The southern hemisphere rugby bashing has begun with England assistant Mike Ford mocking the Tri-Nations and vowing his side will show them how to play real Test football.

As Wales mull over a decision on whether leaving the Millennium Stadium roof open would help them against speedy Australia, Ford risked firing up New Zealand for their clash with England in London on Saturday (Sunday morning AEDT).

"There were three games in the Tri-Nations that produced an average of 77 points and that, for me, isn't Test rugby," Ford told local media.

"Even Saturday (in Hong Kong), which was a fantastic game, there were still 50 points scored. We want to make this a good, old-fashioned Test rugby game."

Wales, usually the UK's most adventurous side, have said they will target Australia's forwards, especially the scrum, this weekend but will still endeavour to use the ball, although an open roof in the rain could prove tempting.

But England, who Australia meet next weekend, are unapologetic about being the party poopers at Twickenham.

"Everyone is talking about how many tries are going to be scored, how quick the rucks are and how exciting it all is," defence coach Ford said.

"But our job defensively is to work out a way to stop that.

"When the players keep hearing about how exciting it is, deep down they will be putting up the shutters."

The southern hemisphere is currently home to the world's top three ranked sides, while England are ranked sixth and Wales No.9.

Wallabies coach Robbie Deans this week reiterated his belief that the game could not afford a repeat of the dour 2007 World Cup, a situation which has been rectified by a new interpretation of the breakdown laws.

IRB statistics released last week showed the Tri-Nations had doubled the number of tries scored in the tournament this year, which also represented twice as many per game compared to Europe's Six Nations.

Wallabies assistant coach Jim Williams said Australia's running and passing had increased by 20-30 per cent this year, a situation which suited the Wallabies' mobile forwards and fleet-footed backs.

"It's probably surprising how much the ball was kept in hand through the Tri-Nations and that can be very difficult to defend," Williams said.

"Obviously Mike's looked closely at that and wanted to come out and make sure he's letting us know they're going to be ready for it.

"He'll get a good taste of it this weekend so it will be interesting to see how they go."

Wales will play their first Test under the new interpretations, which have cracked down on tacklers competing for possession, in the clash with Australia.

With Millennium Stadium still far from a sell-out, considerations other than bogging Australia in the Cardiff mud may come into the decision on the roof.

"Ideally you wouldn't (leave it open if it's raining)," Williams said.

"It's not really a major concern of mine or the team, we'll prepare the same way.

"If it's closed, it's closed. If it's not, it's not."

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