Wales defence coach Shaun Edwards says the Wallabies are missing John Muggleton and his team has detected areas of their defence to exploit.

Long-serving former Wallabies defence mentor Muggleton was cut loose when Robbie Deans became head coach in 2008.

A former rugby league international like Edwards, ex-Parramatta Eels forward Muggleton was credited with revolutionising defensive patterns in the 15-man game.

Australian players in Cardiff for Saturday's Tests against Wales have spoken about defence as the key area the need to improve as they eye an unbeaten spring tour kicked off by last weekend's win over the All Blacks.

The Wallabies have averaged 33 points against them in their past six Test matches.

Edwards suggests there are chinks in the Australian side's armour that would not have been there under Muggleton's tutelage.

"In 1999 when John was defence coach, they led the way in having structure and discipline in defence, particularly in that (successful) World Cup," Edwards told Wales' Western Mail.

"There haven't been poor Australian defensive teams but there are certain aspects of their defence we are going to exploit.

"When we have the ball we are going to have a crack at them."

While he has spotted defensive weaknesses, Edwards also knows he has his work cut out stopping the Wallabies' recent red-hot attack.

"They are an incredibly difficult team to defend against but we are up for the challenge," he said.

The Wallabies currently have another former league star in their ranks in skills coach Phil Blake.

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