Wales identified the need to work on the athleticism and dexterity of their tight five after their summer whitewash by New Zealand. They involved their four regions to raise the general skill level of the national squad but a 12th successive reverse to Australia, and their second heaviest home defeat by the Wallabies, showed they remain more comfortable manhandling than ball-handling.
Wales used nine tight-five forwards on Saturday and they carried the ball between them for a total of eight metres compared with their opponents’ 76. They have won only three of their last 12 internationals and in their most difficult period for nine years they are having to make do without their head coach, Warren Gatland, who is on sabbatical with the Lions.
Related: Australia show ominous form to give Wales nothing to laugh about | Andy Bull
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