PHIL Davies believes Wales are nearly good enough to tackle any team
in the world following their 23-8 win over Fiji in Suva at the weekend.
The Welsh forward picked up a record-equalling forty-first cap when he
came on six minutes from time to replace Llanelli clubmate Emyr Lewis in
Suva.
That gave him a share with former Pontypool front-row legend Graham
Price of the record number of caps for a Welsh forward, and Davies will
go on this week to make the record his own as the Welsh move on
confidently towards Tonga.
Having won three out of three to date in Canada and Fiji, all thoughts
are on a clean sweep -- and revenge over Western Samoa in the final
fixture in Apia on Saturday.
Davies knows from first-hand experience just how tough the two
remaining matches will be, having played on the last Wales tour to the
South Seas in 1986, but is increasingly confident.
''I would like to have a go at any team in the world at the moment. We
are gelling into a useful outfit now,'' said Davies.
Saturday's victory, courtesy of first-half tries by Mike Rayer and
Richie Collins, and 13 points from the boot of Adrian Davies, equalled
another record -- the fourth win in a row away from home. It was also
the fifteenth win in the last 17 representative fixtures for the senior
Welsh side and the seventh Test win in eight outings to date this year.
The good news for manager Bob Norster is that No.8 Emyr Lewis, who
left the field with a hip injury, will be fit to play this week. That
means the selectors will have a full squad from which to choose as they
seek to make it five wins out of five.
* WORLD champions Australia survived a determined challenge from Italy
in Brisbane, emerging unconvincing 23-20 winners in the first Test on
Saturday.
The Australians notched up two tries to one, by Daniel Herbert and
Matthew Burke.
They never looked comfortable, though, and after finding themselves
17-13 down in the second half, they need Tim Wallace's kicking to
restore their pride.
Massimo Bonomi scored the Italians' lone try and Luigi Troiani kept
them in the match with five penalties.
* FRANCE fired a sharp warning to the All Blacks when they came from
behind at Wanganui to beat a New Zealand XV stacked with internationals.
Down 25-21 with 10 minutes to play, France stormed back with two superb
tries to take the match convincingly 33-25.
It was powerful performance from France against a team with 13 All
Blacks and two Samoan Test players, and should give them every
confidence when they meet the All Blacks in the first Test on Sunday
week.
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