‘Records are meant to be broken,’ says Dewi Lake on Australia’s drought

Dewi Lake insists records “are meant to be broken” as Wales look to claim their first win over Australia in Australia in 55 years.

Wales captain Lake will lead his side out in Sydney on Saturday as they look to avoid an eighth successive defeat.

Wales last won a Test match in the group stages of the 2023 World Cup, beating Georgia, while the Wallabies have won 11 consecutive Tests against the side in Australia since a 19-16 defeat in 1969.

Lake knows what it takes to overcome adversity, having featured in Wales’ win over South Africa in Bloemfontein two years ago.

And in Wales’ last meeting with Australia – in the World Cup in Lyon – Wales won 40-6, meaning the Wallabies were quickly eliminated.

Since then Wales have suffered a series of defeats, including in the Six Nations, and Australia are now coached by former Ireland manager Joe Schmidt, who has replaced Eddie Jones.

“Records like that (Wales’ defeats in Australia) are meant to be broken,” Lake said.

“It gives us a great opportunity, a great benchmark of what this group can change or leave behind.

“It’s another factor that’s driving us, adding to our seven-game losing streak. It’s another thing that can get the boys in the right frame of mind.

“Test rugby is about winning. Winning is our goal every time we go out on the pitch and that is the main goal on Saturday.

“No Welsh team has won here since 1969 and we know it won’t be easy but we’re looking forward to getting out on the pitch and we’re confident in our ability.”

Wales coach Warren Gatland has fielded just three starters – Liam Williams, Gareth Thomas and Aaron Wainwright – who demolished Australia last autumn.

Gloucester’s 20-year-old Josh Hathaway will make his first international appearance on the wing, with Ben Thomas linking up the attack.

Thomas last played for Wales in 2021 and is usually a centre-half for Cardiff, but he now becomes Gatland’s sixth different No. 10 since the New Zealander began his second stint as head coach ahead of the 2023 Six Nations.

Sydney-born Archie Griffin, a mainstay of the Bath scrum, is starting as a mainstay of the scrum and Gatland admitted the position has become difficult in terms of squad depth.

“The tighthead position is probably where we’re most exposed,” he said.

“We just didn’t have a consistent tighthead who played week in and week out. The last one was probably Tomas Francis, who’s in France.

“He (Francis) hasn’t retired from international rugby but we need to get someone on the pitch and get some experience.

“Archie is explosive and technically excellent. Unfortunately in the Six Nations he got injured early on so it’s good to see him back.”

Meanwhile, number eight Wainwright becomes the latest member of the Wales club to reach 50 caps, with Gatland adding: “I just like the way he has developed as a player.

“After the Springboks game last week, (South African striker) Faf de Klerk said: ‘Your number eight is a tough player’.

“We saw his footwork and ball carrying developing and I challenged him because I thought he was capable of reaching higher levels.”