Wales have flown somewhat under the radar in the build-up to the Rugby World Cup.
No longer. There was enough in their 16-10 win against Ireland on Saturday to make one think that there is no one threat to the Wallabies' chances of progression from their group greater than the other. Wales are strong where the Wallabies are strongest. In Sam Warburton, who sat out the Dublin game, and Justin Tipuric, who deputised for him and won man of the match, they have two opensides who are both better than English captain Chris Robshaw. This Welsh side have a great appetite, and capacity, to play without the ball.
That's not a criticism disguised as a compliment. It fact, it gives Wales another strong string to their bow, a tool to control the tempo. 
The focus is always on how teams use the ball - it is only ever half the story. They can play, of course, the Welsh. But when you watch the likes of Bradley Davies and Alun Wyn Jones tow back great lumps of Irishmen across the gainline or Leigh Halfpenny put his body under the ball in the last minute to save a try, you know you're watching a team that actually likes defending. Witness Gethin Jenkins as another example. The loose-head cut a revitalised figure in Dublin but has not lost his trademark prowess over the ball.
As for Dan Lydiate, he was outstanding in No.6, frequently as the first man to meet the Irish ball carriers. If the Wallabies opt for David Pocock and Michael Hooper in the back row, the Welsh could conceivably respond with Lydiate, Warburton and Tipuric. They are one of the few sides in the world that could meet fire with fire.
They also like kicking. Wales launched three midfield bombs within the first 10 minutes. Accordingly, Welsh coach Warren Gatland's post-match comments that Ireland "don't play much rugby" must have been met with rolled eyes in the home sheds. That claim may have some truth but if Wales kick six penalties to three unconverted Wallabies tries on   October 10 the New Zealander will be celebrating a job well done not questioning how aesthetically pleasing the points were.
It's kicking with purpose though, and they use players in slightly different ways than the norm to exert pressure on the ball. For example, against Ireland No.10 Dan Biggar was often sent up as the chaser, making use of his bravery in the air. And in Halfpenny and No.9 Rhys Webb they have two players who are accurate with their contested kicks.
In fact, Webb is class all-round. The Wallabies already know about his running game from his try last year in Cardiff and he has matured into a top-class Test No.9. He's strong, quick, has a good wide pass, even has a bit of arrogance about him in a good way. He could be one of the players of the World Cup. Biggar has also improved significantly. He's barely recognisable from the 2014 model. He is making his decisions quickly and his distribution has an extra bit of pace on it. Confidence is a wonderful thing.
Wales' attack needs work. When No.13 Scott Williams made a clean break in the seventh minute it was the sort of opportunity that the Wallabies would convert eight out of 10 times, yet the Welsh fluffed it. They can't win the World Cup until they start making those moments count. Yet the way they controlled the defensive breakdown, pressed Ireland No.10 Johnny Sexton into a number of poor kicks with their great line speed and dominated the collisions is a challenge for the Wallabies. Gatland is a shrewd man. He got Wales out of a very tough group in 2011, and they played tournament-style rugby on Saturday with the suggestion of quite a bit more to come. The Group of Death is looking ever more ghastly.
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