Robbie Deans believes Australia can build upon their first Tri-Nations series win in Brisbane.
Aussies enthused after a comprehensive win against South Africa
Robbie Deans believes Australia can build upon their first Tri-Nations series win in Brisbane.
Second-half tries from Adam Ashley-Cooper and James O'Connor helped give the Wallabies a morale boosting 21-6 win over South Africa on Saturday, ending the world champions' perfect record in the tournament in the process.
And, having seen his team produce a dominant display to answer their critics, coach Deans feels his team can take heart from the match as they look towards the 2011 World Cup.
"It's better than the alternative without a doubt," Deans said. "It will be a fillip for this group and that was evident in the last 10 minutes.
"We had a few things go against us but they kept their heads up and they played for the full 80 minutes.
"It was evident at the end that the confidence was starting to kick in, and the spirit was great.
"We took South Africa outside their comfort zone which we haven't been able to do previously."
Missing
Two Morne Steyn kicks were all the Springboks had to show for their efforts, by contrast, and coach Peter de Villiers admits it was a bad day at the office.
"Some you win, some you lose," Steyn said. "We had some moments of brilliance but we weren't clinical enough in our finishing.
"Well done to the Wallabies; they were brilliant at keeping us under pressure."
Springboks captain John Smit also concedes his team lacked their usual spark, but still expects his side to wrap up the series in their final two games against New Zealand.
"The intensity just wasn't quite what it should have been; I'm not sure why," Smit said. "They beat us at our game. They played the same way as us, they just did it better.
"We knew they were going to come out firing. No team in this competition loses four in a row and just turns up.
"But the good thing is we still have our fate in our own hands."
