Australia v Wales, Sydney, June 23
Edwards insists Wales will be up for final Test
ESPN Staff
June 18, 2012
Wales defence coach Shaun Edwards, Wales training session, Newtown Park, Wellington, New Zealand, October 5, 2011
Wales assistant coach Shaun Edwards is hoping his side can make history against the Wallabies this weekend © Getty Images
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Wales assistant coach Shaun Edwards insists the chance to make history ensures his side will not want for motivation when they tackle Australia in their third and final Test clash in Sydney on Saturday.

Australia wrapped up the series with a dramatic 25-23 victory over the tourists in Melbourne last weekend but Edwards believes there is still plenty to play for going into the sold-out Sydney Football Stadium clash.

"Let's be honest, if we win the Test on Saturday it'll be the first time in the professional era since 1969 that Wales have won a Test in the southern hemisphere and that's a big goal to shoot for," said Edwards.

"It was a huge disappointment (on Saturday), an opportunity definitely missed, but hopefully as the week progresses that will slowly turn into a determination to not leave your beautiful shores without a victory in a Test match."

Edwards has also demanded an end to "avoidable" penalties - one of which from replacement Richard Hibbard gifted Australia the chance to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat on Saturday - which they duly did.

"We conceded 25 points in Melbourne, which was disappointing, but only one try. I was disappointed in some of the penalties that we gave away, but we were defending for such long periods of time," said Edwards.

"Defences get refereed more harshly than offences do, and rightly so. Otherwise we would have the stalemate game we had two or three years ago when there was so much kicking in the game. But when you are defending for such long periods you are going to concede a penalty or two. The one which gave Australia the field position at the end was very avoidable and it is the avoidable ones you want to cut down on."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.

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