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Wallabies handed Welsh warning
PA Sport
Tuesday, September 11, 2007 - 08:11 AM (AEST)
Tom Shanklin has backed Wales to hit Australia with Grand Slam style in Saturday's pivotal World Cup clash after the 'glory days' of 2005 were rekindled in the final romp to victory over Canada.
Wales had been on the ropes at 17-9 down but took advantage of a tiring Canada side to surge ahead with five tries in an electric display of attacking rugby.
Stephen Jones and Gareth Thomas were credited with changing the game after being introduced off the bench but Shanklin was arguably the stand-out player as Wales attacked from all areas in a great throwback to the manner in which the 2005 Six Nations was won.
The challenge now is to reproduce that for longer than just half an hour - and against two-time world champion Australia.
"We did play well in that second half on Saturday," said Shanklin.
"It was like a switch had been flicked and we were back to the good old days of free-flowing rugby."
"After 60 minutes they were pretty tired, we played a bit wider and the holes opened up. We were more clinical, we were making breaks and capitalising on them to score tries."
"We played in that period how we want to play and it suits us and that is the way to go now."
"Our attack is getting better all the time. It would be nice to have 20 minutes like that against Australia."
Shanklin believes it would not be out of place for Wales to be considered favourites against Australia.
On the back of just five wins in 17 Tests, that could be considered an outlandish comment but the Cardiff centre thought long and hard about it.
While the Wallabies opened their campaign with a 91-3 rout of a second-string Japan side, Shanklin feels Wales' tough outing against Canada will have done them some good.
And with a good recent record against Australia at the Millennium Stadium, home advantage could be key.
"In my opinion, I would say Wales are favourites because we know we can beat the likes of Australia," said Shanklin.
"They have had a Tri-Nations series and a good start to the World Cup."
"But we've won one and drawn one against Australia in Cardiff in the last couple of years and that is a confidence boost going into this game - knowing what we can do against them."
"You can't read much into their game but I think we needed a tough test. Canada gave us a real good run. They often take a long time to break down and that is what happened."
The stunning performances from Jones and Thomas have left the Wales coaching staff with a difficult selection meeting tomorrow.
Thomas played at inside centre during the August Tests, but should he return as a full-back?
Jones, who had come close to missing the World Cup with injury, seems nailed on to start at fly-half but does that mean James Hook moves to inside centre?
"There are a lot of issues," said Shanklin.
"Stephen was mad up for it against Canada. That was his first game after a big injury and he wanted to prove a point."
"He had missed out on the warm-up games then it was a case of 'where does he fit in at the World Cup?'."
"So to come on and play like that in his first game was fantastic - he controlled it and played brilliantly."
"James is also a quality player and he weathered the storm."
"Where do they all fit in? That is a job for the coach."
"Whether it's James or Steve at No.10, they have both got the same style of thinking and they want to play the game in the same way."
IMHO i reckon the Australians played a really well structured game from start to finish, the welsh only kicked in in the latter stages when fitness started to play apart, unlike the Aussies who excelled towards the end of thier match but played consistently the whole game....I would acknowledge the warning, but cannot see the welsh lads getting over us...
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