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SYDNEY - There is a speck of light at the end of the Rugby World Cup tunnel, according to Wallabies legend Nick Farr-Jones, but it could be snuffed out if Australia cannot take a psychological edge over the All Blacks out of the Tri-Nations series.
The Wallabies' vastly improved performance against South Africa on Sunday has convinced Farr-Jones the Australians' belief that anyone can win on a World Cup day might be more than just wishful thinking.
"When they get in that mindset they're a very hard nut to crack," said the 1991 World Cup-winning captain.
"That's something that can give you confidence that the [upset] semifinal [win] against New Zealand in 2003 potentially wasn't just a one-off.
"We had a saying a long time ago when I played, 'Whatever it takes', and sometimes you get in that sort of mindset that it is whatever it takes - whatever it takes they're not coming through, and whatever it takes we're going to minimise our errors, play a superb game.
"I think that it was one of those mindset days, they have to try and become more consistent at it but the guys were very, very focused."
As well as their mental steel, Farr-Jones believes Australia's improvement was the result of the Wallabies - most notably Matt Giteau reinstated to second five-eighths - feeling comfortable in their positions and fringe players lifting to try to secure their tickets to France.
But he warned that Australia's chances of claiming the William Webb Ellis trophy for an unprecedented third time hinged on what they took out of Saturday week's test against the All Blacks in Melbourne and the return fixture in Auckland on July 21.
"When we've won the two World Cups in 91 and 99 both Wallaby teams had very important victories over the All Blacks in the year leading into those World Cups - psychological ascendancy over the All Blacks is very important.
"If we can unsettle them in Melbourne it will be tough [for them] in Paris before a semifinal against the Wallabies, if we get that far.
"If we can just put doubt in the back of their minds, they won't sleep that well ... they carry the weight of their country's expectations."
Farr-Jones admitted he was surprised at the Wallabies' lift in South Africa, where they have not won a test since 2000.
"I thought we'd actually lose by 15-20, maybe more."
-AAP
