"Their intensity in Auckland was a great sight to see, even if it wasn't pleasing to be on the end of it. They dug deep, defended tremendously and played really well that night. It was one of the most impressive things I've seen.

"When they come out and perform like that, with everyone playing for each other, it makes them a very, very difficult opposition."

For all that, don't doubt for a minute that when the Wallabies assemble in Brisbane today, the message from head coach Deans and Williams will be that the match is theirs for the taking.

Williams points to the inconsistency of the Wallabies as the most frustrating aspect of the season - a complaint he makes several times as he dissects a campaign that's hinted at special but never quite delivered.

"Consistency doesn't just happen either, it's built into the culture of a team. That's something we've got to keep working on," said Williams. "We need to be able to back up a good performance and keep building on it. That comes down to having a mental edge and an attitude."

They were qualities clearly absent in Jo'burg, but Williams was certain there would be no problem flicking on the mental switch this week in Brisbane. "It comes down to individual pride and that's a huge thing when you're playing at this level. I don't think it's going to take much to flick the switch on. It's then up to us as coaches to make sure they flick that switch on together as a team.

"It's going to be a difficult week. There's a fair bit of pressure on and coming off a performance like that it will be in the back of the players' minds."

Williams wasn't giving much away on the selection dilemma at No 12 after Timana Tahu's appalling performance against the Boks. He said skipper Stirling Mortlock was one option and that Berrick Barnes would be given every chance to prove his fitness after his shoulder injury. Expect Mortlock and Ryan Cross to combine in the midfield.

In the second row, Daniel Vickerman is definitely out, with Nathan Sharpe and James Horwill tipped to be the locking combination.

Williams admitted the Wallabies have to be content with the position they're in, though he denies the home factor makes them favourites.

He wasn't reading too much into the All Blacks' Samoan romp last Wednesday other than to acknowledge the All Blacks would have "got what they wanted" out of the mismatch.

As for this week. Williams was happy the theme of Deans v Henry can now be reduced to a subtext and that, finally, it comes down to the players.

"It's a massive contest and it's going to be a great occasion," said Williams who had nothing but praise for what Deans had brought to the Wallabies this year.

"We've got to make our first-up tackles, get over the advantage line and it's going to come down to that ball in the air, the ball on the ground and getting the set pieces right. There's no great secret."

The funny thing is if the Wallabies carry on their inconsistent ways - in other words they go from the ridiculous back to the sublime - they may well steal this Tri-Nations from under the All Blacks' noses as well as setting up a Bledisloe Cup decider in Hong Kong.