Forget about the WC, Grey tells Wallabies

The Wallabies have been urged to shelve any memories of their World Cup heroics against Wales by defensive guru Nathan Grey.

Australian rugby union players

The Wallabies have been urged to shelve any memories of their World Cup heroics against Wales. (AAP)

Wallabies defensive coach Nathan Grey has called on his troops to block out their World Cup heroics and create more history on this grand slam Spring Tour.

The Wallabies' famous '13-man defensive wall', in which they repelled repeated attacks from Wales despite halfback Will Genia and lock Dean Mumm sitting next to each other in the sin bin for seven minutes, earned enormous respect during last year's World Cup.

Built around that manic period, the Wallabies produced a stoic 15-6 victory which allowed them to top Group A - and take the easier path through the knockout matches, leading ultimately to a loss to New Zealand in the final while Wales were eliminated in the quarter-finals by South Africa.

It was such an effort that Grey admits he's not witnessed anything similar to it, but he hasn't been putting it on the big screen in the team's video sessions this week.

As the 35-Test veteran points out, there are many new faces in a youthful Wallabies squad attempting to break a 32-year wait for another grand slam - all of whom have no connection to last year's staunch defensive effort.

"That playing group, they can be proud of that," Grey said on Wednesday.

"But I think there's 12 or 13 guys in this group who were sitting and watching it at home on television.

"They've got their own chapter to write and to earn."

Instead, Grey points to the 37 points the side conceded to the All Blacks last week as something which 'drives me crazy' and is a better point of reference.

"The World Cup for us has well and truly been put to bed. The focus for us is our consistency of performance this year," he said.

"We gain confidence from all the games we play.

"There were some good defensive passages against New Zealand but you've got to look at 37 points against us and as a selfish defensive coach, that drives me crazy.

"We've certainly got a lot of improvement in that area. That performance against Wales is done and dusted."


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Source: AAP


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