Wallabies just a 'smidgen' better

Wales do not have a mental block against Australia, despite being on a nine-match losing streak against the Wallabies.

Welsh captain Sam Warburton feels his team is on the verge of ending that run and getting that much-needed win when they face the Aussies in Cardiff on Saturday – to start their year-end campaign on a positive note.

This weekend's encounter looms as crucial ahead of the sides' meeting at next year's World Cup, but Warburton insists the problem isn't mental.

''Australia have obviously been that smidgen better than we have been over those nine fixtures,'' Warburton said.

''It's not a psychological barrier,"he added.

''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 [Southern Hemisphere] teams if we are to be considered one of the best in the world.''

Injuries have forced Wales into a selection surprise with big winger George North pushed into outside centre after injuries sidelined midfielders Jonathan Davies and Scott Williams.

North made headlines when he famously man-handled Israel Folau during the British and Irish Lions' successful tour to Australia last year and his move infield has set the stage for another exciting duel.

''He'll bring a lot of size to that midfield so I'm sure the guys that get picked at 12 and 13 for us will certainly have a lot of traffic coming at them,'' Folau said of North.

''I think the last few games I've played against George have been quite exciting and it'll be much the same this weekend.''

Source: Australian Associated Press