Cheika: Wallabies will not copy Lions tactics

Michael Cheika has no intention of replicating the tactics employed by the British and Irish Lions against New Zealand in Australia’s opening Rugby Championship clash with the All Blacks.

Australia have only beaten their neighbours once in the last 16 meetings and are currently on a five-game losing streak against Steve Hansen’s side.

Given their poor record against the All Blacks, some have suggested Cheika will take a similar approach to the Lions, who left New Zealand having drawn their three-match series 1-1.

But the Wallabies coach insists that will not happen, and he will instead focus on extracting the best out of his 23-man squad in Sydney.

“You’ve got to look at what we’ve got, how our players play and what they can do and what they can’t do and go to our strengths and play to that,” he told a media conference.

“I wouldn’t be looking to copy what they [the Lions] did.

“Obviously, you watch the games like you do any and try to make some analysis out of it of what you might be able to pick up from there in the opponent, but I wouldn’t be looking to copy anything from them straight up.”

Last year Australia conceded 108 points against New Zealand in their three matches, and Cheika hopes their defensive frailties are a thing of the past after the appointment of assistant coach Nathan Grey on a permanent basis.

“We’ve been working hard on that area [defence],” he added.

“Last year, when I look at that game, I still believe that I over-trained them in the lead-up.

“I think that, because I was stressed about their fitness, that’s a mistake we haven’t made this year.

“We’ve worked really hard on the D because we know it’s got to be a very important part of the game because of how potent they are in attack and we’ll take a few risks sometimes to get the outcome we want but I believe we’re well-prepared in that area.”