Wallabies Aim To Pounce On Wounded Lions

Schmidt's side keen to improve on record as British and Irish Lions arrive for three Tests

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SYDNEY - Australia coach Joe Schmidt is confident the Wallabies can be competitive against the British and Irish Lions, but he will be wary of a side wounded by a loss to Argentina in a Dublin warmup.

Andy Farrell's squad arrived in Perth on June 22 already feeling the pressure after Argentina exploited their lack of familiarity and cohesion in a rousing 28-24 victory on June 20.

While far from the ideal send-off for a nine-game tour, which includes Tests in Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney, Farrell has time to fine-tune.

He was without the bulk of his Leinster players against the slick Pumas, and his options are a lot stronger now that they are involved.

"We need to be a lot better than that. And we will. We'll dust ourselves off but that will concentrate the minds," he said.

The first Test in Brisbane is not until July 19 after five lead-in games, starting against a Nic White-led Western Force on June 28, before meeting the Queensland Reds four days later.

Clashes against the NSW Waratahs, ACT Brumbies and a combined Australia-New Zealand XV will follow.