Splish-splash, may we not take a bath

The 1990 Wallabies beat the odds and the All Blacks. From left, Greg Martin, Michael Lynagh and Nick Farr-Jones, with coach Bob Dwyer behind.

The way the Wallabies have been going, a swim in the Waitemata Harbour tonight might seem appealing for captain George Gregan.

In 1990, Wallaby skipper Nick Farr-Jones and teammate Tim Horan plunged into the freezing waters of Wellington Harbour to honour a pledge after beating the All Blacks.

That August day, the Wallabies arrived at Athletic Park in all sorts of strife.

They had lost the previous two Bledisloe Cup tests on that tour, and there was a growing clamour for coach Bob Dwyer and some senior players to be replaced for the World Cup the following year.

Meanwhile the All Blacks were unbeaten in 23 tests since 1986, when they lost in France.

On the way to the ground, injured loose forward Brendan Nasser gave the traditional speech from a non-player imploring his team-mates to honour Australia.

In their changing room, the Wallabies encouraged each other to defy the All Blacks and avoid a blackwash and the selection scrapheap. They set the tone when they eyeballed the All Blacks during the haka.

The forwards were fractious but never took their eye off their work.

That is a policy today's coach, John Connolly, wants repeated at Eden Park tonight.

He wants more mongrel from his pack but without any roughhouse tactics or violence.

Both sides have rejected brutality at Eden Park. All Black captain Richie McCaw said it would be counterproductive, a sign a team had run out of ideas - and foolish if any Wallabies wanted to tangle with someone like Jerry Collins.

In Wellington 16 years ago, the Wallabies did not dish the dirt either, but they were on the front foot.

When they took the lead soon after halftime, tryscorer Phil Kearns aimed a digital salute and a tirade at Sean Fitzpatrick in a get-square for the torrent of abuse that had been coming from the All Black hooker.

The Wallabies won 21-9 and most went on to the 1991 World Cup triumph.

Today's Wallabies are at a similar crossroads. Connolly is not under the heat Dwyer was, but scrutiny of his strategies and style has intensified after several uninspiring performances from his team.

Contributions from senior men such as Gregan, Stephen Larkham and Nathan Sharpe are being harshly dissected, and their leadership questioned.

It was baffling to watch the Wallabies persist with their kickathon against the Springboks and doubts were also raised about their lack of cutting edge in Brisbane.

If the All Blacks have been concerned about a conservative trend in their play, goodness knows what they think of the Wallabies' bland attacking efforts in this Bledisloe Cup series.

The odds were against the Wallabies retrieving their mojo in 1990 but they did, and and Farr-Jones and Horan honoured their promise to take an icy dip.

After the dramas this season, Connolly might be persuaded to join Gregan in a watery splashdown if the Wallabies achieve victory tonight.