Wallabies back Lote Tuqiri has described Australia A’s shock midweek defeat to Welsh regional outfit the Ospreys as a "blessing in disguise".
Tuqiri, who will move from the wing to outside centre for Saturday’s Test against Wales at the Millennium Stadium, believes the embarrassing loss has given the Australia team extra motivation for the opening Test of their European tour.
"If they (Wales) are writing us off, it’s pretty stupid," he said in the Daily Telegraph.
"I’ve heard they’re quite confident about beating us and I’ll probably give them a bit more fuel. But I don’t mind. Bring it on.
"If they’re confident, they’ve still got to perform in front of a big crowd. They’re the ones with the pressure on them.
"The Ospreys result has certainly pumped me up. Maybe that loss is a blessing in disguise."
Tuqiri was also in the Australia side which went down 24-22 to Wales in the corresponding fixture last year, but admits coach John Connolly’s shuffling of the backline has him excited by the promise of increased attacking power.
With Matt Giteau at scrum-half, fellow dual international Mat Rogers at fly-half and regular number 10 Stephen Larkham at inside centre, Tuqiri is hoping there will be plenty of opportunity for the backline to show what it can do.
"Mat Rogers likes to take on the line pretty much every time he gets the ball," Tuqiri added.
"Matt Giteau is an instinct player as well and if he sees a gap he’ll go for it – he’s not the bloke who’s just going to pass the ball the whole game.
"So it is exciting. It’s looked pretty at training too. It’s looked great."
