British and Irish Lions

Springbok skipper John Smit has praised Shaun Edwards, the man who will lead the Lions' defence in South Africa next summer, following the 20-15 win over Wales at the Millennium Stadium.

The world champions scored two tries against Edwards' Grand Slam winners but the first came from turnover ball following an up and under and the second was an interception.

Smit, who switched from hooker to tighthead prop for the Cardiff clash, believes defence is an area in which Wales have greatly improved since Edwards came on board earlier this year.

"Certainly the greatest aspect (of their improvement) is their defence," said Smit, whose side scored 34 points when they last visited the Welsh capital 12 months ago.

"They stopped us from playing the kind of rugby that we want to play. You could see that it was an aspect that they had worked on.

"There was certainly a frustration (for the Boks in attack). A lot of the rugby we prepared for and trained for, we couldn't really enact, so their defence was certainly up on the button."

The Waratahs upset the odds by beating Super Rugby leaders the Brumbies 28-22, but the game came at a huge cost to Qantas Wallabies coach Robbie Deans.

Lions skipper Sam Warburton says the lessons he and his Welsh colleagues learnt in Australia last summer will stand them in good stead for their return visit with Britain and Ireland's elite next month.