The Welsh drew 29-29 against the Wallabies and they used that as a base on which to tackle today's opponents.

Mark Jones, James Hook, Kevin Morgan and Lee Byrne put Wales 31-5 ahead and Ceri Sweeney scored a fifth try after the interval to finish with a personal haul of 18 points.

The Islanders, who had scored through Justin Va'a in the first half, lacked nothing in ambition and came back at Wales after the break with tries from Seilala Mapasua and Kameli Ratuvou.

"At the start of the Australia game they came out and caught us but the squad showed their spirit there and that helped us for this week," said Jones.

"There is a lot of competition for places and it is a good environment to be in. When it comes to selection everyone is trying to get into the starting team

"But we take it every game at a time and try to build our performances."

Man of the match Sonny Parker added: "I really enjoyed it. I haven't played a game like that for a while.

"They came out and wanted to play some rugby and that was really hard to defend.

"It is excellent for us. The guys had to prove themselves today and personally I think they did very well."

Wales head coach Gareth Jenkins declared himself satisfied with his side's victory - the first of his tenure.

 "It is a nice feeling - it was an enjoyable Test and for us it was a job well done," he said.

"We had to make more tackles than in most games, we defended well, we were efficient, we had a good set piece in both the lineout and the scrum, we defended particularly well and we scored tries when we had to.

"We had a good score at half time. We never felt the game was over, we had to work hard and got a good result.

"It has been particularly pleasing from my point of view. I am happy where we are. The draw last week was about what we deserved. We changed selection this week and it has been a very positive camp. This result will give us more determination.

"I have got selection headaches, there is no doubt at all about that, and that is a good place to be."

The Islanders were under-prepared after only coming together last weekend and head coach Pat Lam praised Wales' ability to take advantage of that early on.

But he was encouraged by the second half performance as the Islanders prepare to face Scotland and Ireland.

"We got off to a bad start and looked like a team that has just come together. Wales put us under a lot of pressure and they looked very good when they were going forward. They are really attacking," said Lam, who played in three victories over Wales for Samoa.

"We clawed our way back into the game when we managed to hold onto the ball.

"At half time we talked about positioning, looking after the ball and using the ball. We were outstanding in the second half.

"When we get a plan and the boys get used to it we will be OK. But all credit to Wales, they scored some great tries."

Jenkins is a firm supporter of the Pacific Islands concept.

"I believe the concept of Pacific Islands rugby is a great one. They showed today how much talent they have got. Given time and investment I think they will bring something special to world rugby," he said.

"They came out with plenty of pride and played with that. They will be a threat to any team in world.

"If you look at the results of all four games [the Islanders played New Zealand, Australia and South Africa in 2004] they have played they have scored 20 points every time."

Two of Wales' first-half tries were gifted interceptions for Hook and Byrne, but Islanders assistant coach Shane Howarth, the former Wales international, was impressed with his old side.

"They play the game the right way. They don't mind running from deep but can also play a good tactical game," he said.

"Gareth has them on the right path and they capitalised on our mistakes, which good teams should do."

Hook, making his first Wales start at the Millennium Stadium, added: "I just came up in defence and the guys just gave me the ball really and I went under the sticks.

"You have to watch your blindspots against them but we were just as physical. The first 30 minutes we took the fizz out of them.

"They didn't really have an answer to us in the first half. I think the boys did well.

"Sonny Parker played out of his skin today and deserved the man of the match award.

"It gives us confidence going into the Canada game. The boys are buzzing now and looking forward to the Canada game on Friday."