Wales defence coach Peter Murchie has admitted a significant improvement is required from his side if they are to find success this autumn, following a summer campaign that saw them concede 15 tries across three matches.
Heading into his second campaign under head coach Steve Tandy, Murchie joined Wales from Japanese side Kobelco Steelers. Wales resume their Nations Championship campaign against Japan this weekend, having beaten Fiji in Cardiff before losing to Argentina and South Africa.
Summer frustrations
“From my side in the summer, we can be much better,” said Murchie ahead of the clash with the Brave Blossoms. “I wasn't happy with the defence overall, there's much more in us and improvements to be made.”
“We want to be extremely tough to break down and play against. The players are ambitious, they want to perform and defensively we want to be more consistent in our performances this November.”
Winning Test matches
Asked about the minimum achievement for Wales this autumn, Murchie said: “Look, we're here to win Test matches and we've spoken about that as a group. But alongside that we're looking for consistency in our performance.”
“I'm not going to give you a number [we're aiming for], but we're looking for consistency in our performance in terms of every game with delivery and performance that we deem as appropriate for Wales. But we're here to win test matches. We're not here to take part.”
Law changes assessed
Murchie is also confident Wales will not be affected by recent changes in tackling laws, which have placed a particular focus on stamping out 'knee-drop' and 'hip-drop' tackles.
“I honestly think it’s good,” he said. “It was in the law book anyway that you're not allowed to tackle with your knee on the floor, it just wasn't getting refereed.”
“So it's not something we're looking for from my players anyway. Technically it's not a strong tackle position to be in with your knees on any floor and going in head fast into tackle. So there's no issues around it from my end. It's not something we coach anyway, so it's not really a big variation there.”
“The hip drop tackle again is not something that you coach. There's not many players that would go out there, or any player or in world rugby that goes out to practice hip drop tackles.”
“It's more when you’re chasing those line breaks coming side on and you come in at an awkward angle. Sometimes out of desperation, you can try and drag back and put your weight on. So we need to be aware of that. They're going to give cards out if it happens, but it's not something you coach. So it's just highlighting that and that we have got to be clean around that area. But I don't see either to be honest, having a massive effect on us, because it's not something we coach anyway.”
