Have the Wallabies been foxing?

5.00pm

SYDNEY - New Zealand fears that the Wallabies have been saving their best rugby of 2003 for the World Cup's final stages were heightened today by Australian captain George Gregan.

The season has been a disappointing one for Australian rugby, although that could all change tomorrow.

A below-par showing by Australia's three Super 12 franchises was followed by an embarrassing loss to England, a Tri-Nations tournament that reaped one win from four tests - including the record 21-50 loss to the All Blacks in Sydney - and a stuttery World Cup.

Their best rugby of the tournament was arguably played in the second half of their 33-16 quarterfinal win over Scotland last Saturday.

Gregan admitted some of their performances had not reached the standard of recent years but revealed there was good reason for it.

"We've definitely had our eyes on this period of the year," he said.

"We probably worked a bit harder through the domestic season than we had done previously, knowing that work was probably going to help us now.

"There's been that raised intensity at training this week without having to say it because everyone knows what's at stake."

Gregan didn't want their training policy to be seen as an excuse for the record loss to New Zealand here in July.

"They outplayed us, they were too good on the night. We didn't go in there to lose the match," he said.

"And we didn't go into the Bledisloe Cup series to give them back the Bledisloe Cup."

Gregan indicated both sides would introduce unseen elements to their play tomorrow although they could be subtle, a variation on a move rather than a new move altogether.

All Blacks counterpart Reuben Thorne said the criticism that has followed the Wallabies all week was unfair and would mean little.

"They've been getting a hard time but we're not foolish enough to buy into that theory that they're struggling," he said.

"They're a better team than that, they're a quality side with a lot of intelligence spread amongst them. They've got a chance on Saturday to do something pretty special and they won't be holding back."

He believed the best of the Australian skill level had yet to be seen. The Wallabies have made a whopping 68 handling errors in five games, with proven backline stars like first five-eighth Stephen Larkham and fullback Mat Rogers chief culprits.

Thorne said the negativity surrounding the Wallabies wouldn't be reflected by the expected vocal home crowd at Telstra Stadium.

"They'll have plenty of support. "I'm sure when we get to the ground, there's going to be a huge crowd there cheering them on. "I'm sure it will lift the Wallabies enormously, they always get great support at home with Waltzing Matilda and all the rest of it.

"There will be plenty of Kiwis there so hopefully they'll have plenty of voice also."

- NZPA