Wales to see the best of Gatland - Howley

Warren Gatland and Rob Howley have worked together with Wasps, Wales and the British and Irish Lions

Men’s international friendly: Australia v Wales

Venue: AAMI Park, Melbourne Date: Saturday, 13 July Kick off: 10:45 BST

Coverage: Listen on BBC Radio Wales, Radio Cymru, 5 Sports Extra, BBC Sounds, the BBC Sport website and app, plus live text commentary, followed by report and reaction on the BBC Sport website and app.

Rob Howley says Wales will see Warren Gatland at his best, as the head coach tries to turn around the flagging fortunes of the men's national side.

Gatland's side are looking to avoid a ninth successive international defeat as they bid to level the series against Australia in Melbourne on Saturday.

The 25-16 first Test defeat in Sydney was Gatland's 14th defeat in 20 matches since he returned for a second stint in charge in December 2022.

After Wales reached the 2023 World Cup quarter-final, Gatland's side have lost eight Tests in a row and finished bottom of the Six Nations for the first time since 2003.

Howley was part of the Wales coaching staff that guided the side to world number one with 14 successive victories in 2018 and 2019.

He was also involved in the coaching team that suffered eight defeats in 2012 and 2013, with Wales' record losing sequence standing at 10 under Steve Hansen in 2002 and 2003.

Gatland is preparing Wales for the final international of the season and hoping they can finish the series against the Wallabies on level terms.

"That is where you see Warren Gatland at his best through his experience that he has," said Wales assistant coach Howley.

"Not many of us have experienced the number of losses that we have had but Warren said after the game [in Sydney] it is what it is.

"We keep challenging our players to improve individually and collectively.

"We back our players' decisions. We hope at some point through that experience of these players playing more international games, we will get over the line.

"We have to keep knocking at the door, working hard, trusting your systems and keep believing.

"Warren does that very well."

Coping with confident Australians

Australia started the Joe Schmidt era with victory and will be hoping to wrap up the series.

"Aussies are always confident and we don't expect anything different," said Howley.

"We expected the best version of Australia last week, when you look at that team and the experience they have in the forwards, Rob Valetini was outstanding for them.

"We expect Australia to go up another level, by understanding Joe Schmidt and the mentality he brings.

"We have focused on ourselves, making sure we get our own house in order and hopefully we are in the Test match on 70 minutes and we can get that win."