Wallabies lick their wounds in Durban

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ALL BLACKS THREAT: An hour after the Wallabies' epic triumph in Bloemfontein last weekend, the team focused on their next hurdle.

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The Wallabies have headed into camp to lick their wounds after the weekend's heartbreaking 44-31 Tri-Nations Test loss to South Africa in Pretoria.

The Australians are planning an intense week of training in the coastal city of Durban before Sunday morning's match against the Springboks back at altitude in Bloemfontein.

Coach Robbie Deans said there would be plenty of soul searching after the Wallabies let slip a 21-7 lead after making a near-perfect start at Loftus Versfeld.

"We've got to start with ourselves obviously and each and every one of us has to start with what part we played in it," he said.

"If we don't start there then there will be no change."

Injuries to lock Nathan Sharpe (ankle) and loose forward Scott Higginbotham (back) will be assessed this week with Higginbotham in more doubt for the Mandela Plate decider.

Australia have an opportunity to finish the Tri-Nations series on a high with a first win at altitude in South Africa in 47 years and another crack at champions New Zealand in Sydney the following week.

But captain Rocky Elsom said the focus was firmly on breaking the highveld hoodoo.

"The challenge is right in front of us with South Africa," he said.

"If it wasn't before, particularly now after the way the game went (on Saturday), we can't be thinking about anything further than our game on the weekend."

The Wallabies will train at soccer World Cup venue Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban.

- AAP