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BRISBANE - Despite being heavily criticised for a last gasp win against an understrength Wales, Wallabies coach John Connolly believes Australia could justifiably move to world No 2 if they win the second rugby test at Brisbane on Saturday.
Buoyed by the sight of Stephen Larkham and Matt Giteau running freely at training today, Connolly even talked up his side's first test performance.
According to Connolly, Australia will be world No 2 if they won in Brisbane and the All Blacks down France in New Zealand on the same day.
Despite the fact France have taken an inexperienced squad who even supporters failed to recognise when they arrived in New Zealand today, Connolly said it would be "no glitch" in the world rankings if Australia moved to No 2.
"I don't see how it can't be because everyone plays each other (to decide the rankings)," he said.
"Arguably if we win this weekend and the French lose to New Zealand (this weekend) in the new world rankings we reckon we would be ranked No 2 in the world.
"What it does tell you is how even, how competitive international rugby is if you take the All Blacks out of it."
Australia are on the fourth tier in World Cup betting at A$12 according to TAB Sportsbet following their lacklustre first test win.
And some British bookies have Australia on the fifth tier of betting.
Connolly remained defiant, saying more time should be given for his Wallabies to find their feet in the leadup to the World Cup.
"This game (second test) is still very much about us, trying to run this squad of 30-odd players through," he said.
"It definitely is a test match and important to us, but you'd be foolish not to say you haven't got one eye down the road otherwise Lote (Tuqiri) wouldn't be sitting out.
"Things aren't going to flow all the time. We are going to have good days, bad days and tough days -- sometimes all that is mixed into one game."
Despite widespread criticism of his side who fell 0-17 behind against Wales before fighting back to snatch victory at the death, Connolly dipped his hat to the newlook backline that played in Sydney.
He praised the likes of rookie No 12 Adam Ashley-Cooper and first five-eighth Sam Norton-Knight after fighting back from such a huge deficit.
"At 17-0 down they would have had tremendous self doubt. To come back out of that will hold them in very good stead," he said.
"I was disappointed with a lot of aspects, but very happy that they held their composure."
That said, both Ashley-Cooper and Norton-Knight are expected to make way when the second test team are named tomorrow, with Larkham and George Gregan slotting into the halves with Giteau at second five-eighth.
On Giteau's knee injury suffered this week, Connolly said: "He's just had a bit of a knock, he's such a high energy player that you've just got to manage it properly."
Larkham (hamstring) also got through a 60 minute session comfortably today.
- AAP
