All Blacks: Wallabies fired up for decider

The gritty away win has the Wallabies squad in a buoyant mood for the final match. Photo / Getty Images

One overseas victory has reactivated the Wallabies' buoyancy. Not that it takes much.

The ebullience delivered by five-eighths Quade Cooper after their 14-9 win against the Boks in Durban was in strong contrast to the downcast nature he, teammates and coach Robbie Deans presented after their Bledisloe Cup demise.

That night at Eden Park they were extremely pensive after being dismantled 30-14 by the All Blacks when Cooper and many of his cronies weakened under the sustained pressure.

The tonic came, though, after a trip halfway around the world to meet the top Bok lineup. It was a tough assignment, especially as the Wallabies got just a few hours' rest in Auckland before they were roused for their longhaul flight to Africa via Sydney.

A gritty result for them means the Tri-Nations title will be decided in just under two weeks in Brisbane when the Ockers host the All Blacks. Back to Brisbane, where the Reds rule the rugby world, where they beat the Crusaders for the Super 15 title and where Cooper feels at ease with his game.

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"Psychologically having the test in Brisbane gives us a good boost," Cooper said. "Playing at Suncorp is great because it is a terrific stadium and we know we are in front of a supportive crowd."

The All Blacks might share that sentiment. They have played and beaten the Wallabies three times at Suncorp, although the largest winning margin was just seven points.

In the teams' six other meetings in Brisbane at the alternate Ballymore Stadium, the All Blacks have a ropey test history with three wins, two stalemates and a loss.

The only times the sides have clashed at Suncorp under Graham Henry and Robbie Deans' command, the All Blacks triumphed 28-24 in 2008. The international record between the two coaches is Henry's All Blacks 11 victories, Robbie Deans and the Wallabies two.

The Wallabies are due to announce their World Cup squad on Thursday. Intrigue is rising about the makeup of that 30-man squad as Deans juggles a lengthy injured list.

Former captains like Stirling Mortlock and Phil Waugh seem certain to miss the cut and a similar fate is reported to be circling Matt Giteau. However, experienced lock Nathan Sharpe may have saved his place with a strong showing at the weekend.

Injury uncertainty envelops a number of contenders. Hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau, No 8 Wycliff Palu, props Benn Robinson and James Slipper, outside backs Drew Mitchell and Rob Horne and five-eighths Berrick Barnes are all at various stages of recovery. The trick for the medical staff will be gauging who is nearly ready, then Deans and his selectors have to sort out who is a must-pick and who will be ready to start the tournament in a month.

The All Blacks are a shade more fortunate. Just in time they are able to check on the fitness and quality of tournament prospects such as Israel Dagg, Isaia Toeava, Richard Kahui, Victor Vito and Tony Woodcock this weekend in Port Elizabeth.

The only contenders who have been eliminated by injury are lock Anthony Boric, wing Sitiveni Sivivatu and flanker Daniel Braid.

While the All Blacks are desperate to maintain momentum and add to the Boks' misery, this match has the extra heat of being a once-in-four-years trial for a number of the tourists.