KEY POINTS:
Since the Melbourne test match the Aussies have got stuck into the All Blacks.
We've heard former coaches Bob Dwyer and Eddie Jones, captain Stirling Mortlock, and senior players Stephen Larkham and George Gregan among others talking down the All Blacks and questioning how they will react at Eden Park tomorrow night - and more importantly, in France in September-October.
I've found these comments amusing, but not untypical of a team and a nation which plays above its weight.
Maybe the Australians should look at their own performances before launching too hard into the All Blacks.
If we dissect the current Wallaby team we make some interesting discoveries.
The pack is still very average at the scrum and seems to rely on the smarts of Gregan and gullibility of some referees to survive, let alone compete.
The latest hooker, Stephen Moore, makes Anton Oliver and Keven Mealamu look like the most accurate lineout throwers in the world. Think barn doors when it comes to Moore.
Gregan and Larkham are hanging on mainly because there are no other quality replacements.
Matt Giteau seems to cover both positions and such is the depth of Aussie rugby that they only have two back reserves.
With Julian Huxley getting injured at a Brumbies dinner, Chris Latham was considered, even though he has just given away the crutches after a serious injury - and that's another clear indicator of an absence of depth in Australian rugby.
Nathan Sharpe and Dan Vickerman are quality locks, but may get agitated by Moore's inability to find his targets, and prop Matt Dunning's swan dives at scrum time.
George Smith is right up there with Richie McCaw as a No 7 and would not look out of place in the All Black side.
Giteau has so much class the Wallabies want him to play three positions at once.
Mortlock is a hard nut mentally, and balanced with intelligence and physical strength.
But in my book the rest are a pretty average lot.
At the moment, I think Australia can beat the All Blacks perhaps one game out of five. Melbourne three weeks ago was that game and, frankly, I struggle to see them winning at Eden Park for the first time since 1986.
In fact, their record anywhere away from home in the last few years has been pretty poor. So what gives these guys the right to question the All Blacks when they should have plenty to worry about themselves?
Maybe they believe the only way to beat this All Black team is with off-the-field banter, aimed at bringing doubt onto the field.
This is the real test for the All Blacks. How will they react to the mounting pressure of this match, and at the World Cup?
According to the management, there has been a focus on player development over the last three years.
But I wonder if Graham Henry and his fellow selectors are as pleased with progress as their recent public statements indicate.
I agree with Henry's philosophy of scoring tries and playing with pace. I would like to see a better platform created and more doubt put in the opposition's minds than at present with regard to the areas through which the All Blacks will attack.
Last season their defensive line was ruthless and brutal, which made attacks hesitate.
A return of those attributes tomorrow night might just be enough to lower the volume of noise from across the Tasman.
* John Drake is a former All Black prop.
