Wallabies aren’t far off: coach

THE Wallabies are “closer than people think” to being a world rugby powerhouse again, assistant coach Dan McKellar says, despite three straight beatings by the All Blacks.

A 38-21 loss to the Kiwis in Perth on Sunday was another example of the gulf between the two nations.

The scoreline across the Bledisloe Cup clean sweep was 128-68 and showed how much the Wallabies have to make up when they take on World Cup champions South Africa this week.

But Mckellar, who joined coach Dave Rennie’s staff before the Bledisloe Cup losses, was adamant the Australians had shown enough, in attack at least, to present a growing threat to the Springboks.

Noting the South Africans were a “different challenge” to the Kiwis, he said the Wallabies were frustrated with the results but only had to take better advantage of opportunities to get the win they couldn’t against New Zealand.

“Disappointed and frustrated,” Mckellar said on Monday as the Wallabies headed to Queensland.

“We’ve had some really good periods within all three games but have been our own worse enemy at times.

“We think we’re closer than people think but the reality is we need to go back and focus on South Africa.”