Gatland: Let’s step it up for Aussies By Will Kelleher

WALES must up their game when Australia come to Cardiff next week if they are to end their hoodoo against the Wallabies, according to Warren Gatland.

They have not beaten the Australians in 13 consecutive Tests stretching back to 2008 and face them next Saturday having beaten Scotland 21-10 yesterday.

It was Wales’ first opening-day win in the autumn since 2002, but Gatland wants his side to improve. ‘To be honest, if we came up against Australia today I think we would have struggled, just with them having come off the Rugby Championship,’ he said after the win.

‘It is not so much getting the monkey off the back. There are games where we have been leading going into the final minute and they have scored a try or we’ve conceded a penalty — if you look at the points difference in those games there is nothing in it.

‘Unfortunately we have been unlucky at times. Next week it will nice to get a result, but the more important one is going to be the pool game at the World Cup. If you win that you potentially put yourself in a side of the draw that might be a little easier.’