Memories of bad times spur enough for Wallabies

By WYNNE GRAY in Sydney

When Wallaby No 8 Toutai Kefu tangles with the All Blacks he uses a memory bank of the bad times to allay any over-confidence.

The 39-test veteran agrees that he and his team-mates are self-assured facing the old foe in Sydney tomorrow night because of six victories in their last eight meetings, and the knowledge they have of the opposition through the Super 12 and Tri-Nations.

"You get a familiarity with their patterns and the way they play," he said.

"But I always remind myself when I play against them that four or five years ago it was not so rosy.

"It's an extra motivation to do well against the All Blacks and I am pretty sure most of the boys have been around during the leaner times in 1995, 1996 and into 1997.

"And once you get into the high periods like we have been for the last couple of years, it is important to milk it for as long as possible, because for every high there comes a low and that could arrive at any time."

Kefu has been the glue in the Wallabies loose forwards for some seasons, the worker who does not quite get the same kudos as David Wilson did and George Smith does now with Owen Finegan.

Last season, without Jeremy Paul or Finegan in the pack, Kefu was left as the principal ball-carrier, the bloke who made the advantage line for the support crew.

His consistency was a crucial part of the Wallabies' ability to confront larger, more physical packs.

That form has carried on against the Lions and into the Tri-Nations series.

At Carisbrook this month, the Wallabies reversed the history sheets and took another All Black scalp. Kefu thinks he can pinpoint the main reason.

"We probably have had the wood on them, but I think in the last game in Dunedin they might have gone into the game a bit over-confident," he said.

"Especially with their win over South Africa and our loss to South Africa.

"So I think there was a big problem for them on that occasion, but with the carrot of the Tri-Nations dangling, I fully expect this to be a really hard clash."

Did this year's variable results indicate a much harder Tri-Nations or did the Wallabies find the All Blacks easier to play than the Springboks?

Kefu found substance in both theories.

Scores had been close in most Tri-Nations games, indicating the difficulty in each test. Teams were winning with their defence, a ploy the Wallabies had been using for several seasons.

The Springboks were more aggressive and a spoiling type of side who made it difficult for the Wallabies to get into any rhythm.

The All Blacks had more skill and usually a more flexible game-plan, but they tended to rely on "individual brilliance more than teamwork."

There would be much made in the public about the Wallabies playing for their retiring captain John Eales, but as a leader he just emphasised what the team had to do to win the test and retain the Tri-Nations trophy.

It was a reflection of the man and his style - unflustered, cool and calm - a skipper with strong communication skills who always put the team before personal honour.