Warren Gatland hopes Wales can handle the pressure against Australia

Wales head coach Warren Gatland wants his players to show they can handle the pressure of being favourites for Saturday's clash against Australia.

Despite suffering 13 successive losses to the Wallabies, Wales are fancied in many quarters to end that run this weekend.

While Wales are on a six-match winning run against all opponents this year, Australia have claimed just three victories from 10 starts in 2018.

"We are disappointed with the run of losses we've had against them," Gatland said.

"But if you look at how close a lot of those games have been, I think there's been something like seven points, the difference between us and them on average over that period.

"This game is important for the next 12 months. It is not the most important, the pool game at the World Cup (next year) is going to be the most important one.

"This will definitely be important from a confidence point of view, and yes, it's been well-documented that they are under different sorts of pressures than we are, but the pressure for us is being favourites and being able to handle it.

"The one thing about Australian teams is that you write them off at your peril. They are competitors in whatever sport.

"They realise the pressure that is being put on them in terms of coming up to the northern hemisphere and having a successful autumn campaign. That is pretty evident that is the message that is being delivered to them.

"We are aware of that, but we can only control what is in front of us and our own preparation."

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