JOSH: GEORGIA’S OFF OUR MIND... NOW WE’RE FULLY FOCUSED ON THE AUSSIES

Wales v Australia, Saturday, 3.15pm JOSH MacLEOD believes Wales are ready for Australia’s challenge after some “very honest” conversations following a humiliating defeat by Georgia.

Wales will end the international year – one that has been scarred by home losses to Georgia and Italy – on Saturday by targeting a fourth successive victory over the Wallabies.

But the playing squad, head coach Wayne Pivac and his staff are under enormous pressure in the aftermath of the 13-12 defeat by Georgia that Wales skills specialist Neil Jenkins described as being among his country’s darkest days.

Wales debriefed the Georgia debacle on Monday and Scarlets forward Macleod (right) said: “They (the conversations) were very honest. We wiped that slate clean and now we are really pushing hard for Australia.

“As a squad, we were massively frustrated and disappointed with the result. But as Toby Faletau mentioned after the game, we are going to stick as one – management, players and staff.

“We’ve put Georgia to bed and all the disappointment with that, and we will move forward to this week with a positive attitude. “Everyone says there will be a reaction after a defeat like that. Come Saturday, I am sure whoever takes the field will be ready.” Macleod’s first cap was the only feelgood story to emerge for Wales as Georgia took centre-stage in Cardiff.

The back rower had been selected to start in Wales’ Six Nations appointment with Scotland last year but ruptured his Achilles tendon four days before the game.

He also gained selection for Wales’ 2020 autumn squad, yet a hamstring injury ruled him out of that campaign as well.

He said: “It has been a tough time since the last call-up. I was glad to get that monkey off my back.”