JONATHAN DAVIES marked his international comeback with a 14-point contribution to Wales yesterday but admitted: "I was frightened."

It was eight years since Davies last appeared for Wales. "I was a little bit in awe. I was a bit apprehensive coming back against such a side like Australia. I was a bit frightened but once I got into it I was OK."

He admitted he was under a lot of pressure before his first game following his return from rugby league last year. "Hopefully it won't be like that in other games if I am selected. But I'm always nervous before every game - the day I stop being nervous is the day I finish. But I thoroughly enjoyed the game. It was a great occasion and it was good to be part of it, playing against a great rugby team."

The 34-year-old former Widnes and Warriagton rugby league star felt Australia's first try should have been disallowed for a David Campese knock-on.

"I was quite surprised it was awarded but it was pointless asking the referee once he'd made the decision. It was a blatant knock-on and that's the way it goes. I do not think they were very powerful up front but we just could not get any momentum."

Asked how he compared his game yesterday to his performances before he switched codes eight years ago, Davies quipped: "I've had so many knocks on the head since then I don't know what I was like eight years ago."

Coach Kevin Bowring was pleased with the progress his side has made in the months since they were well beaten twice in their Tests against the Wallabies in Australia last summer.

Said Bowring: "The fact that we were in contention until the end of the game is a credit to all the hard work we have been doing. We are trying to build but I think our controlling could have been a bit better. Because we contested the game for 80 minutes, we caused them to grind out a hard-earned victory."