Defence concerning but Gregan backs ‘emerging Wallabies DNA’

Australia’s record cap holder has seen enough in Eddie Jones’ young squad to make him a believer, despite fearing Fiji’s power.

George Gregan knows better than most that defences win big Rugby World Cup matches. But despite an acknowledgement that the current Australia team have “things to turn around” – the Wallabies have conceded an average of 32.3 points per match in their last six runouts – the 1999 World Cup winner is just about confident his compatriots can see off Fiji in Saint-Étienne on Sunday to all but book their place in the quarter-finals.

“You can see when there is togetherness in a team, it’s a strong word togetherness and you know when a team has it and you know when they don’t,” Gregan explained on the eve of Australia’s Pool C clash.

“Being around them for a few days (before their final World Cup warm-up match versus France in Paris) I could see they were really looking after each other, really keen to learn, keen to have those small conversations around the game and outside the game.

“It’s just a matter of understanding how they want to play, their DNA. I’ve heard them talk about it. That takes time. You can see they are starting to get a hang of it and understand what they are looking to do on the field, on both sides of the ball.”

It is a big ask for a team containing just five players with 35 caps or more to close down a free-wheeling Fiji. The Pacific Islanders, who have recalled powerhouse centre Josua Tuisova into the starting line-up, carried a scary 176 times and made a monster 654m in their agonising 32-26 defeat to Wales.

“Yeah it is a concern,” Gregan admitted. “But defence is one of those things you can turn around (with) a couple of good performances, particularly if everyone really understands their role in the defensive system.”

The 50-year-old, who is working as a pundit for UK broadcaster ITV throughout the World Cup, even found time to give his successors in the green-and-gold some advice.

“You’ve got to keep your head and trust the players inside you, outside of you, out the back. It becomes a real big communication and trust (issue),” he said.

“You never make 100 per cent of your tackles. People are going to miss tackles, it’s how you can scramble and deal with those breaches. That’s defence. You talk about line speed but it’s that, being able to solve (problems), protect your line but also protect the integrity of your defensive structure.”

The man who put his body on the line 139 times for the Wallabies acknowledges that the almost certain loss of 2.03m and 135kg skipper Will Skelton is a “big blow” to that Australia defensive line. But if there is one person who can handle such a major, last-minute setback, it is Australia’s head coach.

“One thing I know about Eddie is he’s always got a plan,” Gregan said simply, before adding, “It would be great for Fiji to win one of these big games, just not to win tomorrow.”