DEFENCE coach Shaun Edwards says Wales have been working on blasting off their line in order to combat Fiji's power runners in Saturday's Test at the Millennium Stadium, writes Chris Kirwan.

Warren Gatland's team starting their autumn series with a defeat after being edged out 33-28 by Australia last weekend when the Wallabies nudged in front thanks to Bernard Foley's late drop goal that came after a patient attack.

The Welsh management team were unhappy that their charges failed to knock the Aussies off their stride and Edwards has warned that they cannot afford to be on the back foot against Fiji.

The tourists head to Cardiff with a power-packed back line that features Crusaders ace Nedani Nadolo, Leicester try machine Vereniki Goneva, exciting Bordeaux-Begles full-back Metuisela Talebula and the Ospreys' Josh Matavesi, who is sure to adopt a forthright rather than nimble approach to fly-half play.

"We were passive in the build-up to the Australia drop-goal," said Edwards. "We defended for 22 phases, which in itself is good defence, but we pride ourselves on our attacking style of defence and actually trying to take yardage off the opposition.

"We probably conceded 18 to 20 yards in 22 phases, which equates to about a yard every phase, which is something we have definitely been working on more this week.

"We've been working on blasting hard off the line and really dominating those collisions.

"Fiji have got some big powerful lads who will try to blast over the advantage line, and it is vital that we meet them as much as we can on our terms, not their terms."

Fiji lost 40-15 to France last weekend but head to Wales with a stronger back line with Nadolo – who is 6ft 5ins and nearly 20 stone – set to lead the charge.

"Any team is going to play to its strengths, and if you have got a guy 19 to 20 stone you are going to expect him to get you over the advantage line, and we've got to prevent him doing that," said Edwards.

"We've got a pretty hard-hitting 12 ourselves in Jamie Roberts. I thought his head-on tackling last week was ferocious. If Jamie can keep hitting the way he did against Australia then Fiji will realise they are in for a game."