When Wallabies fans emerged from Sydney’s Allianz Stadium after seeing their team’s 24-8 against South Africa, James Slipper rallied his troops and addressed them.
“I just wanted the guys to realize how much it hurts and really hold on and let it take you into the future,” the captain told reporters after Saturday’s game.
“This must hurt a lot, I want the boys to suffer because, yes, South Africa was good, but I felt like we weren’t really playing rugby a lot.
“Winning the collision really hurts me.”
The Wallabies had few winners on the night and once again failed to win consecutive games, again with only one winning streak in manager Dave Rennie’s 27 games.
Slipper did not deny that his team had a consistency issue, but insisted there was no complacency before the critical meeting.
“We wanted to revisit last week … and be a better rugby team. At no time do we feel like we’re the finished product, ”she said.
“Individually we just have to look at each other and I am confident that we are going in the right direction and we just need a little more clarity and we just have to exert the pressure.”
But once the negativity of the tough defeat is dissipated, Slipper’s side will see they are one of four rugby league teams with a 2-2 record as the tournament enters the final stages.
The Wallabies will have to stop the 20-year Bledisloe Cup drought to win the title, but Slipper begged his teammates to return to work determined to make history.
“We may be disappointed for a day or two, but at the end of the day the All Blacks will arrive in two weeks and if you keep kicking it won’t help anyone. who, ”she said.
“I want it to hurt but at the same time I want to be better, we have to be better and that’s what I just challenged the group.”