The Wallabies learned a lot about themselves at the graveyard of Eden Park when they lost to the All Blacks last Saturday.
A big lesson for the Wallabies – who haven't won in Auckland for 20 years – is that there is a fine line between aggressive play and illegal play.
Openside flanker Phil Waugh, who was given a rare start because of his speed and who was eventually sin-binned, was lucky to escape early censure for a head-high tackle on a defenceless All Black captain Richie McCaw.
Winger Lote Tuquiri, who scored two tries, spear tackled McCaw in the second half, which was a defining moment in the spectacular Test match.
To that point the Wallabies had outplayed the All Blacks. However, after the tackle – which left McCaw prone for several minutes – the New Zealanders found both aggression and discipline.
The Wallaby approach, which was signalled pre-game by coach John Connolly, gave the Australians the opportunity to win the Test – but it also cost the Test. With a little fine-tuning, this brutal approach will win matches.
There were several other lessons that became apparent.
The Wallabies will not beat top sides without flyhalf Stephen Larkham.
The All Blacks made five rotation-policy changes to the team that beat the Wallabies three weeks ago in Brisbane, again flaunting their depth of skilled-up Test players.
The scrum is deficient. It is improving under Connolly, but the rookie props need experience, which, unfortunately, will only be gained through bitter experience.
That re-vitalised captain and halfback George Gregan remains the best Australia has, but he is still not quite good enough.
And the final lesson is for all the fringe players: there are genuine opportunities to make the team that contests the World Cup in France next year.
With nothing left to play for but pride, the Wallabies next face the Springboks in Johannesburg on September 9.
In the meantime, the All Blacks will play the Springboks twice. The first game is on Saturday at altitude at the famous Loftus Versfield ground in Pretoria.
So far the Boks have lost their three away Tri Nations Tests, two against Australia and one against the All Blacks.
Because the chances of the injury-hit Springboks beating the All Blacks are slim, they will be determined to beat the Wallabies in Johannesburg.
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