'We need to start learning': Nic White says Wallabies must own mistakes

The shattered scrumhalf says the Wallabies need to start learning quickly after missing a golden opportunity to edge closer to their first trophy in the Dave Rennie era.

A nine-point lead evaporated after the Wallabies failed to make Argentina "chase the game", instead inviting them back into the contest via ill-discipline and errors as they strayed from Rennie's game plan.

A woeful points differential leaves Australia third on the Tri Nations table following a draw with Argentina in Newcastle on Saturday night, level on six points with the Pumas and New Zealand.

White will be left to stew on the result while Argentina prepare for the All Blacks this week, with the Wallabies effectively praying for the Pumas to replicate last week's historic triumph due to New Zealand's superior differential.

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"We let ourselves down in that regard. If we won here, we just had to go into that last game and win," White said.

"Now we've got to sit back, have a look and who knows? We did a really good job of showing a fair bit of pride in the jersey, they were physical and we matched that, you can't fault the work rate, the intent.

"It's all there, we've just got to marry that up with execution and play a bit smarter. We are a young side, but we can't be going day in, day out, week in, week out, saying 'we've spoken about this'. We need to start owning it and we need to start learning quick.

"I'd almost say every time there is a draw there is a team that comes away with it being a winning draw, and for the other team it's a losing draw. I certainly feel like we're in that category, the latter.

"That game was there for us to close out, and I'm pretty disappointed we haven't closed that out and learnt from Wellington. Pretty shattered.

"It's going to be hard reviewing. Moments like these, we've got to learn and we can't make these mistakes again."

Wallabies flyhalf Reece Hodge felt "like I've let my whole country down" after missing a penalty goal attempt in the 78^th minute which would have put the Australians ahead.

But White says Hodge is being far too harsh on himself given the Wallabies failed to capitalise on 62 per cent of possession and 69 per cent of territory with a try.

"It's not on Reece. It's good having a bloke who can kick that far and get us out of trouble, but that's exactly what he would have been doing, he would have been getting us out of trouble," White said.

"To a degree maybe we needed that draw to feel like this, because if he got us out of trouble, maybe we're not picking up on the things we need to pick up on pretty quick."