Wallabies coach wants tackle law consistency

Australian rugby coach Eddie Jones. Picture / Reuters

Eddie Jones wants to see more consistency from referees over rugby's tackle law.

Jones said he wasn't surprised to see All Blacks flanker Richie McCaw penalised often at the breakdown in Saturday's Tri Nations match against South Africa.

"We got pinged a lot against South Africa as well," Jones told NZPA.

"What is disturbing to me is the inconsistency in the way the defending player is officiated at the tackle. Clearly there is an order and that is that the defending player must roll away and I don't think that is being done.

"What we want is consistency, we are always going to get some difference in the interpretation between referees, but I think there has got that protocol has to be stuck to in terms of that tackle area.

"It has to be the defending player first and then the attacking player rather than vice-versa."

Jones said McCaw, like the Wallabies' dynamo flankers George Smith and Phil Waugh, played right to the letter of the law at the breakdown.

"Some days they get away with it, some days they won't. I could never be critical of those blokes, because I think they are just fantastic."

Jones said his team had got over their woes from their South African tour, which saw them lose two tests and reserve halfback Matt Henjak sent home for nightclub shenanigans.

"You just get on with it," he said.

He is expecting a fast Bledisloe Cup against New Zealand woes and thinks it will be a close contest.

"The reality of international rugby now, particularly between the top five countries, is that tests are generally decided by seven points or less, so you have just got to do everything right to win the game."

The Wallabies have plenty of injury problems, with fullback Mat Rogers, first five-eighth Stephen Larkham and wing Wendell Sailor unavailable for this match.

Fullback Chris Latham has been troubled by a hamstring strain, but Jones said his situation improved yesterday.

"Hopefully he will train fully on Wednesday and if he does, he should be right for Saturday."

If Latham is ruled out, fellow Queenslander Drew Mitchell is likely to take his place.

Hooker Brendan Cannon, five-eighth Elton Flatley and winger Clyde Rathbone played club rugby on Saturday as they returned from injuries and Jones said they were chances to be in his 22-man squad, but were probably a game away from being ready for a fast Bledisloe Cup match.

Cannon, whose experience and lineout throwing ability was missed in South Africa, is likely to be on the bench.

The All Blacks and the Wallabies will now both name their teams tomorrow.

- NZPA