Wallaby James O'Connor orders up an apology

ANOTHER pre-dawn burger run could bring dark repercussions, but Robbie Deans is predicting a brighter future for James O'Connor and Kurtley Beale.

ANOTHER pre-dawn burger run could bring dark repercussions, but Test coach Robbie Deans is otherwise predicting a brighter on-field future for James O'Connor and Kurtley Beale after the Wallabies' tense 16-15 victory over the Lions.

O'Connor and Beale yesterday fronted media to express contrition for staying out until 4am on Wednesday, four days before the second Test on Saturday night.

The star backs were out with Rebels teammates, though not drinking, and were snapped with a Lions fan in a Hungry Jack's outlet, infuriating senior teammates.

"We have spoken to Robbie, and we have spoken to the players in our team. Although we didn't break team protocol or anything like that, it is a lack of judgment on our behalf," O'Connor said.

O'Connor shows his best and worst at No.10

"It is not ideal preparation during a Test week.

"It won't happen again, and we'll be better for it.

"As far as we are concerned it is a closed issue now."

O'Connor denied the incident had affected the Wallabies' preparations but conceded the lesson was "to be smarter".

Wallabies win but game a failure

Beale, who has battled off-field problems in recent months, said he had not feared he would be dropped.

O'Connor said the matter was now "finished", but fed-up senior players are considering imposing a curfew on Tuesday nights, the evening before the Wallabies' day off.

Asked if he was confident the pair would not find trouble again, Deans said: "Who knows? It's how you respond, it's like the game."

The coach indicated O'Connor and Beale had run out of last chances, however.

"I would be reasonably confident it won't happen again. It wouldn't be a good scene for these blokes if it did, or the team," Deans said.

"That's the nature of a team game. You are only as good as your weakest link. Opposition prey on those opportunities."

Despite the midweek drama, O'Connor ultimately helped the Wallabies secure their victory,

putting Adam Ashley-Cooper into a hole in the last five minutes for the game's only try.

"As a team we are improving and I am improving, game by game," O'Connor said.

Deans said O'Connor, Beale and a new backline division containing Christian Lealiifano (two caps), Israel Folau (two) and Joe Tomane (two) would get better after a rusty first outing together.

He explained away the handling errors from the Wallabies - who dropped the ball in 80 per cent of their visits to the Lions red-zone - as a by-product of their desire to keep "chancing their arm" and fatigue the Lions.

"You have got to push the envelope, so to speak, in order to win," Deans said, in a reference to the conservative Lions game plan in Melbourne.