Caelan Doris admits Ireland must show a more ruthless edge in attack against Australia if they are to end their autumn on a winning note.
Ireland spent over eight minutes in the Fiji 22 last Saturday and were frustrated to only score five tries against their indisciplined visitors, who at one stage were reduced to 13 players.
Andy Farrell's much-changed side were also sloppy off restarts and conceded some pressure-releasing penalties, while they were twice cut open as Fiji ran in brilliant tries from inside their own half.
Doris knows they cannot afford a repeat when an under-pressure Australia visit the Aviva Stadium on Saturday night.
"It was quite a frustrating game in how we started, them scoring straight away," said Doris of the Fiji game.
"We got quite narrow off our kick-chase and we knew their main threat was their ability to spread the ball. They've incredible athletes, one-on-one ability, and then the ability to offload as well. That was disappointing.
"I think what was good from the game was that it was a new bunch, and the way we were able to stay in the moment.
"There was frustration in that we were very dominant and in their 22 for large periods and didn't convert. I don't know how many mauls we had that we got going forward and were either held up or they got through.
"There was that frustration but we're next-job focused which is a positive."
Saturday's autumn finale will be Farrell’s 30th game in charge of Ireland, with Doris handed his debut in Farrell’s first match as head coach against Scotland in the 2020 Six Nations.
The 24-year-old has played in all but seven matches of Farrell’s reign, becoming a key cog in Ireland’s back row.
"My debut was Andy’s first game so it was the start of the build of this new group and new environment," said the Mayo native.
"From the start, the balance between working hard and then, when we are off, enjoying each other’s company, getting to know each other, there has been a focus on that.
"In a way the Covid period probably helped because we were forced to spend more time with each other and we got to know each other better. Those relationships grew and as a result we had better craic off the pitch but also it helps on the pitch, too."
Follow a live blog of Ireland v Australia on RTÉ.ie/sport and RTÉ News app this Saturday from 8pm with live radio commentary on RTÉ Radio 1.
