Rugby Championship 2018: Australia vs South Africa: 3 things which could help the Wallabies win

3. Strengthening the defence

Kurtley Beale

Australia were demolished by the scintillating Kiwi counter-attacks in the last 2 matches. Beuaden Barret scored 4 tries alone in the last test as he proved to be too fast for a sluggish Wallabies’ defence. Most of those tries were scored from turnover balls and the Australian defence had no answer to the swift Kiwi counter-attacks. The tendency to concede tries has been prominent since the last season as Australia conceded 8 tries against Scotland in 2017.

There have been too many misplaced passes and missed tackles by Australia in the recent tests and Cheika would have to address that issue. Australia missed more than 40 tackles in their last test. While defending a break-down, at least 2-3 players should remain behind the main defensive line and protect the try line. The other players should also pick themselves fast and be in a position to defend after losing possession.

Centres like Kurtley Beale should also go for some diving tackles or tackles from behind. They should try to learn something from a past great like Brian O’Driscoll who used to protect his own 22 fiercely with his forceful tackles. South Africa would not be nearly as fast as the All Blacks in their attacks but Australia would still have to defend better if they are to beat the Springboks.