I bumped into Peter Cosgrove, the former chief of the Australian Defence Force, after South Africa's Francois Steyn had sunk the Wallabies with that magic field goal from the touchline last year. Even though we lost, he said to me: "This team has belief - it has turned the corner."

I couldn't agree more. The current Wallabies squad must find at least one win in South Africa to keep alive their Tri Nations campaign. There's no doubt they are capable of it.

Although the disappointment of the Auckland Test lingers, there are more positives to come out of the past six Tests than negatives. The narks came out of the woodwork after we lost to the All Blacks, pointing to Australia's home-and-away record and how we have struggled on the road. But it's time for the naysayers to have a look at the facts.

There's no doubt that every game is played on a field with goal posts, but history shows that the home team has a huge advantage. You only need to look at the betting market each week for rugby league to see the home team is usually favoured. Is it because the players feel more comfortable in their home environment? Maybe. There's no doubt in my time in coaching that the rub of the green has always gone to the home side when it comes to referees, and that is often just enough to get you across the line.

Away wins in the Tri Nations and the Super 14 are like gold. New Zealand are the only exceptions to the rule and travel well.

There has been one common denominator in every successful Australian side in the modern era. Whether it be the 1984 Wallabies, the '99 era or any of our strong Super 12-14 teams - we're a country that needs to be very technically correct. We don't play well off the cuff, and it's our technique, more often than not, that's got us home.

Our scrum has improved markedly but we're still a couple of years away from where we want to be. Our lineout, up to the Auckland Test, has been as solid as a rock for some time. The big question for coach Robbie Deans is what does he do with Tatafu Polota-Nau. He's a wonderful player on the field but his throwing is an issue. Should Deans push on with him? There is no easy answer.

At the breakdown, Australia have done very well. We've controlled the ball and it's given us momentum. The plusses for Australia are that their five wins before the Auckland loss were good and they have few injury worries. Deans knows skills must be executed under pressure, our kicking game must improve and our shot selection needs to be spot-on.

The Australians were blasted off the ball at the breakdown, but in the previous games we controlled the ball. Another issue for Deans is whether he should persist with Giteau at No.10 and Barnes at No.12. Opinion is divided on this.

Giteau described the Auckland Test as "one of those days" and feels it is best left at that. Perhaps he's right. Whatever the case, the game management of the halves will be imperative in South Africa. Knowing when to play and when not to is important.

The Wallabies need to go into the match with a very positive mindset, but a team such as South Africa makes you pay dearly for any mistakes.

So much of South Africa's play comes from their lineout platform - any errors in our own half will be a disaster. They will attempt to cross the advantage line with power and bullying tactics. We need to hold firm and be precise with our plays.

We know our scrum will hold up, although the return of Bismarck du Plessis and John Smit will make it harder. Our lineout can't afford to misfire as it did against the All Blacks but it hasn't been an issue for us against South Africa over the years.

Finally, I need to dip my hat to New Zealand for their performance in Auckland. As much as it hurts me to say it, it was an outstanding effort.