Wallabies skipper Rocky Elsom was quick to nominate the area most in need of improvement amidst the euphoria of last Saturday's breakthrough win over the All Blacks.

Australia's defence, he pointed out, needed attention.

It wasn't hard to see why as small Wallabies midfielders - in particular, Quade Cooper - were bowled backwards by the juggernaut that is Ma'a Nonu.

But the problem is even bigger than Nonu.

The game may have changed with new interpretations at the breakdown promoting attack, but the Wallabies in this year's Tri-Nations let more than double the amount of tries in than they did in 2009.

The figure was 21 this year to 10 in '09, or one every 4.9 minutes of the time the opposition had the ball.

They began the season defending well but have let an average of 33 points per game past them in their past six matches.

Playing the world No.1 and, until recently, No.2 sides in a tournament has its challenges and, while the attacking prowess and belief have grown, the Wallabies' defence has suffered.

Coach Robbie Deans conceded after the 26-24 win in Hong Kong that Cooper could improve his technique, but applauded the five-eighth's willingness to get his body in the way.

He said replacing inside centre Matt Giteau with renowned defender, and playmaker, Berrick Barnes was an "attacking move".

And he is adamant the partnership of 92kg Cooper and 85kg Giteau is not the issue.

"Everyone uses what they've got to best effect," Deans said.

"The relativities can be significant but it's more about the way you come together as a group and the way you defend as a group.

"While individuals have got to take ownership and are responsible for their part of it, the way you combine is probably the critical element and some of the smallest men are the best defenders."

Despite the Wallabies giving away 44 and 39 points in South Africa during the Tri-Nations, Elsom narrowed the issue to the All Blacks clash when asked to elaborate on his comments in Hong Kong.

"The game the other night was very fast so that has an impact on it," he said.

"Also they're one of the better sides going around so, being ranked No.1, you'd expect them to have a pretty good attack.

"We obviously want to work on that, we let some line breaks through and they obviously scored some tries so we're going to keep working until we consistently shut teams out."

The characterful win also masked some issues with Australia's scrum and lineout, but Deans hinted selectors would stay loyal to the side which got the job done against NZ for Saturday's (Sunday morning AEST) Test at the Millennium Stadium.

Wales, meanwhile, have suffered more injury problems with centre Jonathan Davies withdrawing from the squad with an ankle injury.

He joins fullback Lee Byrne, winger Leigh Halfpenny and forwards Ryan Jones and Rob McCusker on the sidelines.

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