Wales must start as they mean to go on this time, says Robin McBryde

Wales had a nightmare opening 20 minutes at the weekend, losing three players to injury – lock Bradley Davies, prop Aaron Jarvis and centre Jamie Roberts – and, with less than ten minutes of the second half gone, they trailed 33-0. But, when the Six Nations champions belatedly got going, they matched New Zealand 10-10 on the second-half scoreboard and enjoyed more than 70 per cent possession.

If the Wallabies post an eighth-successive victory over Wales this weekend, it would leave the Welsh reeling from a four-game autumn Test series whitewash.

Wales could also drop out of the top eight in the world rankings and find themselves a tier-three nation for next Monday’s World Cup pool draw in London.

“We are going to have to be at our best,” Wales forwards coach McBryde said.

“We’ve really got to start the game in the best shape possible to give us any opportunity of winning this game.

“We just left ourselves a bit too much to do after the first half against New Zealand. The scores were level in the second half, and we need to start in that same vein of form.

“The character and resolve we showed to get back into the game [against New Zealand] was outstanding. We’ve got to take a lot of heart from it and, hopefully, build on it.”

Wales boss Warren Gatland has put back his scheduled team announcement to tomorrow lunchtime from yesterday, with injuries continuing to test his resources. Davies and Jarvis are confirmed non-starters to face the Wallabies, while Roberts, winger George North, lock Ian Evans and flanker Ryan Jones are among those battling for fitness.

“We are going to give some players as much time as possible, so we are looking at Thursday, really,” McBryde added.

“Ian Evans took a part in training this morning, which was a positive, but we are not forcing anybody. Thursday will be the important day for us.”