‘Inaccuracy’ a problem the Wallabies must fix to have any hopes of beating the Springboks

The Wallabies can’t afford another ill-disciplined performance against South Africa when the teams meet again on Saturday.

Tate McDermott (left) and Len Ikitau reflect on the Wallabies’ loss to South Africa in Brisbane. Picture: Morgan Hancock/Getty Images

Wallabies assistant coach Geoff Parling has demanded Australia improve its discipline against South Africa on Saturday night to avoid the risk of another pasting from the world champions.

Still licking their wounds after a 33-7 loss to the Springboks in Brisbane, the Wallabies are chasing redemption at Perth’s Optus Stadium this weekend.

The Australians lamented some missed opportunities at Suncorp Stadium, but also “inaccuracy” that proved costly in terms of giving away penalties and possession to the rampant visitors.

“A lack of discipline comes about when we’re inaccurate,” Parling said.

“It’s basically focusing on can we be more accurate in our game?

“You do not want to give a team like South Africa entry points in your 22-(metre zone). If you look at the first half (in Brisbane), we didn’t have much territory at all, so how can we exert our game?

“It’s just by being accurate when we get the chance to through set plays, through our own structured attack, defence … but (a lack of) discipline comes from being inaccurate, and unfortunately, we were particularly inaccurate in those first probably 10 minutes.”

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Parling said such problems sometimes occurred in a team “still getting to know each other”.

“Let’s be real about the team, (but) we’ve got some great players here, great lads, (and) we’ll keep plugging away at training.

“We don’t want to give them extra points, but the lads are fully aware of that.

“These are the current world champions, and as a pack, you know when you’re playing against the current world champions, and as a backline as well, you’ve got to be right on your game.

“It could have been a different game if we done our things better, and the review has been pretty direct with things we could do better.”

Wallabies centre Len Ikitau said while the team was disappointed with last Saturday’s loss, the focus had switched to this weekend’s battle in Perth after a review that showed Australia had chances but failed to capitalise on them.

“We missed a lot of opportunities out there last week, and for us, it’s making sure that we take those moments and capture those moments and move forward,” Ikitau said.

“The boys are just excited to get back out there. They (South Africa) are just big ball carriers who like to be aggressive and put you under a lot of pressure, and do that for the full 80 minutes.

“For us, it’s sticking in there, and matching their physicality.”

Originally published as ‘Inaccuracy’ a problem the Wallabies must fix to have any hopes of beating the Springboks