Luke Burgess appears to be assured of a long Test career. But he is the first to admit he is short of the required mark just now and that, if he doesn't improve quickly, it may be all taken away from him.

While his first two Test appearances encouraged Wallabies fans who appreciated his willingness to trust his arm and attack the advantage line, the quality of his passing has been well below the bar Burgess set at Super 14 and club level.

Burgess is renowned for being one of the smartest distributors in Australian rugby, but both Tests have included their fair share of wayward passes that have made the job of five-eighth Matt Giteau more difficult.

Burgess knows that. "I don't think my contribution in the Tests so far has been enough," the Waratahs halfback said yesterday. "I've just been inaccurate with my passing, and that has stifled the attack a bit. That needs to improve."

Burgess insists the best way to overcome his recent dip is to practise basic passing skills again and again. "I tend to need a lot of volume of passing during the week," he said. "That's what I need to focus on. I like it when it's nice and clean. I love just quickly clearing it from the base. Digging it out [of the rucks] makes a big difference."

However, Burgess argues that he has not been overawed by the step up to Test level.

"The biggest challenge has been slotting into a new environment," he said. "The challenges from Ireland and France really hasn't been that different to Super 14 rugby. They are probably more clinical, every phase is precise, and they win their ball quicker. But as far as surprises in attack or intensity in defence, it hasn't been that much greater than Super 14."

Meanwhile, Wallabies forwards coach Jim Williams said that while he was not surprised France had made wholesale changes for the second Test, he believed they blundered in leaving Sebastien Chabal in the second row.

"I believe Chabal's best impact is at No.8, because he can be a little bit more loose and can get around the park more," Williams said. "He is a back-rower by heart and a lazy scrummager, to tell you the truth. I think he would have been better at No.8."