Australia head coach Robbie Deans says his side will employ whatever style suits them in the lead up to next summer’s series with the Lions.
The Wallabies are preparing for the inaugural Rugby Championship which begins next month when Argentina are welcomed to the southern hemisphere’s top table.
The reigning Tri Nations Champions whitewashed Grand Slam winners Wales in a three-Test series in June but only by a total margin of 11 points.
The Welsh twice came within moments of a first win on Australian soil since 1969 and Deans has seen plenty of critics suggest the Wallabies are on a downward spiral.
David Pocock and co scored just five tries across the series with the Welsh and the shock defeat to Scotland, while clean line breaks were at a premium in each of those games.
But while defence seemed to rule the roost during the summer and throughout the 2011 World Cup, Deans insists the Wallabies won’t be giving up on the attacking philosphy that served them so well this time last season if it offers the best chance of success against South Africa, New Zealand, Argentina and then the Lions.
'”We've had an indication through Super Rugby in the way the game is being played,” said Deans.
''The World Cup is a different beast. Elements of the game have come forward from the World Cup into the Super Rugby tournament. There's no doubt the defensive lines are stiffer, so you have to work harder for what you get in the game.
''But there's still ample scope. We have seen really good football during the Super Rugby season, and also different approaches being successful.
“The key for us now is to gather our [Wallabies] group, settle on our approach and try to find one which works for us.''
The first chance for the Lions to see what style the Wallabies will opt for comes on August 18 when they host the All Blacks in Sydney.
A week later Deans takes his team back to his native country to face the World Champions in their own backyard and the former Crusaders boss admits it’s a tough start to the tournament for the Lions’ next opponents.
“There's no wriggle room. We're starting in the deep end and two fixtures back to back against the All Blacks,” added Deans.
“That's going to be a big priority for us, starting well. There's no such thing as an average All Blacks side, they always put out a good team.
“The Irish got close to them (in the second Test in June) and had a great opportunity in the third outing to show how close they were, or possibly get a result, and they got the message that the All Blacks not only consider themselves to be No1 but are No1.”
