Barry John

S O, Wales enter another autumn campaign with Saturday’s opener against Australia and let’s hope that this time, by the end of the month, the figures in the win-loss columns are more in our favour.

I’m not a massive one for statistics, but everyone in Wales is fully aware our record is not particularly good when it comes to playing against the southern hemisphere big guns in recent times.

Just two wins in 33 matches under Warren Gatland’s watch, I’m told. Speaks for itself, I guess.

Will that change this time as Wales face the Wallabies? If I’m truthful, I can’t honestly say for certain that it will, although the right team selection will at least offer us more than a fighting chance – particularly with who plays in what has become our almost problem position of 10. More of that in a moment. So often down the years, Australia have been our nemesis, literally winning matches in the very last seconds of a game and sometimes by just a single point. The question is how do we finally turn that around?

I know Australia were battered by New Zealand last weekend and are somewhat bruised, but they head over to these shores determined to end their own international season on a high – and make no mistake, they fully grasp the importance of kick-starting that in the first tour game at the Principality Stadium.

Why should it be any different for Wales on this occasion? Well, what gives me encouragement are events of the summer and, in particular, the first-half showings in the first and second Tests in New Zealand.

OK, in the end we were crushed 3-0, but there was no disgrace in that against a New Zealand side who will go on to establish themselves in the next few years as one of the greatest modern-day sporting sides.

They have swept aside every team before them; they are the barometer. Standard-bearers in not only how to win, but also in how to adapt to rule changes quicker than anyone else to ensure they carry on winning.

Wales lost, but it was the more inventive and adventurous approach we adopted which gives me greater encouragement. To be perfectly honest, what I saw surprised me somewhat, very pleasantly so.

Wales really took the game to superior opponents. We led the first Test after an hour and my eyes were opened to the quality of rugby produced, a confidence to move the ball at speed and out wide, rather than just the heads down, charging up the middle style we have become so accustomed to during the Gatland years.

The players clearly bought into the more adventurous approach and there seems to be a new-found belief in players like George North, Liam Williams, Jonathan Davies and Rhys Webb, who each positively flourished with the greater freedom to play.

The key, moving forward, is how to enhance that approach and turn defeats into victories.

Most of the team picks itself. This is a very settled unit, but some minor, although nonetheless important, tinkering can help.

The front five are well established. So too the back-row. While we will miss Taulupe Faletau, it opens the door for Ross Moriarty to come into a unit of familiarity, whether it’s Dan Lydiate or Justin Tipuric who gets the nod next to Sam Warburton.

Moriarty was the find of the New Zealand tour for me and the warm handshake of respect he was given by his opponents after some excellent displays will have done his confidence a power of good.

We wait on the fitness of Liam Williams, but regular readers of this column know how highly I rate the Scarlets flier. Leigh Halfpenny returns to bolster the team, I’ve already mentioned the confidence other backs will have gained from Wales’ more expansive style out in New Zealand.

However, then we come to what I feel is more of a problem position – No.10, still the key playmaking role in the team.

Dan Biggar is not the shoo-in he has been for the past couple of years. His contribution has been enormous and we will never forget the matchwinning display produced in the World Cup against England.

However, you cannot just keep thinking of what happened in the past.

The fact is Biggar cannot hold down the Ospreys shirt any more, with Sam Davies having emerged and the ethos and attitude at the Liberty often revolving around him.

In my view, Biggar doesn’t pose enough of a personal threat to opponents at the moment. He seems to be going through the numbers and routines fine, but defenders overlook him and focus their attentions on the men outside.

As a fly-half you must attract that type of personal attention yourself, be viewed as a threat, before you move the ball on. Draw defenders, thus create space for others.

I just feel Gareth Anscombe would do this more for Wales, trouble the Wallabies. He brings something different to the backline, is sharp, bubbly and I like the way he mixes his