Jump to main content
Jenkins urges Wales to take golden opportunity

Jenkins urges Wales to take golden opportunity

Neil Jenkins insists Wales will have “no excuses” if they fail to beat Australia in Brisbane on Saturday. (KO 11am UK time)

Share this page:

Wales have not overcome one of the big-three southern hemisphere sides away from home since the 22-21 victory over the Wallabies at the 1987 World Cup.

They have lost to the Wallabies twice already this year, first at the World Cup and then at the Millennium Stadium in December.

But kicking coach Neil Jenkins, who played through some dark times against the southern hemisphere super-powers, insists the time has come to turn the tide.

“The players have had a good week to prepare and we are in pretty good shape. There are no excuses for Saturday night, [11.00am GMT]” said Jenkins.

“The feeling I get in the camp is that everyone is looking forward to it. We did pretty well at the World Cup, and very well in winning the Grand Slam, but this is the next step for any side, winning in the southern hemisphere.

“It is an opportunity for us, but it isn’t won on paper. We have to take out chances and limit theirs.”

The last time Wales were in Brisbane they crashed to a 31-0 defeat in the second Test of their tour.

But following Australia’s shock 9-6 loss to Scotland earlier in the week, Wales have been handed the favourites tag.

“We know what Saturday holds for us – we are under no illusions as to what is coming. But we have got to back ourselves because we believe we have a pretty good side,” added Jenkins.

“We are expecting Australia to come out all guns firing, especially after their very disappointing result against Scotland on Tuesday. I’m just hoping we can match them in that way.

“It’s going to take a huge effort from us to win because they are a fantastic side. They are certainly the second best team in the world and I think they would push the All Blacks.

“We managed to win the Grand Slam, but now we want that southern hemisphere scalp to take this squad to the next level. It is a huge challenge.


“It would be nice to get off to a winning start in the series because that always puts pressure on the opposition. They are a good side that will be hurting from Tuesday.

“They will be very disappointed about Tuesday night and will want to turn up and put in a good performance. We may be in a different position than we have been for a long time, but that is irrelevant – we’ve still got to turn up and play well.


“We believe we are a very fit side and the longer we stay in the game, the better chance we will have of winning it. We just can’t afford to let them get off to a good start.”
 

Partners and Suppliers

Principal Partners
Principality
Admiral
Jenkins urges Wales to take golden opportunity
Vodafone
Go.Compare
Official Broadcast Partners
S4C
BBC Cymru/Wales
Official Partners
Guinness
Jenkins urges Wales to take golden opportunity
Jenkins urges Wales to take golden opportunity
Heineken
Jenkins urges Wales to take golden opportunity
Jenkins urges Wales to take golden opportunity
Official Suppliers
Gilbert
Jenkins urges Wales to take golden opportunity
Rhino Rugby
Sportseen
Jenkins urges Wales to take golden opportunity
Jenkins urges Wales to take golden opportunity
Princes Gate
Jenkins urges Wales to take golden opportunity
Amber
Opro
Total Energies
Seat Unique
Jenkins urges Wales to take golden opportunity
Castell Howell
Glamorgan Brewing
Ted Hopkins
Hawes & Curtis
Jenkins urges Wales to take golden opportunity