Wallabies centre Len Ikitau believes connection is key as the team searches for defensive answers.
The Wallabies are looking to end a three-game losing slump as they prepare to face Scotland on Monday (AEDT), with their defence a major focus.
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During this run, the team has conceded 138 points, averaging 46 points per game, including a record 45 points last week against England.
"I felt we didn't apply enough pressure," Ikitau told reporters about the loss last week.
"We were slow to get around the rock and we put ourselves under a lot of pressure on the edge. Playing against Scotland, you know, that's where they come alive."
It's a stark contrast to their six-game unbeaten streak earlier in the year, almost halved (24.3 points per game).
Ikitau has been widely considered one of the team's defensive leaders and believes the team needs to be better connected across the full unit.
"We need to be able to connect well with our forwards and then with our backfield too. We're all over the shop at the moment," Ikitau said.
"There's some major fixes for us as a backline and we're working at it at training so we'll see how we go."
Ikitau concedes the constant midfield shift has made life tougher, with the Brumby starting alongside a different centre pairing in three straight matches.
He will likely reunite with Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii after Isaac Henry's hamstring injury, though Kurtley Beale and Filipo Daugunu are other options.
"It's been tough for us lately, but I feel like we've got a lot of good centres," Ikitau believes.
"It's unfortunate for 'Zachy' [Henry], but we've got 'Lipo' [Filipo Daugunu] who was outstanding when he came on, brought on a lot of energy and then Joseph can come back into the centres.
"We've got a good relationship there in the centres, so if he needs to come back in, then we'll just go with that." Suaalii's potential shift to the centres would see him line up against Scotland star Sione Tuipulotu, with the two exchanging words and hits during their last Test meeting in 2024.
"Joseph, he's a warrior. When he's ready to go, he goes. He's excited for this match-up this week," Ikitau added.
