Supremely confident Wallabies lock Mark Chisholm has boldly proclaimed the Wallabies are on the brink of greatness.
Despite four straight Tri-Nations losses for their worst streak in four years, Chisholm said Robbie Deans’ team was building towards another desired golden era for Australian rugby.
The 200cm Brumbies second-rower made his Test comeback in the disappointing 32-25 loss to South Africa in Perth and sincerely felt all the signs showed a huge turnaround was imminent.
“I got a great feel for the team and where it’s at,” he said ahead of Saturday night’s clash with the Springboks in Brisbane.
“On the field I felt the team is just inches away from firstly winning and secondly becoming something great.
“We’re certainly heading in that direction and it’s only a matter of time before we achieve those steps to get there.
“I can sense it.”
The Wallabies looked a team anything but close to greatness in the opening half an hour against the Springboks at Subiaco Oval where they fumbled and bumbled their way to a 22-3 deficit.
But Chisholm drew plenty from the second-half rally when the home side scored three tries to one, including two in the last five minutes to add respectability to the scoreline.
“Running around the field I found we’re the fittest side out there, and sitting in the grandstand the last couple of weeks I certainly saw that as well, that we’re finishing over the top of teams,” he said.
“It’s just minor adjustments in the first 20 minutes that we’re capable of that will give us a win.
“When a team is hot they’re hot, but defensively we were inept and this week we’ve nutted that out.”
The return of Berrick Barnes to inside centre is seen by both teams as a major boost to the Wallabies as he’s their defensive backline linchpin.
Two of the four Springbok tries came due to miscommunication between Matt Giteau and makeshift inside centre Adam Ashley-Cooper from set moves off scrums.
Springboks assistant coach Dick Muir, like Chisholm, expects a far better Australian performance at Suncorp Stadium, where they are unbeaten against South Africa.
“They are a side with a lot of talent and when they do put it together they are going to shock one or two sides,” Muir said.
Barnes promised the Wallabies would “play rugby” to overcome the Boks, preferring to use their running and passing game than attempting to win by outkicking Morne Steyn and Fourie du Preez.
Not since the 2-1 series win over the British and Irish Lions in June-July have the world champions been challenged at the business end of a Test.
They have comfortably disposed of both New Zealand and Australia, ranked No.2 and No.3 in the world, in two Tri-Nations matches each to be a mere bonus point from claiming the trophy.
But Chisholm, who made his Test debut in 2004, believes they would not be able to overcome the young Wallabies, with an average age of 23-and-a-half, if the score is tight with 20 minutes to go.
“The body language was a big thing out there (late in the game in Perth,” he said.
“If the match is in the balance then mentally and physically we can get over the top.”
If they do, Australia will deliver a cherished birthday present for coach Deans who turns 50 on Friday.
84%
Guest
I think Mark has been reading (and believing) too much of his own press.
MustardnotGold
Guest
This years Oz international sides have competed badly - and the trophy cabinet is bare. Before the Oval test, the short Tasmanian was writing off the English players who were injured / new inclusions, and talking up the Aussies win at Edgebaston. His side then succumbed to its own deficiencies. So how can Mark say the Wallabies are "nearly great"? Sounds like he's having a bet each way. What a dope...this Wallaby team really deserves another defeat.
ohtani's jacket
Guest
I wonder if Chisholm will run around the park looking for those damn inches. I can hear it now, Drew Mitchell searching for those extra inches... "Mark! Mark! They're over here mate! I found 'em! Shit the ball went dead"
Ivan
Guest
The Springboks will suffer complacency this weekend, It will not surprise me if the boks cop this one, and the Aussies win narrowly. The boks will be preparing themselves mentally for the All Blacks already, and it will be hard to stay focussed for this match. The sad part is, that the Aussies will take that as a sign of their brilliance, and that they are back and on top once more. The boks will secretly want to win this series against NZ in NZ. We cannot call ourselves the best if we dont beat our cloest rival at their home venue. So please Aus, if you win this weekend, dont let it detract from the fact that you are not a big enough game to draw the attention of the boks, also let yourselves not forget that you will then end this 3N wth 1 out of 6 because you have 0 chance of winnning in NZ. Boks to lose saturday, the aussie media to call a aussie revival. Boks to win the week after in NZ and then NZ to slaughter the aussies in the final game. So says my crystal ball
John allyne
Guest
After big Mark`s comments i will not be watching him play on Saturday night, he like his coach is full of bull......
retired rucker
Guest
this is cringe worthy drivel. I am now going to cop excess shit from all my SA,Kiwi and Pommy mates. All i can say is STFU and HTFU, this leads me to believe we are going to get well and truely rogered on saturday. Have some self respect, I mean i still can't believe a tool who has just had his 1st game in ages is even alllowed to speak to the media. Quite frankly these comments are way worse than hoaring in your hotel room, For f..s sake I still can't believe it, surely this is a breach of contract 'bringing the game into direpute by BLATANTLY LYING! sack the man tommorow! I Don't reckon the Boks are going to need Mitchel or any one to fire them up tommorow, IQ 70 Chislom has already done it! I'm just going outside to throw a rope over the balcony I'm so depressed.
Ben J
Guest
My favourite is "we just need the little things to fire for us"
fred
Guest
OWN,just puerility trying to impress coach deans by selling the gospel. and chisholm is greater than the average age in the first fifteen
one wise man
Guest
Mark Chisholm is typical of generation Y kids who think that simply turning up for work is doing your job hate to tell you this is a job where everybody gets to see you miss your KPI's Key Performance Indicators Winning a flipping test match is 99% of your KPI everything else is worth 1%
one wise man
Guest
sorry but me thinks mark should stop talking and start doing
Big Steve
Guest
Its easy to be fit the last 20 minutes when you stand around the first hour not playing.
Viscount Crouchback
Guest
Brilliant. Nothing better illustrates my point on a thread a few days ago that rugger is simply not the game for stereotypical Australian bluff.
sheek
Guest
Could be one hell of a long brink..........!
BAS
Guest
What an absolutely ridiculous set of comments. Typical big mouthed aussie who has won NOTHING...
Hansie
Guest
I can only hope that Chisholm was misquoted or taken out of context. An unbelievable comment.
Hammer
Guest
This would be hilarious if it wasn’t so sad … on the verge of greatness – they keeping it well hidden .. and as for …”Running around the field I found we’re the fittest side out there, and sitting in the grandstand the last couple of weeks I certainly saw that as well, that we’re finishing over the top of teams,” … er that would be the same team that’s dropped off alarmingly against the AB’s … delusional - but once he’s finished playing he’s got his post game career sown up – joining they other buffoons on the foxsports cheerleading team
Brett McKay
Guest
Chis, Chis, Chis.......
DT
Guest
Poor guy thinks he's playing for the other team.
Rangi
Guest
And let's not forget Deans also worked with John Mitchell whose verbal pyrotechnics took a lot of attention away from the fact he wasn't much good as a coach. Way too much new-age mumbo jumbo self help bullshit. Can you just go and play some bloody rugby !!
Photon
Guest
And the bols are supposed to be arrogant, how about the wobblies win a test before worrying about being great. Pieter would get torn apart as being an arrogant twit, but Chislom is just supremely confident. Blood y Aussies will anything ever be able to shrink egos the size of theirs