Lack of results not deterring Wallabies

Mon, Sep 11, 2017, 4:37 AM
Sam Phillips
by Sam Phillips
Scott Sio. Photo: RUGBY.com.au/Stuart Walmsley
Scott Sio. Photo: RUGBY.com.au/Stuart Walmsley

The Wallabies have an unwavering belief that they are building something special and a winless start to The Rugby Championship doesn't affect that one bit, according to prop Scott Sio.

The Wallabies have taken significant strides in their last two starts.

A narrow loss to the All Blacks in Dunedin and a draw with the Springboks in Perth on Saturday were, without question, not desirable results after the rugby lesson New Zealand gave the Wallabies in their Sydney opener but the foundations of a world class rugby side are there.

That's the view Sio and co are taking ahead of a return to Test rugby in Canberra this Saturday, when the Wallabies host Argentina.

"We know we're building something here and it's really just about continual belief in everything that we do in here," Sio said.

"I guess results haven't gone our way but if we're so result focused we're going to forget about the process and how we're going to build those wins as well.Scott Sio and the Wallabies are back in Canberra for the first time since 2010. Photo: RUGBY.com.au/Stuart Walmsley"Working from Monday to Friday, we've just got to be better in ourselves and make sure we're operating at a higher level."

When asked what the Wallabies must improve, Sio pointed to the back end of the match, after his side were outscored 13-3 in the final 22 minutes to put the Springboks back in the match.

"I think it's just little parts of our game we need to be better at," he said.

"The back end of our game, we'd really like to improve.

"One of those things on the weekend that we could improve is our urgency in everything that we do - just having a bit more spark around our game and maybe that let us down in crucial moments of the game and making sure we finish off the game.

"We know we're fit enough, we've done a lot of that the last couple of months so it's all about refining those little details."

One department in which the Wallabies struggled at the weekend was set piece.The Springboks put the Wallabies scrum under the pump on Saturday. Photo: RUGBY.com.au/Stuart WalmsleyThe scrum was put under serious pressure in the second half and the lineout struggled to provide clean ball.

That's two areas in which Argentina thrived in a strong performance against the All Blacks on Saturday afternoon.

"I've played against Argentina a number of times now and they've always been tough at the scrum and the maul," Sio said.

"I guess what we've seen over the last couple of years is the flair they've brought out wide and some of their outside backs.

"They've got a lot of threats across the park so we know there's always that strong set piece battle and they definitely took it to the All Blacks on the weekend."

Stephen Moore is back in the fold after the birth of his third child and Sio expects the return of the ex-skipper will provide some much needed direction on field.

"It's good to have Squeak back and a nice young fresh face like Lukhan coming in to add a lot of youth and exuberance to the squad.Stephen Moore is back in the Wallabies squad for the clash with Argentina. Photo: RUGBY.com.au/Stuart Walmsley"Those things you can't teach, that experience.

"He'll bring that level-headedness to our squad again and making sure we are on in those defining moments I guess of the game.

"It's great to have someone of his stature back in the squad."

Sio has also been impressed with Tui's return to the rugby following a knee cleanout, the young lock having put in two huge shifts for Brisbane City in the NRC.

"He's had some great outings there for Brisbane City and really come back from his mid-season surgery," Sio said.

"It's great to see that he hasn't missed a beat.

"He's still going strong and I'm sure he'll add a lot of grunt to our pack and our training week."

The Wallabies take on Argentina at GIO Stadium on Saturday night, kicking off at 8pm AEST, broadcast LIVE on FOX SPORTS, Network Ten and on radio at RUGBY.com.au.
Share
Liz Patu and Ivania Wong set to become Queensland's all time Women's cap leaders
Super Rugby Pacific Round Six Preview
Force 'heart and soul' Pomare set to reach rare Super W milestone
Michael Hooper is excited about the challenge of playing Sevens in Hong Kong. Photo: Nick Holland/RA Media
'Rookie' ex-Wallabies skipper Hooper ready to step up Sevens unknown