Dyer hopes to restore Welsh jersey pride in Australia

Wing Rio Dyer says Wales are striving to make the Welsh jersey "what it used to be" by gaining an elusive win in the two-Test series against Australia.

Warren Gatland's side have lost the last seven internationals which included a clean sweep of Six Nations defeats when Wales finished bottom for the first time since 2003.

They face the Wallabies in Sydney on Saturday night before the two sides meet again in Melbourne seven days later.

"We are a young tight-knit squad fighting for that same goal, to get those wins and make that Welsh jersey what it used to be," said Dyer.

"The results have not gone our way but the main thing we can take from them is how tight we are as a group.

"We are passionate and want to get those wins, hopefully we will get the rewards."

Australia have not played since the 2023 World Cup in France where they were eliminated from the group stages which included a record 40-6 defeat to Wales in Lyon.

The Wallabies have changed coaches with Joe Schmidt replacing the departed Eddie Jones. Australia start the series in ninth place in the world rankings, one place above Wales.

Dragons wing Dyer, 24, has installed the hosts as favourites.

"They have the home advantage, they're the ones who are probably the favourites at the moment," said Dyer.

"For us it's about going out in a new destination and enjoying the occasion and the moments to come."

The bookmakers agree with Dyer's assertions and Wales are comfortable with any underdogs tag.

"We will take that," said defence coach Mike Forshaw.

"It is a long time since Wales won here and it's a different challenge playing the Wallabies in Australia.

"We are looking forward to it, we are going to be competitive and want to win the game."

Forshaw believes a victory can inspire a long-term Wales revival.

"We are on that journey at the moment," said Forshaw.

"We are probably not there yet but hopefully by the end of this tour we will have taken some steps.

"We are in the business of winning rugby matches and we need to start doing that.

"As soon as that starts happening, and it will, I am confident we can go upwards over the next 12 months."