Robin McBryde throws caution before the tour – Rugby News Update
Robin McBryde, the 41-year-old former Wales' Hooker and the current forwards coach of the national side, has warned his players against the threat of the Australian pack.
Wales tours Australia for a three-match test series, and have not won on Wallabies' soil for 43 years, their last victory coming in 1969. It is a massive challenge for his team, and one they are relishing, especially on the back of good performances at the
2011 Rugby World Cup, and lately at the 2012 Six Nations.
Commenting on the challenge that awaits his team, McBryde said, "The scrum is an area of the game Australia have worked very hard on, and they have gradually got better and better."
Wales are buoyed by the return of their talisman Sam Warburton, who is also the captain of the team. He has been out injured for a few months, and his return to fitness is a big boast. He will be travelling to Australia with an advance party of 15 members,
to acclimatise to Australian conditions.
McBryde feels that there is a lot at stake and his team can make history if they defeat the Wallabies. They get three chances to do so, and they can take anyone of them.
He said, "The players have created their own little bit of history, and they are keen for more." He further added, "There is a huge carrot out there - to go down to Australia and hopefully win a series. If we win one of the games (Tests), it is something
we haven't been able to do down there for a number of years."
However, Wales will be without their influential coach Warren Gatland, who is nursing an injury. In his place Rob Howley will be coaching the national team on an interim basis.
McBryde will know about the Wallabies from his playing days, and as a Wales hooker he played 37 times for his country. He made his debut against Fiji at Suva, on June 18, 1994, and played his last international game against Ireland at Millennium Stadium,
on March 19, 2005.
He will want his team to emerge victorious from the tour.
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