Welsh wizard welcomes Wallabies all-star cast

WALES star Shane Williams’ face lights up at the prospect of a Millennium Stadium appointment with Australia’s smiling assassins today.

The Wallabies’ all-singing, all-dancing production is currently captivating the rugby world.

After taking Hong Kong by storm last Saturday, the Australian dream machine has now pitched up in Cardiff with the same all-star cast that gained rave reviews following a stunning victory over Tri Nations champions New Zealand.

Williams, Wales’ great entertainer who has scored 51 tries in 73 Tests, relates easily to the genial attacking qualities of Australian backs like Quade Cooper, Matt Giteau, Adam Ashley-Cooper, James O’Connor and Kurtley Beale.

“I enjoy playing against Australia — it is usually a very open game,” said Williams. “You have two back-lines that aren’t afraid to have a go, not afraid to attack defensive lines.

“Tactically, the game is changing week in, week out. Last year against them (Australia won 33-12), we lost the aerial battle. They kicked to compete a lot better than us, and that probably lost us the game.

“Who knows what Australia side we are going to face on Saturday? That’s the good thing about rugby at the moment, teams are tinkering with the way they play.

“But you never want to get drawn into playing a game the opposition wants to play — 99 times out of 100, they are the games you lose.”

Williams goes head to head with his fellow wing O’Connor, the player whose two tries and nerveless last-kick conversion saw Australia home against New Zealand six days ago.

Fly-half Cooper though, is arguably the single biggest threat, given his penchant for all things unconventional.

“O’Connor hasn’t had that much experience at international level, but he certainly plays as if he has. He’s very exciting,” added Williams.

“What I like about him is he’s not only a good finisher, but he works hard to get involved in the game. That’s the sign of a good player.

“Cooper is great for the game, full stop. I think he’s a great player. With the ball, when he’s attacking and the way he works players off him, at the moment there is no better player out there.”

The feeling is mutual, with Cooper saying of Williams: “If you kick badly to him he is going to run it back and score a try that will be all over the news and on YouTube, so that’s not something you want to do.”

Cooper hopes Australia’s forwards can continue to give him and his Wallaby backline enough possession to show off the “backyard” rugby that has won them so many plaudits.

Asked where their style of play stemmed from, Cooper joked: “From the backyard I guess.

“There’s a lot of enjoyment in being out there playing with your mates on the international stage.

“It’s a dream come true and when you enjoy yourself you are going to be more entertaining, not just for the viewers but for us as a team.

“If we play a brand of rugby that is good to watch and be a part of hopefully it can become a winning sort of style.”