Australia coach Robbie Deans says his side must toughen up ahead of another game against South Africa.
The Springboks came from behind to down the Wallabies 44-31 in last weekend’s Tri-Nations clash in Pretoria, and, with the same two teams set to meet in Bloemfontein on Saturday, Deans is demanding a stronger showing from his side.
His men had led 21-7 at one stage and he feels that schoolboy errors were to blame for their collapse, calling for his players to be ‘tougher on each other’ and on defence.
“What that loss came down to was unnecessary lapses,” Deans was quoted as saying by the Sydney Morning Herald.
“In the game, there were elements which were good, but some of the old elements of our play came back. You’ve got to put that down to the ability of the players to drive each other to keep their minds on the task.
“This team is not yet tough enough."
With a host of injured players, such as Digby Ioane, Ben Alexander, James Horwill, Wycliff Palu, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Peter Hynes, Rob Horne and Rod Davies, all looking to return from injury in the coming months - and veterans such as Stirling Mortlock and Dan Vickerman potentially available for recalls - Deans has warned repeat offenders of the afore-mentioned ills that they could well lose their places for next year’s World Cup.
In other Tri-Nations-related news, meanwhile, Australian Rugby Union boss John O’Neill is set to meet his South African counterparts ahead of Saturday's game to try and rescue the SANZAR partnership.
Recent times have seen SARU members criticise the collective with Australia and New Zealand, and they did admit that they are looking at other potential partnerships once the current deal runs its course.