Chances go by

SYDNEY: Wallabies coach Dave Rennie admits his side missed a golden opportunity to put one hand on the Rugby

Championship trophy, brutalised 248 by South Africa in Sydney.

Instead of moving a win clear at the top of the table after New Zealand’s 533 smashing of Argentina earlier on Saturday, the title is now anyone’s after the Springboks turned in a flawless display, highlighted by a dazzling debut try for 19yearold winger Canan Moodie.

The Wallabies now head into their twotest Bledisloe Cup series with all four sides on 22 records and the All Blacks topping the charts, having netted two bonuspoint wins.

Coming off a strong win over the world champion Springboks a week ago in Adelaide, the Wallabies were smashed in the collision and are still yet to win backtoback games this season.

‘‘I don’t know about one (step) forward, two (steps) back . . .

‘‘It’s a tough competition. You’ve got to be at your best every week to be in with a sniff,’’ coach Dave Rennie told reporters.

‘‘Clearly that’s been a big part of our mantra. We have an understanding we’re playing for something bigger than ourselves and there’s no shortage of motivation and certainly no shortage of belief.

‘‘We’ve got to win those key moments and we’ve got to do the basics a hell of a lot better.’’

The Springboks scored twice either side of the half but it was Moodie’s first test try that stole the show, soaring above Marika Koroibete to pluck a towering Jaden Hendrikse box kick and race away to score.

Winger Makazola Mapimpi capped the win on 72 minutes, his try producing one of several skirmishes.

Mapimpi was sinbinned for sparking a big scuffle when he pushed Koroibete after beating him to score.

Australia lost centre Hunter Paisami and fiveeighth Noah Lolesio to head knocks, while impact bench prop Taniela Tupou never entered the fray after a calf injury sustained while warming up.—