Matt Giteau has given up the Wallabies' goalkicking duties after a recent run of poor form with the boot.

Winger James O'Connor will replace Giteau as Australia's first-choice kicker after knocking over a wide conversion to down the All Blacks in Hong Kong last Saturday.

Giteau booted just one from four in the 26-24 win over NZ, the latest Test in which his kicking has been out-of-sorts.

The Australian centre also struggled this year in narrow losses to England and New Zealand at ANZ Stadium in Sydney.

Coach Robbie Deans said after the breakthrough win at Hong Kong Stadium Giteau's kicking form would not be a major factor in him holding his place in the Wallabies' line-up.

The 28-year-old was replaced midway through the second half by Berrick Barnes.

Meanwhile, defence has been on Wallabies skipper Rocky Elsom's mind despite the euphoria of victory.

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 last 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 in Hong Kong Cooper could improve his technique, but applauded the five-eighth's willingness to get his body in the way.

He said replacing Giteau with renowned defender, and playmaker, 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 affect," 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.

"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."

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