Pack enforcer Rocky Elsom believes the battling 2009 Wallabies are better equipped to avoid slipping into the huge messy hole which cost Eddie Jones his job in 2005.

While Australia have slumped to their fourth straight defeat, their worst losing streak in four years, Elsom felt the current outfit could dig their way out of their Tri-Nations rut.

The raw-boned flanker was in his inaugural season of international rugby when the Wallabies lost eight of their last nine Tests of 2005 which resulted in Jones' axing.

Jones battled against a horrendous injury toll that year but also a string of internal problems off the field as other battles were fought behind the scenes.

Robbie Deans' 2009 Wallabies have also lost four consecutive Tests against South Africa and New Zealand, including three by less than seven points. But it's a rebuilding outfit with a greater purpose of direction.

"I think we had some pretty big problems then which helped to get to that big hole, and we don't have the same problems now," Elsom said on Sunday.

"In 2005 everyone tried really hard and it wasn't as though we gave up at any stage but I think we had problems in the unit that accelerated our downfall."

Elsom, one of Australia's best in his second game back from injury in the 32-25 loss to the Springboks, was more upset by the four-try hammering at Subiaco Oval than the heart-breaking 19-18 loss to NZ in his Sydney return.

"I think that was more disappointing because we created all the problems for ourselves," he said.

Highlighting the home team's forgettable night, before two consolation tries added some scoreline respectability, Richard Brown dropped the first kick, the visitors broke the line from their first pass and two soft tries were conceded in the opening 10 minutes.

The worst was a shocking miss of man-of-the-match Fourie du Preeze who took a quick tap five metres from the tryline and caught several Australians napping, including halfback rival Luke Burgess.

The Wallabies face a huge task to bounce back quickly in their third Test in as many weeks when they play the Springboks who are looking to officially seal their Tri-Nations title in Brisbane.

Australia have never lost to South Africa at Suncorp Stadium but they have never met a Springbok side in better form.

Elsom says it suits the Wallabies to test tiring bodies this Saturday night rather than stew on another painful loss.

"In some ways we're lucky we have them next week because we have another crack," he said.

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