FORMER skipper Matthew Rees aims to take out his frustration on the Wallabies in Melbourne tomorrow as Wales reunite the British and Irish Lions front row.

Scarlets hooker Rees, still looking to re-establish himself after long-term injury, comes in for Ken Owens to join props Gethin Jenkins and Adam Jones, the Lions’ preferred trio during the tour of South Africa in 2009.

Also brought in are Alun Wyn Jones, replacing Luke Charteris in the second row, and Ryan Jones for the injured Toby Faletau at No8, with Ashley Beck taking over from Scott Williams in the centre. “I was frustrated at not starting last week and I am certainly looking forward to playing in the second Test,” said Rees.

“There are a few experienced boys called back into the team and it is up to us to take the team forward and make sure things happen. We don’t want to find ourselves two nil down with one game to go.

“We are one nil down at the moment and we want to make sure we get something out of this tour in terms of performance and results and there is no better way to do that than win on Saturday.”

Wales were beaten 27-19 in the first Test in Brisbane and have to get a result at the Etihad Stadium, Melbourne, to keep the series alive.

Rees and the two Joneses made a major impact off the bench last weekend and were at the heart of a second half revival that saw Wales cut the gap to a single point.

“We were disappointed with the result last Saturday. It was probably a wake up call of where we are,” admitted Rees.

“It was quite an open game in the first-half in Brisbane and it was the first time some of the boys had played together for quite a while. We were glad to have the game and will certainly be better for it.

“The pressure is certainly on to get a result and we have given ourselves a big challenge. It is a massive game for us in view of what we are going to get out of the tour.”

Wales’ caretaker coach Rob Howley is looking for the three forwards to spread their big match experience, especially in Lions’ series, throughout the side as they seek to make up ground on the Wallabies.

Wales have not beaten Australia on their own patch since 1969 and have not beaten a Tri Nations side away from home since 1987. By his own admission, last week was “a golden opportunity” gone begging and Howley knows his side can ill-afford to make another sluggish start.

“The impact all three had in the second half last week was terrific and helped us to get to grips with the intensity and the speed of the game. The impact of that experience coming off the bench certainly added value to our performance,’’ said Howley.

“We’re certainly looking for a better first half performance in Melbourne and it will be great to have that level of experience in the starting XV. The character we showed in getting back into the game, getting field position and cutting the deficit meant we had our opportunity at 20-19, but we just weren’t clinical enough.

“The players have never let us down in terms of their fitness and I’m sure we will be more up to speed with the speed and intensity of the game right from the first minute.”