Wales v Wallabies: Bernard Foley praises dynamic defence in Cardiff

Criticism this year has added some steely resolve to the Wallabies.

Bernard Foley dives over for Australia’s fourth try against Wales in Cardiff.

Matchwinner Bernard Foley declared the criticism the Wallabies have endured this year has instilled a steely resolve within the squad after they trounced Wales 32-8 in the opening match of their Grand Slam tour.

Five-eighth Foley produced another sterling attacking display, backing up his fine performance against New Zealand in the previous Test, as Australia overwhelmed Wales with power running and slick passing to score five tries to one in their best performance of 2016 so far.

It came after a poor Rugby Championship campaign and 3-0 series whitewash against England in June, but showed that many of their flaws have been fixed.

“For us, there is a lot of external noise and there has been this year and I think it’s something we’ve had to put up with but as a squad we’re taking no notice of that external noise,” Foley said.

“We’re just focused on our roles in this squad and being really tight as a group. The resilience this team has showed, the character it’s showed, and the Tests we’ve been put through this year is just setting the platform, hopefully, for future ­success.”

The impressive tour opener will have put the rest of their opponents on notice as Australia seek their first Grand Slam since 1984.

Next up is Scotland in Edinburgh, and after the Wallabies ­narrowly escaped with a win against them in last year’s World Cup quarter-final via Foley’s last-­minute penalty goal, complacency is unlikely. “The Scottish are a side that we’ve had some close encounters with in the past couple of years, you only have to look back at last year’s quarter-final,” Foley said. “They’re a team that if you’re ill-disciplined and if you knock off at set piece, they’ll really hurt you. That’s something we’ll address early this week and go there with a plan to nullify that.”

But if the Wallabies attack as well as they did against Wales, they will have too much firepower for Scotland to handle, while their defence looks far more certain now than earlier in the year.

“What was really pleasing was our defence, it didn’t waver all game,” Foley said. “When our attack wasn’t working in the second half we were still able to score two tries off the back of our defence and that’s probably one thing this team wants to pride ourselves on. It’s something we’ve taken a lot of positives out of.”

The Australian backline has looked extremely dangerous in the past two Tests after Foley returned to five-eighth from inside centre and partnered rookie Reece Hodge in the midfield.

“We came here with a plan and we were able to execute it, we were prepared for what the Welsh bring, and then try to nullify their threats and then also look at opportunities for us in attack,” man of the match Foley said. “The backs worked ­really hard off the back of the platform the forwards set. I think that, especially in that first half, probably set us up really well.

“Reece is a tireless worker for us and you just have to watch his ­efforts on the field, he’s always working hard to get in position and his effort has always been there. It’s just a combination we have to build on.

“Whoever plays in the 10-12 ­jersey, it’s crucial that they have a connection and that’s what we’re trying to build. Every week, we’re putting more and more emphasis on that and looking for opportunities. The whole backline really worked hard tonight and we were able to get a bit of reward off the back of the forwards and the platform they set for us.”