Shaun Edwards says he “holds his hands up” but must have wished his players had done the same when Australians were there to be tackled last Saturday.
The Wales defence coach offered no excuses, but few solutions when he picked through the ruins of his team’s shambolic five tries to one defeat to the Wallabies.
But Edwards did admit that perhaps Ireland offer clues as to how a near-neighbour – and bedfellow of the Pro12 – can rise to beat the best from the southern hemisphere.
Ireland stunned the rugby world on Saturday night with a maiden victory over New Zealand – the All Blacks’ 40-29 defeat in Chicago their first in 18 matches.
It was a far cry from Wales’ lacklustre performance in their 32-8 defeat to Australia in Cardiff, which was over as a contest before half-time and extended the hosts’ miserable record at the start of autumn campaigns.
“Do I think we can defend better on Saturday? Yes I do. I am determined to make that happen,” Edwards said.
“Australia could have scored five or six tries and I am not happy with my own performance.
“Stephen Larkham (Australia attacking coach) got the better of me on the day.
“I holds my hands up, but anybody that knows me knows I am a determined person.”
Wales have not opened their autumn programme with a win since beating Romania in 2002.
And defence coach Edwards, who saw Ireland’s historic victory over New Zealand on television, admits Wales have to be far better if they are to overcome Argentina on Saturday.
“Australia didn’t surprise me, and this was a team who have been together for four months playing against a team who have been together for a fortnight,” Edwards said.
“But Ireland hit it off a fortnight’s work together, so maybe we have to learn whatever Ireland are doing in the autumn internationals.
“We can’t hide the fact that we do have first game woes. We can’t hide behind that, because we do.
“But I think there will be a big response on Saturday.”
Wales expect full-back Liam Williams, centre Jonathan Davies and second row forward Jake Ball to recover from the injuries which saw them sit out the Australia defeat.
Skipper Sam Warburton could also return after getting game-time for the Cardiff Blues in the Guinness PRO12 last weekend following a neck injury, and Alun Wyn Jones is back in camp following a family bereavement.
But scrum-half Rhys Webb is almost certain to miss out after suffering a knee injury against Australia and centre Tyler Morgan is sidelined by a hamstring problem. Cardiff pair Cory Allen and Tomos Williams have been called into the squad.
On Argentina, Edwards added: “They play quite a loose game and have got a powerful pack, they are a good driving line-out team.
“We have to counteract that and they have got some very quick nimble backs who don’t mind playing from inside their own 22. So it’s a big challenge defensively.
“We’re playing a top eight ranked team who compete in the Rugby Championship, I couldn’t think of a better fixture to bounce back after the Australia game.”
Edwards said Wales were addressing defensive problems which saw Australia run in five tries at the Principality Stadium, three of which came before half-time.
Wales have now conceded 32 tries in six games, although Edwards was quick to point out that three of those matches were against New Zealand.
