Stephen Larkham is feeling the Super Rugby Pacific squeeze, admitting his ACT Brumbies have "some work to do" while backing a key pair for overdue Wallabies caps.
The Brumbies (3-3), traditionally Australia's leading franchise after back-to-back semi-final appearances, were beaten 25-23 to end a 13-game winning streak against the NSW Waratahs (4-1) on the weekend.
Wins to the Queensland Reds (4-1) and Western Force (3-3) either side of that left all four Australian teams inside the top six of the 11-team ladder.
Defending champions the Blues (1-5) are ninth while the Hurricanes and Highlanders are also on the outer with 2-3 records.
"It's a tight ladder; great to see the four teams in the top six, pretty unusual for Australian rugby," Larkham said on Wednesday.
"But for us, sitting in the top six is not where we want to be. You want to be right up the top, top two.
"So we have some work to do."
Larkham lamented his team's inability to maintain their composure after several decisions went against them, including a disallowed try based on a knock-on - deemed backwards at the time - almost two minutes and eight phases earlier in the play.
"The match officials have admitted they've made a few mistakes, which happens every week," Larkham said.
"The challenge is to make sure we're moving on better than what we did on the weekend.
"There was a lot of frustration that was carried over and we lost a bit of composure, in the coaches box, sideline and field.
"The game's pretty chaotic. we have to make sure we're better with our composure."
Uncapped Test hopefuls Luke Reimer and Ryan Lonergan have been rested for Friday's Canberra clash with the Highlanders, a nod to their proximity plans ahead of a huge international calendar.
Their absence follows a host of similar moves from Australian clubs with their Test talents, Larkham revealing the Rugby Australia (RA) directive was for those players not to play more than six consecutive games.
"Our conversations with RA have given us the indication that we're good after the bye round (next week)," the coach said.
"So hopefully for the rest of the season now we have everyone available for selection."
The coach said scrumhalf Lonergan and flying winger Corey Toole in "come to mind straight away" when discussing Wallabies selections.
"Ryan this year has really stepped up," Larkham said.
"(Toole's) come up against some pretty big wingers and not only been good in tackle contests, but with ball in air.
"A big part of the competition now is there is alot more contests in the air, particularly on the edges.
"You're not allowed to screen, so there's a lot more one-on-one and Tooley's been doing a good job there."
