The Eels clinched a 27-20 win against Green Island at Peter Johnstone Park, but it was an ''ugly'' performance from the 2014 champion.
Taieri trailed 20-13 before kicking into action with a good team try, which finished with Brodie Hume taking a quick tap and diving over.
The winner came from a Green Island error in the final moments.
Winger Brad Lee let the ball bounce and Christian Kelly scooped it up and scored.
The Eels dominated the final quarter of the game and, on balance, deserved the win. But it was a sloppy performance characterised by too many basic mistakes.
''That is definitely not who we are or what we are about,'' Young said shortly after the match.
''I'm not taking anything away from Green Island. They really exposed us in that first half.
''We had a stern talk at halftime and changed our tactics a wee bit and managed to win, but it was a pretty ugly watch.
''We need to improve individually if we are going to get any further in this competition,'' he added.
It was meant to be a short turnaround this week, and Taieri was scheduled to play Kaikorai at Bishopscourt. But with the Dunedin City Council closing the grounds, the round of games will not go ahead today.
For Taieri it is an extra week to fix some of its flaws and for players to get over niggles
''The first three weeks were pretty tough on us. We went through 35 players, which made it difficult,'' Young said.
''But it gave others opportunities and we are rebuilding and really working hard at the club as far as growth in the junior grades goes. That's where we like to get our players from.
''But as a team we've just got to get better at what we do and be mindful that there are a lot of young men at the club who want to play at this level, too.
''Hopefully, in the next year or two we will be back [at our best].''