Burgess is retained despite a pretty unimpressive display in Paris.

A late decision will be made on the back-three cover among the replacements, where either Lote Tuqiri or Ashley-Cooper will wear the number 22 jersey.

Waugh's inclusion means he will win his 77th cap for the Wallabies, moving him ahead of Matthew Burke into ninth place in his country's all-time appearances list.

Dean said that Waugh's inclusion was a lot to do with rotation on a tough tour and not taking Wales lightly.

"It's because of our respect for them that we have looked to inject some freshness into our group," explained Deans.

"It's been a demanding four weeks, with four very hard Test matches back-to-back. To expect the same guys to carry the load right through is unrealistic, and could easily have compromised us.

Meanwhile, 29-year-old Waugh is keen to grab his November Test opportunity with both hands this weekend.

"Unfortunately I haven't been in the last two games [against England and France] but you would rather be out there playing in the big Test matches," he said.

"But this week is my chance and Wales at the Millennium Stadium is a big challenge. It's a big Test match especially looking at their form over the last two weeks. I'm just to be glad to be getting the chance.

"Wales are a team on the move and they will be eying this Test match for a win.

"Wales are a fun team to play against because they play a lot of football. All the guys are excited. It's the last match of the year and hopefully we will finish on a high."