Wales v Australia - Preview
November 23, 2001

Rob Howley believes Wales must try and follow England's stirring example on Sunday when they target a first victory against Australia since the 1987 World Cup.

The world champion Wallabies have posted seven successive wins at Wales' expense following that third place play-off defeat in Rotorua, New Zealand.

And they will arrive at the Millennium Stadium bristling from losses to England (21-15) and France (14-13), setbacks far more convincing than the scorelines suggest.

Wales though, are not exactly in clover themselves, having come unstuck against Argentina a fortnight ago and reeling from a lengthy injury list which includes Lions quintet Dafydd James, Allan Bateman, Mark Taylor, Neil Jenkins and Martyn Williams.

Coach Graham Henry has summoned 38 times-capped Llanelli wing Wayne Proctor for his first Test match start since Wales beat Zimbabwe 49-11 in Harare three years ago, while Cardiff pair Jamie Robinson and Iestyn Harris form an inexperienced centre partnership and Spencer John, third-choice loosehead prop earlier this season, wears the number one jersey.

Expectations of Wales under Henry have dipped massively since crushing Millennium Stadium reversals at the hands of Ireland and Argentina, and few people among a 70,000-plus sell-out crowd realistically expect the world champion Wallabies to slip up.

Wales' 51-7 success against Tonga six days ago partially restored battered confidence, yet Australia, even without injured Lions slayers Daniel Herbert, Nathan Grey and the axed Justin Harrison, should prevail.

They have averaged 39 points a time during a comprehensive seven-game sequence against Wales, that run including four victories on Welsh soil.

Howley though, whose 54th Test match appearance this weekend sees him draw level with Robert Jones as Wales' most capped scrumhalf, was inspired by England's monumental forward power and tactical acumen that had the combined effect of sending Australia reeling.

"England have shown the way, and we have to stand up, be counted and follow," he said. "It is very difficult to play with the ball on the back foot, but that's what England made Australia do.

"England's result didn't surprise me, because the quality of the English side is right up there in world terms.

"But I am sure that Australia will have something up their sleeves, and we will find out how good we are in terms of the team's development - how much we have come on during these past few weeks.

"The French result surprised me more than England's against Australia, so we have to be ready for the Australian backlash that is bound to come."

Howley will renew acquaintances with Wallabies scrumhalf and skipper George Gregan this weekend, the pair having enjoyed some fascinating duels, notably on this summer's Lions tour Down Under, and whoever finishes on top should go some way towards determining the overall outcome.

"I look forward to clashes with Australia," Howley added. "But it's not just about coming up against George Gregan, it's the likes of Owen Finegan, Phil Waugh and Toutai Kefu as well.

"You want to be judged in an arena of world-class players, and while equalling Rob Jones' landmark is another career goal achieved, that goes out of the window on Sunday, because you are totally immersed in looking forward to facing the world's best side."

Unless the Welsh pack can establish supremacy - and Henry is due big performances from hooker Robin McBryde and flanker Colin Charvis, among others - then their prospects look bleak.

Australia possess vastly-superior firepower out wide, where their back-three of Matt Burke, Joe Roff and the recalled Ben Tune is in a different league to anything Wales can muster this weekend.

It could be close for 50 minutes or so, but then expect Australia to cut loose and comfortably make it eight wins against the Welsh in a row.

Teams for Millennium Stadium:

Wales: K Morgan (Swansea), W Proctor (Llanelli), J Robinson (Cardiff), I Harris (Cardiff), G Thomas (Bridgend), S Jones (Llanelli), R Howley (Cardiff), S John (Cardiff), R McBryde (Llanelli), D Morris (Swansea), I Gough (Newport), A Moore (Swansea), C Charvis (Swansea), B Sinkinson (Neath), S Quinnell (Llanelli, capt). Substitutes: B Williams (Neath), D Jones (Neath), C Wyatt (Llanelli), G Thomas (Bath), D Peel (Llanelli), A Marinos (Newport), R Williams (Cardiff).

Australia: Matt Burke, Ben Tune, Graeme Bond, Elton Flatley, Joe Roff, Stephen Larkham, George Gregan (capt), Toutai Kefu, Phil Waugh, Owen Finegan, David Giffin, Matt Cockbain, Ben Darwin, Michael Foley, Nick Stiles. Substitutes: Brendan Cannon, Rod Moore, Justin Harrison, George Smith, Chris Whitaker, Steve Kefu, Chris Latham.

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