Wynne Gray: Put Aussies back in their box

The Aussie Super Rugby teams, including Aidan Toua and the Reds, have had six rounds without any transtasman inquiry. Photo / Getty Images

Let the carnage continue. As Australia writhes through their cricketing stupidity, it's time to inflict some rugby reality on the teams across the water.

There has been a glow about some of that work with the blended production of the Force, the revival of the Reds and the occasional splash from the Waratahs offering hope of a revival to soften last season's troubles.

But they've been in a bubble of games among themselves or against sides from the South African conference.

It's been the dress-rehearsal before the real footy slaps them in the face tomorrow when they run into the first of the NZ sides who inflicted complete damage last season.

It's a Good Friday clash which should deliver plenty of sting and some perspective on standards as the conference-leading Rebels host the in-form Hurricanes in Melbourne.

The Rebels have one heavy defeat to the erratic Waratahs on their card, while the Canes opened with a tentative away loss to the Bulls but have climbed back steadily into their work.

'Game on' as the promos like to trumpet. Six rounds without any transtasman inquiry and the burgeoning form of the leading sides has lifted the comparative interest.

There will be massive odds against a repeat of New Zealand's shut-out last season when they inflicted a 25-0 round-robin embarrassment.

The format has changed and although the Sunwolves are in the Australian conference they can't be included on the victim list.

New Zealand sides play 16 games against their Australian rivals with the Blues, Chiefs, Hurricanes and Crusaders each having three games while the Highlanders play the four domestic sides left after the Force were cut from the tournament.

Their coach Dave Wessels and a cache of top players shifted to the Rebels and have combined to lead their conference and pit that form against the Hurricanes, who warmed up last round by delivering the first defeat for the Highlanders.

There has been cohesive sting and accuracy from forwards Adam Coleman, Amanaki Mafi and English lock Geoff Parling backed by the backline work of Reece Hodge, Dane Haylett-Petty and Marika Koroibete but the key figure in the revival is Wallaby halfback Will Genia.

When his pack delivers strong set-piece possession and tidy second-phase ball, Genia is a master at calling the plays and organising the right moves. With that sort of protection and time on the ball, Genia is able to scan defences and work sections of the field to create the most impact. He looks in the best shape for some seasons and when he runs he stresses ragged defensive lines.

Ditto for his opposite TJ Perenara, who brought up his centenary of Hurricanes games last week and is a powerful influence in the absence of captain Dane Coles.

Perenara's work with Beauden Barrett and their instincts for invention mixed with the basics is a powerful axis for a side which is bubbling towards being a consistent threat. Think any others in the backline from Ngani Laumape to Jordie Barrett and a pack which brings the energy and heart that assistant coach John Plumtree demands.

As results have come, there has been a rising confidence through Australian rugby that they are in a better space and on track to give their conference rivals a shake. That was an infrequent visitor last year when the Reds lost by a couple of points to the Crusaders and the Brumbies went close in several matches.

For most of the competition there was a deflated, resigned edge about the Australian sides but the bounce has returned, right on cue for the Hurricanes to put them back in their box.