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The Wallabies have a number of advantages in their favour at the moment as they prepare to host the British and Irish Lions – the first being the Lions’ squad.
Big and strong yes, but largely one-dimensional and conservative.
No Johnny Wilkinson, who has the experience of winning in Australia, and they are only taking two fly-halves, neither of whom are in their best form right now.
Several players who could have added some variety and flair, some dash and bit of the unknown, were overlooked.
Try-scoring speed merchant Christain Wade, dynamic Irish back Simon Zebo and English pair Freddie Burns and Billy Twelvetrees all could have added something different to the Lions style. The same with Steffon Armitage and fleet-footed scrum-half Danny Care, who should also count himself unlucky.
Warren Gatland has gone for a lumbering, physical presence, so the Wallabies should know exactly what they’re in for.
The captain, Sam Warbuton, has also been a controversial choice. Some doubt surrounds his suitability as skipper, a role he has struggled with before, and this could be an issue for the Lions later on.
The pressure on the 24-year old will be intense, and there already has been some criticism from the English and Irish quarters.
Apart from being at home, the Wallabies will be basically back at full strength at last. Touch wood at the moment, there is almost no serious injuries to contend with and many of these players are in great form.
The return of Will Genia and James Horwill to the green and gold is massive. Genia is the world’s best 9 and captain Horwill will add steel and smarts to a what has become a troublesome second row.
Fellow Queenslander Rob Simmons is also in impressive form, so an all-Reds locks line-up appears likely.
David Pocock is of course out, and he will be missed. But if there is any position the Wallabies have real depth in, it is at openside flanker.
George Smith is back and can fill the job superbly. Smith is the complete footballer. And then there are young guns Michael Hooper and Liam Gill to back him up as well.
At 8 there is Wycliff Palu, Scott Higginbotham and Ben Mowen fighting it out. All are good candidates.
At 6 Dave Dennis and the barnstorming Fotu Auelua are ready to go, with Higginbotham also able to play on the blindside flank.
Tahs Kane Douglas and Sitaleki Timani add to the options in the second row, alongside Hugh McMeniman if fit, while the Australian front row is in better shape than it has been in recent years.
Young props Scott Sio and Paddy Ryan are doing well and pushing for spots, while both the Brumbies and Waratahs starting 1, 2 and 3 will probably provide the bodies.
In the backs, the fly-half position is getting crowded.
Does Robbie Deans forgive Quade Cooper and pick him, because Cooper and partner-in-crime Will Genia work so well together?
Or does he put the versatile James O’Connor in at 10, who has been playing strongly in that role for the Rebels?
Or does he go with Kurtley Beale, recently back to full fitness, who filled the playmaker slot so admirably in the European tour at the end of last season?
Berrick Barnes is also now ready to make his way back on the field and throw his name into the hat.
It’s a good dilemma for Deans to have.
In the centres Adam Ashley-Cooper is having a great season, Christian Lealiifano is on fire, Pat McCabe has returned from injury and Ben Tapuai started the year very well for the Reds but has, admittedly, dipped a little of late.
Add Rob Horne and Anthony Faingaa into that 12 and 13 mix.
At fullback and on the wings, Digby Ioane is a lock for one wing spot and then you have Joe Tomane, Israel Folau, Jesse Mogg, Nic Cummins and Drew Mitchell fighting out for the other spot.
Tomane has to be a strong contender because of his blistering Brumby form. Folau gets better every week, has that X-factor and is line for either 15 or a wing jersey, while Cummins and Mitchell are coming back from long stints out of action.
And then you thrown in the mix of 10s – if Beale or O’Connor miss out at five-eighth, expect them to appear at either fullback, on the flank or on the bench.
It’s hard to remember when Robbie Deans had this type of strength to choose from. It’s also hard to remember the last time two Australia sides were up around the top of the Super Rugby table.
The performances of the Brumbies and Reds this season, under the brilliant coaching of Jake White and Ewen McKenzie, can only be a good thing for the Wallabies.
You add in the Waratahs, who are starting to climb the table now and come good under the influence of new coach Michael Cheika, and a ray of optimism shines across Australian rugby.
The shape of the Lions tour, in terms of its structure and design, is also in the Wallabies’ favour.
The Lions start off with the pointless game against the Barbarians in Hong Kong, followed by matches against the Force, the Reds, combined NSW-Queensland Country, the Waratahs and then the Brumbies before the first Test.
Strangely, there is only one other mid-week game, versus the Rebels between Tests one and two, left in the tour. It will be hard for any of the Lions players outside the regular 22 to get any more game time after the Brumbies match.
The Lions will arrive at Suncorp for the first Test with the Wallabies battered and bruised after six tough games. In the case of the Force, there’s a very good chance their team will be completely full strength when they the face the Lions in Perth on June 5.
The Lions could be in for a real battle with Matt Hodgson, Ben McCalman, Richard Brown, Chris Alcock and co. offering the kind of sturdy opposition the Waratahs gave them back in 2001.
The design of the Lions tour weirdly sees virtually all of the provincial matches at the very start and then the three Tests right at the very end. This gives Gatland little time for experimentation after the first Test.
While there are some positive signs for the green and gold, it would be foolish for the Wallabies to be over-confident.
The Lions will be no pushovers. They are backed by huge support and are burned by their experience in South Africa four years ago, losing a series they never should have lost.
Their motivation will be storng. The Wallabies also seem to never play well when they have have the favourites tag.
All in all, this should be a fascinating series and one the Australians, on home soil and in good touch, should win 2-1.
Unless they cannot stand up to the rough onslaught the Lions will dish out, or heavy rain mars all threet Tests in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne, an air of quiet confidence may be appropriate for the Wallaby faithful come June-July.
Follow John Davidson on Twitter @johnnyddavidson
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.