Mark Ella: Wallabies must step up to save the Cup

Wallabies coach Robbie Deans (L) talks with Matt Giteau. Photo / Getty Images

Opinion

For the sake of future Bledisloe Cup matches, it is important that the Wallabies bounce back tonight in Christchurch after their disappointing 49-28 loss to the All Blacks last weekend in Melbourne.

The Wallabies are on a hiding to nothing with a young side struggling to play with any consistency against a side at the peak of their powers.

Under coach Robbie Deans the Wallabies have gone for a youthful approach whereas the New Zealanders have gone for a combination of youth and experience which so far this year has given the All Blacks an even balance and another Tri-Nations title just one win away.

In his third year as Wallabies' coach Deans is no closer to selecting his best XV which must be a worry for the Australian Rugby Union one year out from a World Cup.

Deans has based his reputation on the Wallabies, who have failed to deliver the goods on so many occasions that I can't remember the last time we won more than three matches in a row.

The Aussie media haven't been slow to highlight the Wallabies lack of performance which at the moment is running at 8-0 and gets worse when you consider that they have won only two out of the last 16 Bledisloe Cup encounters.

We can improve on last week's embarrassment when the Wallabies let themselves down badly by giving the All Blacks a number of easy try scoring opportunities.

For years now the Wallabies have failed to go the distance and match the intensity of the All Blacks led by Richie McCaw who seems to be improving with age.

So far in this season's Tri-Nations matches, senior All Blacks have been in outstanding form and the likes of McCaw, Kieran Read, Keven Mealamu, Brad Thorn, Tony Woodcock and Mils Muliaina are getting better.

The one aspect of the game that is worrying from an Australian perspective is the lack of combination within the Wallabies' backline.

The Wallabies have a team of utility players who apart from halfback Will Genia are too accustomed at playing in different positions week-in week-out.

Deans must settle on his best XV sooner rather than later and decide for once and for all who is his best first five, second five, fullback and the like to develop formidable combinations who understand each other particular in pressure matches like the Bledisloe Cup.

The Wallabies will be a much improved outfit tonight but it is hard to imagine that if they couldn't win on home turf how they can possibly win in Christchurch with the odds firmly placed against them.

This is a great All Blacks side up against a side still getting to know itself but sadly lacking in self belief and commitment. Like the All Blacks, the Wallabies desperately need their senior players to lift their game to take the Kiwis head on - only then will they achieve success.

Former Wallaby five-eighths Mark Ella played 25 tests