Samoa's Eliota Fuimaono-Sapolu celebrates his side's victory over Australia in Sydney
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In his column for the Sydney Morning Herald, John Eales reflects on a recent reunion for the 1991 Rugby World Cup-winning Wallabies and offers a few tips for their 2011 counterparts.
"One: Respect every opposition. In the opening minutes yesterday, when the Wallabies kicked to touch rather than taking the three points on offer for a penalty goal, they played into Samoa's hands.
Subconsciously they sent the message that this was a game they expected to win. So when they didn't leave with points it was a huge fillip for the Samoans. Similarly, in attack they too often moved sideways rather than forward to confront their bustling opposition. There are no short cuts to victory, and there is no victory if at first you do not respect the basics.
Two: Age, experience and reputation don't matter as much as form. It's nice to have a mix of youth and experience and big names can be comforting, but it's more important to have players in form.
Ewen McKenzie, current Reds coach and tight-head prop from the class of '91, followed this policy through to the Super Rugby title and it has always been a mantra of Wallabies coach Robbie Deans. With most of the in-form Reds rested after their campaign, the Wallabies were left fielding players who had limited success this season."
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