Halfback Nic White says the Wallabies were “clunky” in South Africa as they adjusted to a new game style but he is confident they can turn their mistakes in time for their Test against Argentina.
Australia left a potential 17 points on the table in the first half with a disallowed try, a knock-on over the goal line and a decision to go for a scrum in a straightforward penalty kicking position.
However, it was the second half where they were truly left to rue their basic mistakes, letting the game slip away from them against a fast-finishing Springboks team.
The Wallabies have less than a week to iron out their issues in a bid to take a crucial win over Argentina at Suncorp Stadium.
It won’t be an easy feat, after the Pumas fell just four points short of the All Blacks in Buenos Aires, but White said he believed the team could make giant strides in a short time.
“I think there’s some good signs out there and it can be pretty quick,” he said.
“We’re not a million miles away.
“They got a couple of runaway tries there when it felt like we had all the momentum. If Kerevi gets that ball to Lukhan and Dane puts that ball down and maybe I take that intercept and that game looks really, really different.
“Especially in the first half when we were patient with the ball we looked really good and South Africa did that to us in the second half and that’s something we can learn from.
“I think that’s something we can turn around in a week. We can say, ‘Yes it’s working so let’s back it’.”
White knows firsthand how dangerous the Argentinian backs can be, having played at Exeter with winger Santiago Cordero and against a number of their overseas-based players in his time abroad
“That bloke can dead set step blokes in a phone box,” he said.
“He’s got great feet. Obviously I’ve played against a few other Argie boys and they are tough guys to play.
“They are a good team and they’re very athletic muscly guys and a guy like Santi you think you’ve read his footwork and then you’ve got to tackle him and you find out he’s a strong little bugger too. We’re going to have our hands full.
“This Rugby Championship has got four really strong teams now and we’ll have to focus on ourselves a bit more this week and make sure we get through these teething problems and make sure we’re on as we’re going to be up against a really good Argentinian side.”
White was among the best for the Wallabies in his first Test in nearly four years but it is uncle
In the lead-up to the 2015 Rugby World Cup, coach Michael Cheika made six changes in every match and halfback is one of the
Regular starter Will Genia came off the bench against the Springboks and as he prepares to play his last Test in his Super Rugby home town of Brisbane, he could be back in the no. 9 spot.
Joe Powell was the third halfback in the squad this week and could yet be thrown in for some minutes during the Rugby Championship, while NSW duo Jake Gordon and Nick Phipps are both pushing their cases from club rugby.
White said he enjoyed being back on the international arena but that paled in comparison to his desire to win games.
“It’s good individually to get back and to wear the jersey but there’s a greater goal we are after and we are building towards that,” he said.
The Wallabies will arrive in Brisbane on Monday night ahead of their clash with the Pumas, whom they beat off the back of a record comeback in their last match-up in Salta.
The Wallabies host the Pumas at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday July 27, kicking off at 7:45pm AEST, LIVE on FOX SPORTS, Kayo and via RUGBY.com.au RADIO. Buy tickets here.
