Playmaker Ben Donaldson insists the Wallabies bear no scars from their last Test against Fiji as the Pacific islanders loom as a giant threat to Australia’s build-up for the British and Irish Lions.
The Wallabies have just one match, against the Fiji Water Flying Fijians in Newcastle next Sunday, to prepare for their first Test against the touring Lions in Brisbane on July 19.
In their last clash at the 2023 Rugby World Cup, the Fijians effectively derailed Australia’s campaign in their pool match, cracking their first win since 1954.
Donaldson is one of ten players left in the squad that crashed 23-15 in Saint-Etienne and insisted the Wallabies had well and truly moved on.
He says it wasn’t a great day for them or Australian Rugby, but that is in the past now, and they just look forward.
Donaldson says they have not really talked about the past as they have been taking what comes day by day and getting better each day as an individual and as a team.
He adds it has been two years now, and a lot of boys have grown since then and played superbly in Super Rugby and had Test match experience and they are full of confidence in everyone in the squad.
Donaldson felt the pressure of that World Cup had built experience and resilience, which would hold them in good stead against the elite four-nation selection.
He adds the experience of the World Cup and playing in that Fiji game definitely helped a lot of them move forward.
The Wallabies will host the Flying Fijians at 3.30pm next Sunday at Newcastle International Sports Centre.
The Flying Fijians will then play Scotland on July 12th at 3pm at the HFC Bank Stadium in Suva.
[Source: AAP]
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