James Slipper urges Wallabies to use Springboks defeat as motivation

Australia skipper James Slipper has urged his side to use the defeat against the Springboks in Sydney as a motivation ahead of the final leg of the Rugby Championship competition against New Zealand.

The Wallabies like the other three teams in the competition had a mixed competition after managing a defeat and a win apiece against both Argentina and South Africa.

Having entered the Sydney encounter last weekend with a lot of confidence, all they managed was a late try from Peter Samu in the closing stage apart from a first half penalty from Noah Lolesio as they went down 8-24 against the World Champions.

The defeat also ended their winning streak against South Africa at home since 2013 and Slipper, who replaced Michael Hooper as the captain after the latter pulled out of the competition admitted that the result was painful.

“I just wanted the boys to realise how much it hurts and hold on to that, really, and let that drive you into the future,” he said.

“This one has to hurt a lot, I want the boys to hurt because, yes, South Africa were good, but I just felt like we didn’t really play much rugby at all.

“Them winning the collision really hurts me.”

Despite the defeat, the 33-year-old believes the team is on the right track as they look to improve heading towards the Rugby World Cup next year in France.

“We wanted to review last week and be a better rugby team. At no stage do we think we’re the finished product,” he said.

“Individually, we just need to have a look at ourselves and I’m confident we’re tracking the right direction and we just need a bit more polish and just need to execute on the pressure.”

Australia now will be facing the All Blacks in the final two rounds on 15th and 24th September.