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Sydney (AFP)
Frustrated Wallabies coach Dave Rennie criticized his team’s “silly mistakes” after another erratic and poorly disciplined performance against Argentina left Australia with just a six win this year and the Three Nations wooden spoon. .
They rallied 13-6 at halftime in torrential rain in Sydney on Saturday to salvage a 16-16 draw, but careless ball handling and poor execution again ruined their game.
A 15-15 draw against the Pumas followed a fortnight ago, when they blew a 15-6 lead.
“We are a work in progress. We are good men who have worked hard and bonded well, but, like I said, we need to see that reflected in performance,” Rennie said.
“There is no lack of heart or effort, but we have to be much more clinical. The discipline was disappointing and we made some silly mistakes.”
Poor discipline has been a recurring problem with too many silly sanctions imposed on the opposition.
On Saturday, captain Michael Hooper was trashed for a high inning in the first half, with the Cougars scoring 10 of his points while he was off the field.
Then Lukhan Salakaia-Loto was suspended with 20 minutes remaining for dangerous play.
Despite having 14 men, the Wallabies managed to fight their way back into the game and could have won if Reece Hodge had converted a late penalty.
It was the third time this year that he missed long-range shots to finish matches, and the stalemate was not well received by the Australian media.
The Australian said it sent the team “almost back to square one”, while the Sydney Morning Herald lamented a “depressing and bitter” end to the year.
The Sydney Daily Telegraph was even more brutal.
“The Wallabies have been at camp together for months, but they were so out of place it felt like they were going to meet on a Tinder date for the first time,” he said.
– Amazing trip –
New Zealander Rennie was drafted after Michael Cheika, who now works with Argentina, was fired after a poor World Cup performance last year and his reign began on a promising note with an unexpected 16-16 draw against the All Blacks in Wellington in October.
The Wallabies were then beaten twice by their trans-Tasman rivals before defeating Ian Foster’s men 24-22 in Brisbane.
But two consecutive draws against Argentina have again increased the pressure.
“We won one of six, if you look at it from that perspective,” Rennie said.
“It’s disappointing, but I guess we understand where we are.”
By contrast, Argentina has done better than expected despite a tumultuous tour.
They endured cases of Covid-19, lockdowns and quarantine restrictions, criticism for an apparent lack of respect for the late Diego Maradona, and a racist tweet scandal last week.
Throughout they showed remarkable resilience, earning their first win against New Zealand in 35 years on the basis of fierce defense.
They lost the second leg against the All Blacks, but drew twice with Australia to finish second in the Tri Nations on points difference.
“These guys just keep surprising us,” Ledesma said of his team, many of whom have been on the road for four months.
“They never lower their heads, they never complain, they don’t complain, they are always really positive. They love each other.
“It has been an incredible journey, all year long,” he added. “I am very proud and happy for the boys.”
© 2020 AFP
