KEY POINTS:
Robbie Deans, aka the Messiah, is about to find out just how committed his new disciples are.
Since becoming the first non-Australian to coach the Wallabies, the former All Black has been painted as the single-handed saviour of Australian rugby. In the public relations battle with a rugby
media that has become increasingly sceptical about the direction of the game in recent years, he's not made a single false move.
From allowing players to re-acquaint themselves with club football to winning his first three tests at the helm, it's all been smooth sailing.
He's been lauded for performances, which in truth, had they come under the stewardship of Eddie Jones or John Connolly probably would have attracted a fair degree of negative criticism.
Such has been the faith placed in the miracle worker from Canterbury, and while only the churlish would begrudge him this welcoming embrace, he understands better than most that the real picture only begins to be unveiled when his team face the Springboks in Perth tomorrow night.
Under a new coach and some new playing personnel it is only natural the Wallabies are a work in progress, but in their matches against Ireland and France there were three specific areas which will cause concern for Deans as the level of competition steps up.
For some time now, the Wallaby scrum has not been a thing that's sent fear through the ranks of opposing packs. Occasionally mirth, rarely fear.
This situation has not changed overnight. There were promising moments in each of the three tests played so far but dominance was never nailed for the complete match.
With their two first choice hookers out of contention, the Springboks scrum is not as imposing as it may have been, but you can bet Krugerrands to KitKats that it's a contest they reckon they can own.
Evident in the scrummaging, but also in their overall play is the Wallabies' second problem area, consistency.
In every facet of the game, with the notable exception of defence, the Wallabies concentration switched off for lengthy periods against both the Irish and French. Their focus waivers, and while the South Africans can be guilty of certain shortcomings in their play, losing focus is never one of them. If they sense the Wallabies having a mid-match smoko, they are sure to pounce.
Problem number three for the home side has been lack of patience. With all the trumpeting of the new "fling it from everywhere" style that the press have suggested will be the hallmark of the Deans era, it appears some of the Wallaby players have been reading too many newspapers. They've been trying to build the penthouse before forming the foundations and again this is not something the South Africans are guilty of. Their foundations, particularly at the lineout, were impressive against the All Blacks and the Wallabies need to show far greater intensity at the set piece and breakdown area than has been the case so far in 2008.
The Wallabies will also need to be patient against the rushing backline defence. While Matt Giteau's first instinct is more about attacking with ball in hand, to do so without creating doubt in the Springboks mind by occasionally putting the ball behind them, might make his outside men sitting ducks.
Who's really able to say which side gets an advantage courtesy of the game's timing? The Springboks are clearly on a high after an historic win in Dunedin. Have two matches in New Zealand drained them either physically or mentally or both? Will Perth's large South African population make it almost a home game for Victor Matfield's men or will the extra travel from New Zealand add some fatigue. A lot of questions no one really knows the answers to.
As for what some of Deans' new won disciples will be thinking should things go awry in Perth. They'll reckon he's no longer the Messiah, but just a naughty little Kiwi.
* Andrew Slack is a former Wallaby
