Australia fly-half Matt Giteau says Wales are much-improved

Matt Giteau says Australia face a Wales side in Cardiff on Saturday that is far better from the one they beat 32-20 in last year's World Cup pool stage.

The Wallabies have beaten England and France on their tour, while Wales lost narrowly to South Africa and led New Zealand at half-time before succumbing.

Giteau says that despite those two defeats, Wales remain a dangerous side.

"Wales have made huge improvements, obviously winning the Six Nations they deserved that," said fly-half Giteau.

"They use the ball well, you only have to look at the first couple of minutes against New Zealand with them moving the ball from side to side.

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"All 15 players they have in their side can use the ball, they're a side that likes to use the ball, as we are as well, so it should be a good game.

"Their defence, especially at the moment watching them against New Zealand, has improved a lot.

"So I'd say this week we'll get less opportunities than we did against England or France."

Wales have not beaten New Zealand in 55 years, while their last - and only - win against South Africa came in 1999.

But Wales have enjoyed a better record against Australia, downing the Wallabies 24-22 in Cardiff in 2005 and then drawing with them - again at the Millennium Stadium in a thriller the following year.

Meanwhile, Australia lost number eight Wycliff Palu for the remainder of their tour of Europe with a shoulder injury.

Wales: Lee Byrne (Ospreys); Mark Jones (Scarlets), Tom Shanklin (Cardiff Blues), Jamie Roberts (Cardiff Blues), Shane Williams (Ospreys), Stephen Jones (Scarlets), Gareth Cooper (Gloucester); Gethin Jenkins (Cardiff Blues), Matthew Rees (Scarlets), Adam Jones (Ospreys), Ian Gough (Ospreys), Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys), Ryan Jones (Ospreys, capt), Martyn Williams (Cardiff Blues), Andy Powell (Cardiff Blues).
Replacements: Richard Hibbard (Ospreys), John Yapp (Cardiff Blues), Luke Charteris (Newport Gwent Dragons), Dafydd Jones (Scarlets), Martin Roberts (Scarlets), James Hook (Ospreys), Andrew Bishop (Ospreys).

Australia: Drew Mitchell (Western Force); Peter Hynes (Queensland Reds), Ryan Cross (Western Force), Stirling Mortlock (Brumbies, capt), Digby Ioane (Queensland Reds); Matt Giteau (Western Force), Luke Burgess (NSW Waratahs); Benn Robinson (NSW Waratahs), Stephen Moore (Queensland Reds), Al Baxter (NSW Waratahs), Mark Chisholm (Brumbies), Nathan Sharpe (Western Force), Hugh McMeniman (Queensland Reds), Phil Waugh (NSW Waratahs), Richard Brown (Western Force).
Replacements: Adam Freier (NSW Waratahs), Matt Dunning (NSW Waratahs), Dean Mumm (NSW Waratahs), George Smith (Brumbies), Sam Cordingley (Queensland Reds), Quade Cooper (Queensland Reds), Lote Tuqiri (NSW Waratahs)/Adam Ashley-Cooper (Brumbies).

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