Champion flankers David Pocock and Michael Hooper have identified the Wallabies' defence as the key to winning the all-important breakdown battle in Saturday's series-deciding Test against Ireland in Sydney.
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After a dominant display in Australia's 18-9 first-Test win in Brisbane, Pocock was well contained in Ireland's 26-21 return triumph in Melbourne last Saturday.
As well as instigating vital turnovers, Ireland's influential loose trio of CJ Sander, Dan Leavy and inspirational captain Peter O'Mahony were most effective in slowing down the Wallabies' ruck ball and, consequently, stifling Australia's attack.
But Wallabies captain Hooper insists his side's problems were more technical than having a lack of tactical smarts - and nothing that couldn't be fixed in time for Australia to win a series-deciding third Test for the first time in 17 years.
"Our defence was a bit passive in (Saturday's) game," Hooper told AAP on Tuesday.
"The Irish were holding on to the ball really well. They changed some of the shapes that they delivered and the way that they were approaching the breakdown and we didn't attack it like we did in the first game.
"That makes it hard. If you've got a dominant defensive line, it changes the pictures you get at the breakdown in the support and the attack."
Asked if the Waratahs' problems were a line-speed or attitude issue, Hooper said: "It's a system thing".
"And when it's flying and it's working really well, it's great to be a part of.
"So it's a step-by-step process to be able to influence the ruck.
"We want to be better than we were last week. That's for sure."
Pocock conceded the European champions won the breakdown in Melbourne and Hooper said it was critical every Wallaby played their part in ensuring Australia's first-Test man of the match was able to dominate again in the series finale.
"I'm sure they went into the last game with the mindset of shutting 'Poey' down," Hooper said.
"It's across the board. It's how you deal with the breakdown, how urgent you are at the breakdown.
"For our running game and for us to click, it needs to be on song.
"The breakdown's been a real key feature this series, as it is in a lot of these tight games.
"Turnovers, slowing the ball down makes such a big difference. It's a team focus."
Australian Associated Press
