Rugby: Wallabies' composure a worry for Moore

A battered and bloodied Stephen Moore during Saturday night's Tri Nations test in Sydney. Photo / Getty Images

Wallabies hooker Stephen Moore admits Australia must improve their composure at the death in order to reclaim South Africa's world No 1 mantle.

Australia once again let a sizeable lead slip through their fingers when the All Blacks stormed back from 12-3 down to claim a nail-biting 19-18 victory in Sydney on Saturday night.

It left Australia winless after three Tri Nations outings and with a mountain to climb ahead of Saturday night's clash with the Proteas in Perth.

"We've lost a few we should have won and we need to get the skill of closing out those close games," Moore said on Monday.

"We are putting ourselves in a position to win them but that's only half the battle.

"You need the composure to close them out. That's something we have to find if we are to become the No 1 nation in the world.

"We are within sight of the finish line but the other teams have just got that knack at the moment of winning those close games and that's something we need to develop quickly.

"It's not a matter of consolidating the lead. We have to continue to play the way we want to play and not be dictated by the opposition.

"Until we learn to win those big games at the death we are not going to be No 1."

Moore said he expected South Africa to once again rely on first five-eighths Morne Steyn to kick them to victory via penalties on Saturday night.

"I've got no doubt they'll stick to the way they're playing," he said.

"It's been very successful for them, why would they change it?

"They do it very well, they make very few mistakes and that's why they're the No 1 team in the world.

"I think rugby is dominated by defence at the moment and tries are few and far between because defensive structures are so good that it's hard to penetrate.

"Most of the points are resulting from drop goals and penalties, unfortunately."

Moore was bleeding profusely throughout the loss to NZ after copping a heavy knock to the nose.

He even revealed he was unsure whether it had been broken or not.

"There's some stuff going on in there with cartilage and stuff," he shrugged.

"Fingers crossed it will heal well throughout the week.

"I just couldn't stop the bleeding during the game and that was the frustrating thing.

"It's stitched up and seems to have stopped bleeding now finally."

Meanwhile, a mounting injury toll has forced Australia to delay the naming of their team for Saturday's Tri-Nations clash against South Africa in Perth, Reuters reported today.

The Wallabies were due to name their side today but had to postpone the announcment until Thursday because of the heavy casualty list from last weekend's 19-18 loss to the All Blacks.

Teenage fullback James O'Connor and centre Berrick Barnes both missed Monday's training session in Perth after they were forced to leave the field against the All Blacks.

O'Connor hurt his leg and although x-rays cleared him of any fractures, he remains in doubt for this week's match against the world champions.

Barnes is also an uncertain starter after suffering concussion and injuring his neck.

There are also concerns about lock Nathan Sharpe, who hurt his shoulder, and blindside flanker Rocky Elsom, who damaged his ankle, Reuters said.

- AAP, agencies