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SYDNEY - Wales rugby coach Gareth Jenkins has lashed out at the Australian media for criticising the selection of the Welsh squad on tour down under.
At least 18 top players are missing from the squad for the two-test tour, but Jenkins said he was surprised by the level of criticism.
Public interest in the match has been unusually low-key and local newspapers were quick to seize on the Wales team's decision not to permit daily media access to their players.
"Thanks for nothing," the Sydney Morning Herald wrote.
"The Welsh aren't being very sociable guests," added The Daily Telegraph.
Jenkins later released a statement via the Welsh rugby union's official website.
"I must admit I'm a bit taken aback by the attitude towards our squad selection in Australia," he said.
"We were able to bring a hungry bunch of players out to Australia some of whom did not get the chance, for whatever reason, to play international rugby earlier in the season.
"A hungry group of players, 15 with 20-caps or more of international experience and containing six British Lions and a captain who is one game away from becoming the most capped Welshman in rugby history."
Wales face Australia in Sydney on May 26 and in Brisbane on June 2. The two teams are also drawn in the same group at this year's World Cup but Jenkins said that had nothing to do with their selections.
"There is no doubt that these games are all about World Cup preparation, that's what will ultimately take our focus, but the team themselves will be focused on being competitive on Saturday and the week after," Jenkins said.
"The players at home have no guarantee of making our World Cup squad and we are very lucky to have a group of players with us who will not be giving up the shirts they hold easily.
"Everybody knows we are in a World Cup year and it's a unique set of circumstances.
"We all have our own way of preparing and in the Northern Hemisphere this period is one in which we get a chance to re-energise one group of players and find out more about another."
- REUTERS
