Scrum-half Mike Phillips backs wounded Welsh
Welsh scrum-half Mike Phillips has admitted that Wales are hurting after their poor 16-16 draw with Fiji on Friday 19 November.
The British and Irish Lion believes that his team can redeem themselves against New Zealand, who will record a Grand Slam over the home nations if they can beat the Welsh at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday 27 November.
Speaking at a press conference, Phillips said, "We've hurt for the last three weeks, so we should have a lot to give next week. It's a big week ahead, and we've got to put things right and get respect back from our fans.”
The scrum-half didn’t start against Fiji, but he is expected to replace Richie Rees who was disappointing in the Test.
Phillips is expected to be joined in the half-back pairing with the experienced Stephen Jones who is set to replace Dan Biggar after his poor display last week.
Phillips admitted that Wales faces a daunting task as they prepare to take on the world’s number one side in New Zealand, but it is a match that Phillips believes Wales can compete in.
"New Zealand are obviously far better opposition, and we've got to switch on and focus far better than we did [against Fiji]. We can turn it around, without doubt. We've got to pick ourselves up and we've got to do our talking on the pitch, simple as that,"
said the scrum-half.
Welsh coach Warren Gatland, who criticised his players and publicly stripped Ryan Jones of the captaincy believes that Wales must improve after their motivation.
"There is certainly no lack of motivation playing the All Blacks. It's going to be a good test of character for a few individuals. The disappointing thing is that we haven't kicked on. There were certain areas against Fiji we were exposed in that were strengths
last week against South Africa. For me, that's a disappointment," said Gatland.
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