Welsh Rugby Team
Forwards coach Robin McBryde has declared that Wales face a tough as teak challenge against the world’s top three sides at the Millennium Stadium next month.
He said the opposition will be out to prove their form on Welsh soil after a bruising Tri Nations in which the mighty All Blacks came out on top.
Wales kick-off the Series against Australia before taking on World Champions South Africa and then Rugby World Cup nemesis side Fiji and finally New Zealand on back to back weekends in November in Cardiff.
And McBryde, who is combining his role with the national squad with that of forwards coach at the Scarlets for the first time this season, is looking forward to the first game of the international calendar.
“We have a hugely tough challenge ahead of us all starting with the Wallabies, who proved they are a great side with the ball in hand in the Tri Nations,” said McBryde.
“We also know exactly what to expect from New Zealand, who seem to have coped with the new law variations better than any other side in the world. Their ball retention is impressive and they just seem to be able to keep hold of possession for long periods of the game and we all know what they are like in attack.
“The Springboks didn’t have the greatest time of things in the Tri Nations, but they will be hurting from that and looking to put things right.
“Wales will be one of the first opportunities they will have to do that, so we will very much have to be on our guard.
“And we don’t have to search too far back in recent memory to know that we underestimate Fiji at our peril.”
McBryde saw his Scarlets side hold off Perpignan 43-34 in a nine try Heineken Cup thriller at Parc y Scarlets this weekend and he says he is very much relishing this first opportunity he has had to coach at regional level.
“I’m really enjoying the day to day access to the squad, my role is very similar to that with the national set-up, looking after the forwards and the set-pieces and working alongside the other coaches Nigel Davies, Simon Easterby and Mark Jones,” added McBryde.
“But it’s also something new for me I haven’t coached on a week in week out basis like this before and I’m very much relishing the challenge.
“In recent times in the Autumn I’ve been getting out to the Regions and looking at players and discussing players with coaches in advance of selection, but it’s great to be really hands on with the Scarlets going into something as intense as the Heineken Cup.
“I’m in a really privileged position and feel honoured to be a part of things at Parc y Scarlets again, but I’m also very much looking forward to getting back to national squad duty at the end of the month.”
Tickets to see Wales take on Australia, South Africa, Fiji and New Zealand this Autumn at the Millennium Stadium are available now from…Web: www.wru.co.uk/tickets Tel: 08442 777888 and to Personal callers: Cardiff Arms Store, 8 Westgate Street, Cardiff.
Saturday fixtures against the Wallabies, on 6th November, the Springboks, on 13th November and the All Blacks, on 27th November are priced at £25, £40, £60, £65 and £70, with the Friday night clash with Rugby World Cup Pool D opponents Fiji priced at just £20 and £25 with a children and concessions available for just £10.
Official hospitality packages can be purchased from just £99 per person for Wales v Fiji at the official Millennium Stadium website: www.millenniumstadium.com
Prices start at £169 for games against Australia and South Africa and from £179 for New Zealand – packages include a ticket located in the best seats of the house, a complimentary match programme and a guest speaker from the world of rugby.