Wallabies just not fit enough, says Moore

Wallabies skipper Stephen Moore says he can't figure out why Super Rugby franchises aren't training players to the level required in Test rugby.

Stephen Moore

Wallabies captain Stephen Moore has criticised Super Rugby franchises. (AAP)

Wallabies captain Stephen Moore has criticised Super Rugby franchises for not preparing players for the rigours of Test rugby.

After overcoming Italy 40-27 on Saturday, the Wallabies shift their attention to their Rugby Championship opener against New Zealand on August 19, and what they need to do between now and then to be competitive.

Moore echoed remarks made by coach Michael Cheika throughout the June Test series, saying players simply weren't fit enough for the international arena.

"It shouldn't be hard for Super Rugby to produce players that are ready for Test match footy," he said.

"I don't know what the issue is there, but we need to make sure the next two months or whatever it is ... we can't waste a day.

"There is a gap between Super Rugby and Test rugby, the intensity's up, but that doesn't mean we can't train like we have to play Test footy.

"We measure everything now and we should be able to tell that stuff pretty easily.

"That's probably the key over the next period of time."

Cheika later interjected in the media conference to make it clear the responsibility for preparing the Wallabies laid at his feet alone.

But he said he would have a "discussion" with Super Rugby coaches to ensure players would be up to speed by the time they re-assembled ahead of the first of three Bledisloe Cup clashes with New Zealand.

Cheika suggested part of the reason for their sub-standard displays against Scotland and Italy was because of their higher training workloads in camp.

"If we didn't do it over these three weeks and start that, it'll be too late for later on," he said.

"Maybe that's taken some of the edge off some of our performances because we've been going hard at it.

"We've got to work extra hard and we've got to be prepared to work even harder once we come out of Super Rugby for that little block to be ready, because at least the fitness base can let us be in the hunt.

"Then, from there, it'll be how good a footballers we are."


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Source: AAP



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