Burgess' Wales worry

Number nine expects real test on Saturday

Last updated: 28th November 2008   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Burgess' Wales worry

Burgess: Preparing for battle

They will want to test us with their diverse, attacking style, but they also have a fast-rushing defence, they are very physical and they run great attacking lines.

Luke Burgess
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Luke Burgess believes Wales will prove Australia's "toughest challenge" of their European tour.

The Wallabies stand on the brink of a unbeaten European Test match trip for the first time since 1996 having already dispatched with Italy, England and France so far this autumn.

After making his Test debut in this year's Tri-Nations campaign scrum-half Burgess remains realistic that capping off a momentous year in triumph at the Millennium Stadium will be no mean feat.

"The year has been fantastic, really enjoyable," he said. "I feel like I have learned a lot and really grown as a player.

"This tour has all been a part of that and I think in Wales, we now face our toughest challenge.

"They will want to test us with their diverse, attacking style, but they also have a fast-rushing defence, they are very physical and they run great attacking lines.

"We will need to be very accurate in attack and defence."

Dangerous

Wallabies coach Robbie Deans is also firm in his belief that Wales will provide stiff opposition.

"First of all they picked up the Six Nations title, and while they will probably be frustrated from a results perspective with the matches against South Africa and New Zealand, they've shown within each game that they are genuinely world class," he added.

"What makes them really dangerous this week is they are very hungry to show that. We are well aware how keen they are to pick up a Tri-Nations scalp.

"They know they are getting close, and they will see us as an opportunity to complete the package.

"There is no doubt this will be our toughest game in Europe."

Wales' last Tri-Nations success came against the Aussies in a 24-22 thriller in Cardiff three years ago though and the Aussies will be using that fact as extra motivation come Saturday.