Warburton not counting on Welsh luck

Sam Warburton has delivered a brutally honest appraisal of Wales’ long losing run against Australia, admitting: "You are not unlucky nine times in a row."

Wales have not toppled the Wallabies since tries by Shane Williams and Lee Byrne underpinned a 21-18 Millennium Stadium success six years ago.

Nine successive defeats have followed — five of those reversals were by four points or less — with the countries’ rivalry set for another airing in Cardiff on Saturday.

“Australia have obviously been that smidge better than we have been over those nine fixtures,” Wales skipper Warburton said.

“It’s not a psychological barrier. The first time I came into the squad was on the back of beating them in 2008, so you always have the belief when playing these teams.

“It is a massive opportunity for the squad and it is coming to the time, which we have said year after year, with the World Cup on the horizon and the senior players in the group, that we really do have to get a win over one of these teams if we are to be considered one of the best in the world.”

Wales assistant coach Rob Howley says Wales are “more than comfortable” with switching juggernaut wing George North into the centre against Australia.

North will partner Jamie Roberts in midfield after injuries sidelined centres Jonathan Davies (shoulder) and Scott Williams (hamstring). However, both could be fit for next week’s appointment with Fiji.

“George has gone there (centre) before, having been selected against France last season and gone there against Australia (last autumn),” Howley said.

“With his pace and guile and ability to beat players, we are more than comfortable with that partnership.”

Meanwhile, Owen Farrell has shrugged off concerns over his fitness by declaring himself ready to mastermind England’s assault on New Zealand at Twickenham this weekend.

Farrell has started just two matches for Saracens this season and just once since September 20 after spending a month on the sidelines treating a quad strain.

Such is England’s faith in the 23-year-old that he will start against the All Blacks on the strength of having finished a Champions Cup game against Munster a fortnight earlier.

“The Munster game showed I can play a full game of rugby, but I’ve felt good for a bit longer than that,” Farrell said.

“I’ve kept up to speed with everything, made sure I’ve done my work off the field and also kept up with my skills on it. So if I was selected, I’d be confident.”