Wallabies want to grasp chances

Wed, Oct 5, 2016, 2:10 AM
Beth Newman
by Beth Newman
The Wallabies are back in familiar surrounds in London with five straight games at Twickenham last year making it feel like home away from home.

Three tries in 21 minutes one week, just one in 80 minutes a fortnight later.

Taking advantage of chances was all that separated the most recent Wallabies outings, according to utility forward Dean Mumm, a shift that was the difference between jubilation and frustration.

“In Perth [against Argentina] - [we] probably only had three or four opportunities but we stuck through them, particularly early on,” he said.

Will Genia scored a  double against the Pumas in Perth. Photo: Getty Images“As the game went on, we only had limited (chances) but we made the most of the ball.

“Against South Africa [in Pretoria] we had plenty of opportunity, we just didn't make the most of it and that composure, particularly in that attacking zone within the opposition 22, is a real key facet.

“Being calm there, seeing the opportunity it is and just having the composure to get that done is a really important aspect.”

That they had a flurry of chances in Pretoria at least gives them a semblance of positivity ahead of their return clash with Argentina this weekend, Mumm said.

“The exciting thing is you create those opportunities and it'd be more pessimistic if you weren't creating those opportunities in the first place."

The Wallabies’ new crop of debutants have had just small tastes of victory this season, with Australia's 2-6 2016 record, but Mumm said he was confident that would change with improved preparation.


“I think the more detailed, the better quality preparation you have during the week, that's what being a Wallaby's about. If you do that, then you will win more games than you lose,” he said.

“Unfortunately for those new guys the balance of the ledger is swayed to the loss at the moment,  but I have whole faith in the fact that if we continue to prepare well - certainly as we've improved our preparation as the year has gone-  we'll win more games than we lose.”

The Wallabies have beaten Argentina 21 times in their 27 Test clashes dating back to 1979, including last year’s Rugby World Cup semi-final at Twickenham.

Australia takes on Los Pumas in London on Sunday morning, kicking off at 5:30am AEDT. Tickets available at .http://www.ticketmaster.co.uk.

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