The Sydney Morning Herald's Greg Growden offers what he thinks Australia must do if they are to win the Rugby World Cup.
"2. Don't be intimidated by being in New Zealand - The Shaky Isles can be a stifling place for any visiting team, because you can't get away from that country's rugby obsession. They come at you from every angle. Deans probably wouldn't admit it, but he becomes considerably more tense when he returns to his home country. He becomes guarded, and that tension can rub onto his players. Tense teams don't win big tournaments, and so the Wallabies must be prepared to lighten up and enjoy their surroundings. One good sign is that they will disappear for a while, head to the hills and the delights of Hanmer Springs on the South Island during the pool stage. That should at least give them some reprieve from every rugby know-all in the country … and there's thousands of them.
"...4. Set piece must be dominant - In recent years, the Wallabies have got their priorities right and ensured they have a scrum of note, plus a lineout that can terrorise all. The biggest transformation has occurred at scrum time, with the Test pack, which for so long was regarded as second rate, now a consistent weapon. This year the scrum has stood up in every Test, and with it has emerged a formidable front row in Sekope Kepu, Stephen Moore and Ben Alexander. Also hovering in the background is Tatafu Polota-Nau. There shouldn't be any problems at the lineout, with the Wallabies boasting four reliable second-rowers - James Horwill, Dan Vickerman, Rob Simmons and Nathan Sharpe."
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