Near enough for a rebuilding Wallabies side is still not good enough for vice-captain Michael Hooper, who has bemoaned their inconsistency after letting a golden chance slip in South Africa.
All the wash-up from Springboks vs Wallabies:
» SPIRO: Wallabies lost to back-to-the-future Boks
» LORD: Steyn’s boot sinks wasteful Wallabies
» Who should replace Sean McMahon?
» The Wrap: Back to the future not for the better
» DIY Player Ratings results
» Five talking points
» What changes should the Wallabies make for Argentina?
» Match report: Wallabies fall short
» Re-live all the action with our live blog
Australia will look to right the wrongs of their Rugby Championship defeat to the Springboks when they face Argentina at Twickenham Stadium in London next weekend.
The Wallabies largely dominated proceedings at Loftus Versfeld but failed to make it count on the scoreboard and fell to an 18-10 defeat – essentially the reverse of what happened when they took on Los Pumas in Perth last month, when they were starved of possession but still ran in five tries.
“It flips around the other way this week. It’s frustrating we can’t get consistency,” Hooper said.
“We do some amazing play to get down there and then just simple stuff, right at the death to bring us undone.
“It’s almost like we were too keen to get on the line – so keen to score the try for the team and do the right thing that we’re anxious about just really playing to our full potential.
“It’s probably the position we’re in from the results we’ve had this year, just the little percentage off, or knowing exactly what we need to do and completing it.
“You’ve got to take your linebreaks, because in Test rugby they’re hard to come by.”
The Wallabies left Johannesburg on Sunday night (Monday morning AEST) bound for London, where Argentina has agreed to stage their ‘home’ fixture in what will be the first time a Rugby Championship game will be played outside of SANZAAR’s four core territories.
They’ll stay in the same hotel as they did during last year’s World Cup and Hooper said they had “fond memories” of Twickenham, where they won four matches, including the semi-final against Argentina.
“It’s going to be weird being back there, first of all, and weird being a bit of a flashback but we’ve got to move forward, and move forward quick,” Hooper said.
Coach Michael Cheika will be forced into making at least one change, with Sean McMahon returning home for more treatment and scans on his injured ankle.
In contention to replace him at No.8 are Lopeti Timani, who is already in the squad, and Leroy Houston, who isn’t, but is already in England, playing on loan from the Queensland Reds for Bath.
Bakkies
Guest
French play left and right flankers. SA coaches consider the number 7 to be the blindside so no he wasn't playing him out of position. Mowen is also more capable of fetching turnovers then certain players in Australia Mowen did play often for Montpellier.
CUW
Guest
Mowen played at Montpellier? i thought he was only on the bench or not at all ; hence the switch to Pau. :)
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Yes. Apologies I did not finish my sentence. Should have been "this is Jake White that was playing Ben Mowen at 7 for Motpelier, no?" Glad he is able to lecture us all about how playing players out of position is bad...
Gray Matter
Guest
So here's a thought. Drop under-performing players and play players in there preferred/best position most suited to their natural skills and talent! Here's a team that should beat the Pumas but at least will run themselves into the ground trying. Sio Moore Kepu Coleman Arnold Fardy Hooper Timani Genia Cooper Kirevi Kurindrani Folau Winger Hodge Winger DHP - Full Back Bench: Hanson Slipper Roberston Simmons Houston Phipps Foley Naivalu
Bakkies
Guest
The Ben Mowen who is now playing for Pau?
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
This is Jake White that was playing Ben Mowen for Montpelier, no?
Die hard
Roar Rookie
Just as winning can become a habit, so can losing. It becomes so much harder, and fraught with angst, when the wins are few and far. So much more is dependant on the outcome. Reputations, confidence, self respect, all are suddenly questioned rather than taken for granted. It all just gets that bit more desperate. The worst that happens is panic sets in, or they get too tight to try things. Or both. They need to string a few together to get it all back. Two and six is starting to bite.
Bakkies
Guest
Media involvement is no doubt part of their agreement with the ARU. Captains and Vice Captains have to speak to the press.
Bakkies
Guest
Jake White did a good interview on Super Sport which is available on YouTube about why it is a bad idea to play players out of position. You can expect it at club/provincial level but not top flight test Rugby.
In Brief
Guest
Hit the nail on the head Hooper - exactly what happened on the weekend. Wallabies are nearly there, and playing some promising rugby, but are letting themselves down at crucial moments. Australia looked like they had the SA match in the bag, but really threw it away - must be frustrating for the players. A couple of changes and the same attitude will bring improved results.
CUW
Guest
i for one seriously think, there are far too many people in the auzzy team talking to the press. maybe it is part of the sponsorship obligations or whatever, but i am a believer of the saying "walk the talk". if there is a need for soundbites , get some one outside the team to give it ....
MH01
Guest
As fans we are also frustrated how the forwards and backs are playing out of position to accomandate certain players who have a mortgage on their wallaby jumpers, For the first time in 20 years I watched NRL games over wallaby games. It's how bad things have got in my opinion, this is one boring team, were I see no potential, and favouritism in selections.....I suspect more fans will tune out. I'll be there at twickers, though not cause of the wallabies, but cause it's a good day out. Kinda wish someone else was playing Argentina so it would be a good match.