Sharpe ready for Wales

Nathan Sharpe: Expecting Wales to hit back

Australia lock Nathan Sharpe insists Saturday's second Test against Wales will be very different to the series opener.

Australia bounced back from their shock defeat to Scotland to clinch a 27-19 victory over the Six Nations champions in Brisbane.

However Sharpe is expecting Wales to come back at the Wallabies in Melbourne.

"We are not basing too much on last weekend's game," Sharpe said.

"We were just happy to win that game and start the series well. This weekend's Test match will be a real test for both teams.

"The intensity will be up, both teams have had a bit of a feel as to how each other play and therefore are going to adapt their game."

Wales warmed up for the match with a 25-15 win over the Brumbies in Canberra on Tuesday, with Alun Wyn Jones, James Hook and Justin Tipuric scoring tries for the winners.

And the 34-year-old Sharpe thinks the visitors will take plenty out of that victory and says they will be confident this weekend.

Confidence

"Any time a touring group plays and they win, it really unites the group," he said.

"They will have a bit of confidence off the back of that. A lot of the guys weren't playing the game but that confidence will still flow into the Test match.

"They won the Six Nations tournament. They are a very good side. We expect them to bounce back hard this weekend."

Wallabies inside centre Pat McCabe also believes Wales will put in an improved performance and he tipped the breakdown as a crucial area in the contest.

"It's always hard travelling here from Wales and that's their first game in quite a long time," McCabe said.

"They will be better for the run as we will be. It will be interesting to see what they take from the last game and where they try and come at us. I think the breakdown will be a huge area for both teams and one we have put a lot of time into."