Gethin Jenkins claims Wales will be a better rugby team for being knocked off “cloud nine” by the Wallabies.
The veteran prop admitted the Welsh arrived in Australia elated at their grand slam effort in the Six Nations.
Jenkins noted there were hard lessons doled out in the 27-19 defeat in Brisbane, but says they will be beneficial in the long run.
The Wallabies hit back from their shock midweek 9-6 defeat to Scotland to leave Wales with plenty to do to get back into the three-Test series.
And their task was made even tougher by the news Toby Faletau is out of the rest of the tour after breaking his hand in that first Test loss.
Jenkins, an 88-cap veteran, knows better than most how hard it is to beat the best of the southern hemisphere having won just once and drawn once in 23 games against Tri-Nations sides.
“For a lot of the youngsters it was the first time they had played in the southern hemisphere,” Jenkins said.
“Some of them were still walking on cloud nine a bit after winning the Grand Slam at home.
“But we all learned it is a different kettle of fish and you do well to win in the southern hemisphere.
“People had been talking us up but I realise how hard it is to play against Australia, even when they are missing a few quality players.
“We will really have to tighten up before next week. We have got to be right at the top of our game to get anywhere near a win down here.
“They are never an easy team to play against. You only have to give them a sniff and they make the most of it.”
Defeat brought an end to Wales’ six-match unbeaten run this year.
Wales now meet Super Rugby outfit the Brumbies on Tuesday night – lock Luke Charteris the only survivor from Brisbane in the team – before heading to Melbourne for the second Test.
Wales caretaker coach Ron Howley on Sunday called up Melbourne Rebels’ Gareth Delve from outside his original 34-man squad as a replacement for Faletau, who will fly home to have his injury further assessed.
Former Gloucester captain Delve won the last of his 11 caps in 2010, and he was at yesterday’s game in a radio commentary capacity.
Wing George North will undergo intensive treatment on a haematoma to his thigh in a bid to get him fit for the Melbourne match.
North was forced off during the first half of yesterday’s encounter, and he is crucial to Wales’ hopes of squaring the series.
