VERSATILE Gareth Thomas ran in five tries in Perth yesterday as Wales opened their rugby union tour of Australia with a confidence boosting 62-20 win over Western Australia.

Thomas scored two tries from, the centre and added three more after moving to the wing as Wales gave a polished performance against one of Australia's weakest provincial sides.

Coach Kevin Bowring has brought a new look side to Australia hoping to erase painful memories of their previous tour in 1991. Wales were beaten 63-6 by the Wallabies in a one off Test on that tour, the biggest losing margin for Wales in international rugby.

Yesterday, Bowring's side met immediate success, with Wales running in 10 tries. The home side's Tongan born centre Christopher Schaumkel crossed and converted his own try early in the second half, but Thomas quelled any suggestion of a fight back by Western Australia, notching three of his tries in an 11 minute spell.

The 21 year old switched to the wing after Simon Hill left the pitch in the second half with an ankle injury. Hill had scored two tries before being forced from the field.

Flanker Emyr Lewis also suffered a neck injury. Both he and Hill are unlikely to be available for the next match against Australian Capital Territory on Sunday.

Wales will play five more provincial matches, including that against ACT, as well as two Tests against Australia, in Brisbane on June 8th and Sydney on June 22nd.