The somewhat pleasing aspect was that the victories were by no means polished. There is more in the tank. I do like the way coach Michael Cheika is drilling into the players that each session and each game they are trying to improve. So what went wrong in Auckland? You could question the selections, but they are internationally experienced so I think that is drawing a long bow. Certainly the knock-on effect from the win in Sydney was a driving factor. The New Zealand public were livid at the loss and more focused on the why than some of the extras surrounding the game. Extras such as Richie McCaw playing a record-breaking 142nd Test and his posse of Dan Carter, Ma'a Nonu, Tony Woodcock and Keven Mealamu turning out for the last time at home made for some emotional footy from their side. Then there was the ground itself. The noise the other night was immense. I have never heard anything like that before.

I am one to say the crowd can't affect you but it would be great to run out to that each time you play. The lift you get would be immeasurable. Fortunately for all the other teams in the World Cup, they can't transport Eden Park to the UK. Earlier in the season I stressed the importance of bench players and what impact they have on a team. For the Wallabies The Rugby Championship was a gold mine. Unearthing bench players who, when they took the field, upped the speed and tempo and closed out games. That's just what Cheika is looking for. Being a bench player, however, does not necessarily mean that you can control a game from the off. That is the responsibility of the starting XV.

There has been plenty of speculation about who should wear the No.10 for the Wallabies in the UK. Plenty of criticism was levelled at Quade Cooper's performance on the weekend but, to be honest, I don't think any other five-eighth would have been able to arrest the onslaught from the men in black. He and Bernard Foley are the two main contenders for the position, with Matt Giteau and Matt Toomua the other options. I think Foley should be the playmaker to lead the team. Remember, this bloke has just broken 20 Test caps, which is relatively new to the scene, but we are putting all the pressure on his shoulders. He has the responsibility of both running the team and kicking goals. I think if you asked him about his performance against South Africa and Argentina he would say a pass mark, maybe a little more, but what you have to take into account is that his position cops the onslaught of any team in those opening minutes.

A player who distributes well, understands game management and what looks like the Wallabies mantra at the moment - possession - should occupy the role of pivot. I did feel for him on occasions in Argentina as communication was lacking. A contributing factor in that, I suspect, stemmed from the responsibility of kicking goals. He has become quite the sharpshooter and certainly was able to hold his nerve in the Waratahs' breakthrough win last season, but I know from experience that if you miss a couple of shots your mind can start to wander. You question things that should be second nature. I remember vividly playing a game where I hoped the ball didn't come my way as I felt that if it did I would make an error. That all came back to poor goalkicking. I have been replaced mid-Test. There is no harm in making a tough decision. The mind is a wicked thing.