Wallabies on 'brink of greatness'
Mark Chisholm believes the Wallabies are on the brink of greatness, even though they have lost their past four Tri Nations Tests to record their worst streak in four years.
Brumbies second-rower Chisholm, who made his Test comeback in the 32-25 loss to South Africa at Subiaco Oval in Perth, said that Robbie Deans's team was building towards another golden era for Australian rugby.
"I got a great feel for the team and where it's at," he said ahead of Saturday night's Test against the Springboks at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane.
"On the field, I felt the team is just inches away from firstly winning and secondly becoming something great.
"We're certainly heading in that direction and it's only a matter of time before we achieve those steps to get there.
"I can sense it."
The Wallabies looked anything but close to greatness in the opening half-an-hour against the Springboks at Subiaco Oval, where they fumbled and bumbled their way to a 22-3 deficit.
But Chisholm drew plenty of inspiration from the second-half rally in which the home side scored three tries to one, including two in the final five minutes, to add respectability to the scoreline.
"Running around the field, I found we're the fittest side out there," he said.
"And sitting in the grandstand the last couple of weeks, I certainly saw that as well, that we're finishing over the top of teams.
"It's just minor adjustments in the first 20 minutes that we're capable of that will give us a win.
"When a team is hot, they're hot.
"But defensively, we were inept and this week we've nutted that out."
The return of Berrick Barnes to inside centre is seen by both teams as a major boost to the Wallabies, as he's their backline's defensive linchpin.
Two of the four Springboks tries in Perth were scored due to miscommunication between Matt Giteau and makeshift inside centre Adam Ashley-Cooper from set moves off scrums.
Springboks assistant coach Dick Muir, like Chisholm, expects a far better Australia performance at Suncorp Stadium, where they are unbeaten against South Africa.
"They are a side with a lot of talent, and when they do put it together they are going to shock one or two sides," Muir said.
Barnes, meanwhile, promised the Wallabies would "play rugby" to overcome South Africa, preferring to use their running and passing game rather than attempting to win by outkicking Morne Steyn and Fourie du Preez.
Not since the 2-1 series win over the British and Irish Lions in June-July have the world champions been challenged at the business end of a Test.
They have comfortably disposed of both New Zealand and Australia, ranked No.2 and No.3 in the world, in two Tri Nations matches each to be just a bonus point from claiming the trophy.
But Chisholm, who made his Test debut in 2004, believes they will not overcome the young Wallabies, with an average age of 23-and-a-half, if the score is tight with 20 minutes to go.
"The body language was a big thing out there (late in the game in Perth," he said.
"If the match is in the balance then mentally and physically we can get over the top."
http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,...-23217,00.html
