Sharpe: Focused ahead of the next Wales match

Australia clinched the first of the three-match series against the Six Nations champions with a 27-19 success at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane.

But Wales entered the game having played just once at international level since March, while the Wallabies had played four days previously against Scotland.

And because of that, Sharpe is expecting Saturday's clash in at Etihad Stadium in Melbourne to be a different proposition.

"We are not basing too much on last weekend's game," Sharpe told reporters today.

"We were just happy to win that game and start the series well. This weekend's Test match will be a real test for both teams.

"The intensity will be up, both teams have had a bit of a feel as to how each other play and therefore are going to adapt their game."

The 34-year-old veteran says Australia will head into the match much fresher than they did last week and feels the extra time together as a group will only help the side.

"It feels like we have had a fortnight to prepare for this game after last week," Sharpe said.

"If we sit back and relax because we have got a couple of extra days to get ready, it won't work for us on Saturday night...so we are very focused.

"What it does do is allow us to build a bit more cohesion as a unit and understand the things and philosophies that we want to take forward as a team."

Wales warmed up for the match with a 25-15 win over the Brumbies in Canberra on Tuesday, with Alun Wyn Jones, James Hook and Justin Tipuric scoring tries for the winners.

Sharpe thinks the visitors will take plenty out of that victory and says they will be confident this weekend.

"Any time a touring group plays and they win, it really unites the group. They will have a bit of confidence off the back of that. A lot of the guys weren't playing the game but that confidence will still flow into the Test match.

"They won the Six Nations tournament. They are a very good side. We expect them to bounce back hard this weekend."

Wallabies inside centre Pat McCabe also believes Wales will put in an improved performance and he tipped the breakdown as a crucial area in the contest.

"It's always hard travelling here from Wales and that's their first game in quite a long time," McCabe said.

"They will be better for the run as we will be. It will be interesting to see what they take from the last game and where they try and come at us. I think the breakdown will be a huge area for both teams and one we have put a lot of time into."