Wallabies fullback Jock Campbell is hoping the side can find its ruthless edge as they look to rebound against France on Saturday in Brisbane.
The Australians started their year with a narrow 33-31 loss to Ireland in Sydney, left to lament the missed opportunity for a home victory over the third-ranked side.
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They led 24-12 before the break and had the chance for further points thanks to breaks from Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii and Max Jorgensen.
In the end, a 14-point swing saw Jamison Gibson-Park cross on half-time, proving the difference.
“It's just a few moments, I guess," Campbell told reporters.
“They were very clinical when they got some opportunities and I think we let a couple slip. Looking at review, that's hard to take because we did have our opportunities, but we're excited to rectify that this week.
“I guess it's encouraging, but at the end of the day, you've got to do it on the field. So, whilst it might be encouraging, until we do that and get over the hump, we don't really want to be in the same position next week.
“...When we do get those moments, we've got to nail them around our roles around securing those line breaks and not turning the ball over in those areas, just trying to give them as little opportunity as possible.”
Campbell was one of the Wallabies best on his return to Test Rugby, scoring one and setting up another in the first half.
It ended a 1,300-day wait between Test matches, with the 31-year-old embracing the chance to return to the gold jersey after letting his Super Rugby form do the talking
“It was good to be back. I thought the atmosphere was great and I felt good out there," the fullback reflected.
“I had a lot of fun, and the result didn't go our way, which was very disappointing, but it's a big moment for my family and me, and it was good to share that with them.
“You always have [Test] ambitions. I think everyone that plays Super Rugby would have those ambitions, but it's definitely not my main focus. It was trying to get the Reds to play some good footy there and see what happens.”
Campbell is familiar with the French, having made his starting Test debut against them in a narrow one-point loss in 2022.
“They were great as always," he added on France's performance last week in a two-point loss to New Zealand. "The French style is unique to them and really good to watch and they've obviously got a lot of strike out wide. I thought they played really well."
