I am not prepared to change course on my thinking that this is a Wallaby squad of great potential, writes Andrew Slack.

Pictures from the Bledisloe Cup match between the Wallabies and the All Blacks at ANZ Stadium on August 17, 2013 in Sydney, Australia.

When David Kirk casts his inquiring senses across tonight's transtasman duel, he favours the All Blacks and in particular their forwards to make the damaging inroads.

Mark Ella was a useful five-eighth, which is a bit like suggesting Bradman could hold a bat.

What chance of another Dipak Patel moment or, for those with longer memories, a John Beck chapter in tonight's start to the Bledisloe Cup series.

The feel-good factor sweeping through Australian rugby is not without foundation - there's plenty of evidence to show that new international coaches often enjoy instant success.

The Wallabies haven't held the Bledisloe Cup since 2002. They've won only five of the past 27 cup encounters, and at tonight's venue, they've tasted success just twice in seven matches against the All Blacks.

If the Australians needed further metaphorical motivation for tomorrow's opening Bledisloe test against the All Blacks, they could have found it in the lobby of their swanky downtown Sydney Hotel in the form of a glass ceiling and a Vera Wang bridal shop.

The Australians may be on a global downer in many sports but have always rated highly for their nickname selections.

If ever a test had lived up to its hype it was this one; a rollercoaster of a thing described variously as the "greatest ever played" and the "match made in heaven".

Controversial star James O'Connor says it's easy for him to buy into the Wallabies culture set by new coach Ewen McKenzie.

A change of coach and the arrival of new faces has filled the Wallabies with optimism ahead of Saturday's Bledisloe Cup clash. But the All Blacks are viewing things a little differently.

Anyone can see Will Genia is the key to the Wallabies' impetus.

All rugby eyes are on Hamilton tonight as a tasty decider and teaser towards the resumption of transtasman sporting combat.

New Wallabies coach Ewen McKenzie has recalled controversial five-eighth Quade Cooper and revealed he is looking at incumbent pivot James O'Connor primarily as an outside back.

Did Deans get it wrong in rugby terms, or was there more to it than mere footballing matters?

While his Wallaby side went through their usual parabolic form graph, Deans ploughed on. He had a job to do, writes Wynne Gray.

A return to New Zealand just doesn't feel like it would be the right for Robbie Deans or the right thing for New Zealand rugby, writes Gregor Paul.

Wallabies coach Robbie Deans has stood down from the role effective immediately, the Australian Rugby Union has announced.

Coaching change is coming for the Wallabies - maybe even as early as this week - as it's believed the Australian Rugby Union have already interviewed Jake White and Ewen McKenzie about taking over from Robbie Deans.

Sorry, but the tale of the drunken ducks is far more credible than the contention that Horwill did not stomp on Jones, writes Paul Lewis.

The Lions thrashed the Wallabies 41-16 in a thrilling international test decider in Sydney last night.

Subplots regularly threaten to overpower the main act in Australian rugby.

Wallaby legend Mark Ella remains exasperated by the present side.