For the second time in two weekends the Welsh pack drove the Aussies over their own line to make it three tries from their biggest weapon. This time, though, there were also two tries to add from the wings.
“I’m just the one that finishes things off and all the hard work is done by the boys up front. It has been a massive weapon for us two weeks in a row,” said Lake.
“That gives us confidence and it is something we can really build on. Our game plan is coming together, and we just need to fix up the inaccuracies.
“We are learning quickly, but the little opportunities we are missing we have to take. We’ve got a never-say-die attitude, but that has to go to 80 minutes.
“We have given a couple of 40 and 60 minute performances, but we were really in the hunt for the 80 minutes. It was just those little opportunities and inaccuracies that cost us.
“Credit to the boys for the hard work they are putting in, but any time you’re on the wrong side of the scoreboard, you’re hurt. We’re very proud Welshmen and we want to do the best for our country and for the jersey.
“It means a lot to us to pull it on, but when we were 17 points down it gave us a tough mountain to climb. Frustration is probably the word because we gave ourselves a chance to win that game.”
Lake has come back with a bang after missing the Guinness Six Nations through injury. He has led Wales into their three tests this summer against the Springboks and the Wallabies and earned rave reviews.
“I thought the boys brought an excellent impact from the bench and we got back into it with Rio’s try. It was very tense and very nervy on the sideline,” admitted Lake, who was replaced by Evan Lloyd after 68 minutes.
