Wallabies gaining, but ABs are top - coach

Michael Foley believes the resurgent Wallabies will be a match for a powerful South Africa and the top-ranking All Blacks. Chris McGrath / Getty Images

It's a long way short of springtime in Australia, yet the new shoots of promise in Aussie rugby are clearly visible.

The sackcloth and ashes of last year - and nobody does doom and gloom in sport like the Aussies - have been replaced by three test match victories in the build-up to today's opening Tri-Nations clash against New Zealand in Christchurch.

Already, the Wallabies look far removed from the predictable outfit that lost eight tests in a row under former coach Eddie Jones.

Their new forwards coach, Michael Foley, acknowledges the evidence of an Australian renaissance, but says the contest starts today.

"South Africa's performance in last year's Tri-Nations was incredibly tough and very physical and showed a lot of spirit. Out of that performance, they will build even more on their game this year.

"Australia have a wonderful backline and are very determined to try to address their forwards.

"As for New Zealand, I think they are playing the most complete game at the moment."

But does Foley agree with the cliched jibe that New Zealand have again peaked between World Cups?

"I definitely don't think they have. New Zealand is better than anybody else in the world at staying focused on trying to be better all the time. Their culture demands it.

"The sport of rugby is part of their national psyche and they are incredibly good. Wayne Smith is one of the best coaches in the world, not to mention Graham Henry and Steve Hansen.

"But they would have sat down at the end of last year, after what was a fantastic year containing the Lions series, Tri-Nations, Bledisloe Cup, a grand slam tour of the UK and Ireland, and said 'how do we do it better'?

"Most people would say you couldn't do any better, but I'm sure they'll be finding ways."

Foley says analysing the Springboks, who play the All Blacks in Wellington on July 22, is far from straightforward.

"I feel that since Jake [White] has taken over, South Africa have been gradually building, and to try and put a finger on them is not easy. Different styles are being played in their provinces and that doesn't make it easy.

"But Jake's a skilled selector and a very good man manager. The test performances South Africa have delivered with him as coach have been very impressive. But I think they are going to add more to their game this year.

"Last year, I thought they were defensively probably one of the better teams in world rugby, if not the best team. I think what you're going to see this year is even more attack. Last year, they built a score on great defence.

"Bryan Habana capitalised on so many loose turnovers from the opposition based on wonderful defence. That was great thinking by their coaching staff because that's what they could do at that time. But I'm sure they will now develop their game."

Foley says the Wallabies regard this year's tournament as the ultimate yardstick of their own progress. But he believes they're ready for it.

"It's definitely a yardstick because New Zealand are the best team in the world at the moment and play the most complete game.

"Then you have an improving side in South Africa and that's going to give us a great benchmark.

"As a new coaching team, we are trying to put certain things in place, albeit gradually, and we know whatever we deliver will be better by the World Cup. But this is still a yardstick.

"We're going to be looking at different areas and different aspects of our game, specifically for me in the forwards, how we match up in those set piece areas and more mentally than physically.

"Technically you can improve if you desire the improvement.

"The players feel very disappointed about what they were able to deliver compared to what they were capable of delivering last year. But they've worked incredibly hard in the provinces to develop a more forward oriented game."

Peter Bills is a rugby writer for Independent News & Media in London