Wales coach Warren Gatland has warned the Wallabies will face a “different beast” at next year’s Rugby World Cup while questioning Australia’s potential to improve.

Wales fell to a tenth straight loss to the Wallabies in Cardiff on Saturday, losing 33-28 despite outscoring them by four tries to three.

The result continued a long-running drought against southern hemisphere opposition but Gatland saw enough after a limited preparation to suggest it will be a different story when the sides meet in the group stage at next year’s tournament.

Wales were playing their first Test since June but will head into the World Cup on the back of several months together including a Six Nations campaign.

“When we face them in the World Cup, it’s going to be a different beast, a different animal that is going to be facing them in that pool game,” Gatland said.

“With four of five months together, we’ll see a big upward curve in this team as a group and individuals.

“The question is how much upside has Australia got?”

Told Gatland had questioned Australia’s ability to improve coach Michael Cheika said he expected both sides to get stronger.

“It’s all just guessing isn’t it, at the end of the day,” Cheika said.

“I think we can improve no doubt about it, not to mentioned we’ve still got some artillery (injured players) at home who will add a lot more depth.

“But I also agree with Warren Gatland that Wales will improve also and I think they’ll improve during this series (Wales’ upcoming internationals against Fiji, New Zealand and South Africa).”

Cheika had this weekend downplayed the significance of Australia’s dominant record against Wales leading into the World Cup and did so again after extending the streak to ten games.

“I’ve never seen one game have an impact on another one so far away,” he said.

Wales lost Leigh Halfpenny (concussion) and Dan Biggar (groin) to injury during the match and they’ll be assessed in the lead-up to the Test against Fiji on Saturday.