Israel Folau has placed the onus on Australia's tactical kickers to be more accurate to ensure he sees more ball in the Wallabies' series-deciding Test against Ireland on Saturday.
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Folau has been deadly in the air for the NSW Waratahs all Super Rugby season but struggled to make the same impact during the first two split Tests against the European champions.
The Irish have expertly nullified the champion fullback with "escort" runners taking Folau out with clever lines, a tactic that Wallabies assistant coach Stephen Larkham questioned in the wake of Australia's 26-21 second-Test loss in Melbourne last Saturday.
Folau, though, has no qualms about the tourists' "blocking" ploy to combat him and is demanding his NSW state teammates Kurtley Beale and Bernard Foley be more pinpoint in the series decider at Sydney's Allianz Stadium, the trio's familiar home patch.
"Obviously I didn't get many touches on the weekend so hopefully I get a few more opportunities to get my hands on the ball as much as I can and just play some footy," Folau told AAP on Tuesday.
"I put it down to the execution on our kicks. It wasn't where we wanted to place them (in Melbourne).
"They were a little bit further than we'd liked and a bit more infield, which makes it a lot easier for their guys to escort.
"In saying that, they did a great job with their escorting but hopefully our execution on our kicks can be a little bit better where it can give us a free run and a jump at the ball."
Despite their lack of success with the tactic, Beale maintains high kicks for Folau and winger Dane Haylett-Petty is still the way to go for the Wallabies.
"They're obviously pretty aware of that tactic now so we've got to try to manipulate them in other areas of the field by maybe holding onto the ball, getting to another edge and seeing what their back-field does," Beale said.
"Then we've got to be good enough to see that and be able to execute the kick."
After another prolific campaign for the Waratahs, Folau is try-less against the Irish - and "hungry" to break the relative drought in what also shapes as a blockbuster battle for the world No.2 ranking.
"It's something that I don't look to do going into the game but if I find myself crossing the line for a try, it's always a great bonus," said Australia's attacking trump.
"The most exciting thing for this weekend is just trying to find my hands on the ball and providing those opportunities.
"The last couple of weeks hasn't been going that way, so I'm pretty hungry and eager to try and put myself in the game to get as many touches as I can."
Australian Associated Press
