Wales demand breakdown clarity
Wales have questioned the legitimacy of the Wallabies breakdown tactics and want a meeting with the referee before this weekend's third Test in Sydney, assistant coach Shaun Edwards said on Monday.
Australia have an unassailable series lead after winning 27-19 in Brisbane and 25-23 in Melbourne against the Six Nations champions.
While the Welsh defence was magnificent last weekend in Melbourne, Edwards highlighted the breakdown – the period after a tackle where the teams compete for possession of the ball – as an area Wales needed to rectify.
"I think the contact area, we'll continue to work on that," Edwards told reporters.
"It's something we've always prided ourselves on and obviously [Australian captain and openside flank David] Pocock is a threat and I still feel a little bit that legs are being held together when we are trying to present the ball.
"Obviously, we'll speak to the referee about that at certain times."
Edwards said the Welsh wanted to be more accurate in their lineout and win the territory battle.
"It's something we've struggled [with] quite a bit against Australia in past encounters and last weekend was a good example," he said.
Edwards said he expected everyone in the squad to be fit and available for Saturday's final Test and stressed Wales still had plenty to play for despite losing the series to a last-minute penalty.
"You could just sense obviously a huge disappointment, an opportunity definitely missed," Edwards said.
"But hopefully as the week progresses that will slowly turn into a determination to not leave your beautiful shores without a victory in a Test match."
Wales are bidding for their first Test win in Australia for 43 years.
"If we win the Test on Saturday, it will be the first time in the professional era since 1969 that Wales have won a Test in the southern hemisphere. So that's a big goal to shoot for," Edwards said.
AFP
