Australia v Wales:Wales coach Gareth Jenkins has urged his side to give him a World Cup selection headache by performing as he believes they can to claim a historic victory at Telstra Stadium, Sydney, today.
Jenkins's confidence belies the flak he and his squad have received from the Australian media, who have accused the tour party's selection of disrespecting the Wallabies because 17 leading players were left at home to rest.
Jenkins said: "I question the belief in Australia we don't have a strong team out here. We've got six British Lions and 15 guys who have played more than 20 times for Wales. I think this side is very competitive and very respectful to the Australians . . . I think this team is capable of winning."
The experience in the Wales team is plain for all to see. Skipper Gareth Thomas earns his record 93rd Wales cap, Colin Charvis returns after 18 months in the wilderness to appear for the 85th time in the back row, and there are even three Lions on the bench in Michael Owen, Gareth Cooper and Gavin Henson.
Australian-born Brent Cockbain is the sixth Lion in the party and he and Robert Sidoli re-form the secondrow partnership that served Wales so well when they won the 2005 Six Nations Grand Slam.
However, more crucially for Jenkins is that factor of World Cup places being up for grabs for those who produce the goods in Sydney and next weekend in Brisbane. Those who do could find themselves lining up against the Wallabies during the World Cup pool stages at the Millennium Stadium in September.
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