Kuridrani wary of special talent Davies

The two sides meet at Principality Stadium with the home outfit looking to end a run of 12 straight defeats against the Wallabies.

Kuridrani and Scarlets ace Davies – who was named player of the series for the British & Irish Lions against New Zealand last summer – are set to go head-to-head.

“Wales have always had a big midfield and I think one of the biggest challenges for me will be lining up against Davies,” said Brumbies ace Kuridrani.

“He’s a world-class player and I am looking forward to that meeting.

“I watched him play on the Lions tour and he’s got everything. He can run, he can kick and he’s very skilful so I rate him really highly.

“We have a new combination in the centre ourselves so we will be trying to adapt in order to get our combination right. We will see how it goes at the weekend.”

Wales haven’t beaten Australia since 2008 and have injury doubts over scrum-half Rhys Webb and flanker Justin Tipuric.

Davies, so impressive for the Scarlets this season, is in line to start at outside centre with Gatland indicating he will select a ball-playing centre in the No 12 jersey.

Owen Williams, Rhys Patchell and Owen Watkin are contenders for the role, but Kuridrani is convinced he knows what sort of threat Wales are going to bring.

“We are expecting the same thing from Wales,” said the 55-times capped international, a man who boasts a formidable presence in the Australian back division.

“They will be direct and physical and they will try and smash us up in the front line.

“The northern hemisphere teams always play direct rugby, so we are expecting them to be the same this weekend.”

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