5 things Wallabies must fix ahead of the Rugby World Cup

Taking chances, gaining dominance at the breakdown and finding the right position for James O’Connor. Some of the five things the Wallabies must sort out ahead of the World Cup.

Wallabies coach Michael Cheika. Picture: Getty Images

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The Wallabies have just over five hours of Test rugby to find the right mojo before they hit the World Cup in Japan in September.

Rugby writer JIM TUCKER looks at 5 Things The Wallabies Must Fix For The World Cup.

1 Creating chances doesn’t win Test matches, turning them into tries does.

The waste from bungled opportunities is rugby’s version of the plastic bag scourge.

Just think back to the Gold Coast last year when Bernard Foley signalled to Israel Folau to position him for a pass. Folau didn’t pass, try bombed on the bell and Argentina win 23-19.

The switch needs to be flicked. Tonight.

2 The breakdown. It’s simplistic just to say the absence of ball thief David Pocock is the problem.

Skipper Michael Hooper rightly said “it’s not necessarily about having five on-ballers but producing a dominant tackle to get that turnover.”

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The Wallabies are without David Pocock, but his absence is not the only reason for their problems at the breakdown. Picture: Getty Images

The Wallabies also have to get better at supporting their own ball-carriers when they go to ground so the ball is better protected.

3 Shut-the-gate finishing. We’re looking at you Marika Koroibete. He’s had a two-year, 20-Test education and it’s time for it to pay off on the wing.

It’s time for Marika Koroibete to deliver on the wing. Picture: AFP

4 The right position for James O’Connor. He’s been moved around his whole career and rarely for the better.

He should be viewed as an inside centre, first, with the versatility to help out on the wing or fullback.

A big return on Saturday night for a Test career most thought over.

James O'Connor makes his Test return on Saturday night. Picture: AAP

5 Momentum. Winning glues everything together but you also ride momentum within games. The Wallabies love backing their wide attack when the ball is running their way but sometimes don’t switch quickly enough to scraping and minimising dangers when opponents get on their roll.