The Wallabies are bracing for another aerial assault against England after admitting to being exposed by Ireland’s clever kicking game.
The Irish – led by brilliant five-eighth Johnny Sexton – peppered Australia with 34 kicks in Saturday’s 26-23 win in Dublin, with many deliberately directed away from superstar fullback Israel Folau and finding open spaces.
The Wallabies’ handling under the high ball was better than in previous weeks but they’ve turned attention to improving communication and positioning at the back with England expected to employ similar tactics in the tour finale at Twickenham this weekend.
“I think there’s no secret that teams try to kick away from Izzy because he’s such a good catcher of the high ball,” said five-eighth Bernard Foley, who was targeted in his defensive role as a ‘second fullback’.
“They targeted that and they probably found us out a couple of times but it’s something we’ve addressed already this week in our review.
“All the sides we’ve played this year have used that as part of their arsenal, the high bombs, and you’ve got to be world class at catching them to counter that.
“It’s about field positioning and varying up your position to try and nullify their kicks and make them do something different.”
With Wallabies coach Michael Cheika’s gameplan favouring running rugby, Australia have kicked considerably less then their European opposition in the three Tests of the tour so far.
Foley admitted strategic kicking was an aspect he and halfback Nick Phipps were still developing at international level as they make adjustments from how their partnership works with the Waratahs in Super Rugby.
“We’ve got to develop a game that suits Test rugby,” Foley said.
“We can’t just bring that same gameplan that we do at the Waratahs.
“We’ve got to run the ball and keep defences guessing there and also kick to our advantage, rather than just kicking on the back foot when we’re out of shape.
“It’s definitely something we’ve got to develop but we’re a young side under Michael Cheika and that’s sort of all in the pipeline.”
Australia need to avoid defeat on Saturday to prevent their worst spring tour performance in nine years.
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