Australia desperately need to improve their consistency if they are to stand a chance of glory at this year's Rugby World Cup in Japan, says George Gregan.
The Wallabies endured a difficult 2018, losing nine of their 13 Test matches as Michael Cheika's side struggled to find a sustainable winning formula.
Victories over Ireland and South Africa in Brisbane proved the highlights of an otherwise troublesome 12 months, which also featured a defeat to Argentina and three resounding losses at the hands of old foes New Zealand.
And former scrum-half Gregan, a veteran of four World Cups including a triumphant campaign in 1999 and a run to the final as captain four years later, knows Australia must act swiftly if they are to lift the Webb Ellis Cup in Yokohama on November 2.
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"I think they really have been oscillating from some good performances to some really poor performances," he told Omnisport, speaking as a Land Rover ambassador.
"And that's what really good teams do, there is a consistency in what they do, and they've been inconsistent.
"I think the end-of-season tour was a really poor way to finish the year, results-wise, and so they have got a lot of work to do. The thing with a World Cup year, is there's plenty of time.
"In the sense that you've got a limited program, they've got four Test matches. Two of those against New Zealand, so they are going to be playing some tough Test matches, Argentina and then South Africa.
"It is a seven-week campaign if you make the final of a World Cup, so there is an 11-game season, to be fair. So they have got a chance to build some consistency into their performances, but they need to start now."
The Wallabies begin with a Pool D match against Fiji on September 21 before further clashes with Wales, Uruguay and Georgia.
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