Wales forwards coach Robin McBryde sees no reason why the nation cannot build on their Six Nations triumph on their Australia tour.
Forward coach backing Wales to impress Down Under
Wales forwards coach Robin McBryde sees no reason why the nation cannot build on their Six Nations triumph on their Australia tour.
Warren Gatland's said has enjoyed a season to remember, reaching the World Cup semi-finals for the first time since 1987 and then landing their second RBS 6 Nations title.
Gatland's trusty assistants - McBryde, Rob Howley and Shaun Edwards - will take charge in Australia while he recovers from fractures to both heels following an accident at his holiday home in New Zealand.
It is 43 years since Wales beat the Wallabies Down Under, but McBryde believes the prospect of winning the series away from home will inspire the squad to excel.
McBryde has dispelled the notion of it being a long season, stating the team are giving it their all in training and are raring to go ahead of travelling to the southern hemisphere.
Momentum
"Momentum is behind us since the World Cup, and we managed to keep that going through the Six Nations," said McBryde.
"I suppose everyone is waiting to see how we are going to react to that first loss we have as a group, but until we suffer that first loss, who knows?
"The players have created their own little bit of history, and they are keen for more. I have seen reports in the papers about it being a long season, but that hasn't been raised by the players at all.
"The players have come in to training and given their all. There is a huge carrot out there - to go down to Australia and hopefully win a series.
"If we win one of the (Tests), it is something we haven't been able to do down there for a number of years. We have got three bites of the cherry."
Scrum
Key to Welsh hopes in Australia will be revered scrummaging powerhouse Adam Jones, the Ospreys tighthead who has become a pillar of strength and consistency in Gatland's teams.
And while the Australian scrum has been a perceived weakness for a number of years - a factor regularly highlighted by dominant English front-rows - McBryde believes Wales must be prepared for an intense set-piece battle.
"The scrum is an area of the game Australia have worked very hard on, and they have gradually got better and better," he continued
"They are well led by Stephen Moore, who is one of the best hookers in the world in my opinion. They have been very strong in the set-piece for a while now.
"We are all just really looking forward to the challenge.
"We are speaking quite regularly with Warren on the phone, and he is keeping a close eye on things from afar. He is able to watch some of the Super Rugby out there, which is hugely relevant to how the game is played on the other side of the world.
"And we are looking forward to getting him out to Australia if his recovery keeps on going as it is."
