Rugby: Wallabies seek more tries

DUBLIN - After at last showing some composure, the Wallabies are now under instructions to start playing more instinctively in a bid to correct their dismal tryscoring record in Sunday's Landsdowne Cup Test against Ireland in Dublin.

The Wallabies have scored just 11 tries in their past eight Tests, an alarmingly poor return and the chief reason for their winning just two matches during Australian rugby's leanest run in four years.

The two tries at Twickenham on Saturday was virtually double Australia's pathetic average since the start of the Tri Nations and coach Robbie Deans says it's simply not good enough that the Wallabies are merely creating scoring chances.

With Ireland a step up in class from understrength England, Deans knows five-pointers will be at a premium at Croke Park and is urging the Wallabies to back themselves, come what may, rather than die wondering against the Six Nations champions.

Winger Peter Hynes should have bagged a hat-trick at Twickenham but instead finished the game hoarse after his repeated pleas for the final pass to be delivered fell on deaf ears.

"There were a few opportunities where I possibly could have scored but it didn't happen," Hynes said.

"That's no big deal. At the end of the day, we won the game and that's what's important."

Ultimately, yes.

But Deans is demanding more from his grand slam hunters.

He doesn't agree with the one irate rugby blogger who labelled the Wallabies "un-Australian" for their inability to cross the line, but says his side's execution levels will only improve with the confidence to "have a go" without fear of failure when something's on.

Deans even took issue with Wallabies captain Rocky Elsom - one of the three culprits who denied Hynes the chance to get on the scoresheet - for claiming it was better not to throw "Hail Mary" passes in mere hope of finding the mark.

"What's indicative in that statement is the fact that we're still living consciously and, essentially in rugby, it's got to be instinctive," Deans said.

"That's something that you tend to build and trust over time. Obviously getting a win makes a big difference to that ability to back your instincts.

"What was better against England was our composure within the game and our balance in the game. It still wasn't perfect.

"We still put ourselves under pressure. Particularly early, I felt we put ourselves under a little bit of pressure with some of our decisions.

"But the good thing that was consistent was that we were prepared to back decisions.

"When you're in that frame of mind, in many ways, it doesn't matter what decisions you make, if it's collectively committed to."

Magnifying the need for the Wallabies to convert every half chance against the Irish - who this season completed their own version of the grand slam for the first time in 61 years with victories over the other three home nations - will be the likely dour nature of the Test.

"Conditions can sometimes dictate the way the game's played," lock James Horwill said.

"Obviously if we're playing in South Africa or Australia, it's a lot drier and the pitches are probably a bit faster.

"Playing over here, sometimes the conditions suit playing a slow, more physical style of game and being a bit more direct.

"That's probably what we're expecting from the Irish - to be pretty direct this weekend.

"We're expecting a pretty fierce battle up front."

- AAP