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While Elsom said the breakdown had been a problem last week in Melbourne, where New Zealand won 49-28, he stopped short of following former Wallabies coach Bob Dwyer, who called the All Blacks "the biggest cheats in world rugby" earlier this week.
"That was definitely an issue for us with bodies around the ruck and that does slow down our attacking ball," a more circumspect Elsom told reporters in Christchurch on Friday after his side's final training run at Lancaster Park.
"We will have to address that because anything that takes the sting out of your attack then it's not going to help.
"You just have to move those bodies as best you can. Whether they're on our side or attacking the ball then we have to make sure the space is there for (scrumhalf) Will (Genia) to get in there and do what he does best."
All Blacks captain Richie McCaw said he was not surprised the Wallabies had said they would target the breakdown on Saturday, though he thought his opposite David Pocock had been particularly effective last week in stealing the All Blacks' ball.
"They had a lot of success last week when we didn't get it quite right and put a bit of heat on our ball, so we have to make sure we get it right and are better there," McCaw said at a chilly Lancaster Park.
"There were a few times when we didn't get it quite right and they got a few turnovers ... but this year I think we have got it mostly right and have got the ball we want to play with."
McCaw said he did not expect to have too many difficulties with South African referee Jonathan Kaplan's interpretations of the breakdown on Saturday.
"I don't think it will be too different from last week to be honest. Him and Craig (Joubert) and most of the guys, we have had in the Super 14 and they're not too different.
"I think for the most part he (Kaplan) wants to see quick ball and guys making a good effort to get out (of the way) and making it a contest."
McCaw said he was not prepared to buy into the argument the referees had been too willing to hand out yellow cards during the Tri-Nations, with the onus on the players to ensure they did not give the referee any choice but to act.
"I don't think they want to pull them out at all but it's a tool they can use if they are forced to," McCaw said.
"It's up to us to stop that. The refs are only going to do that if they have to, so it's not about putting it on them."
