There are advantages and disadvantages in Australia having no representation in the final weeks of the Super Rugby tournament. The positives are that Wallabies coach Robbie Deans cannot complain about lack of preparation for the Bledisloe Cup series or Rugby Championship.

Deans had every right to moan before the June internationals that he didn't have time to get a squad together, and it showed with an abominable performance against Scotland. There are no excuses now as with all five Australian teams mere spectators until their first Test against the All Blacks on August 18, Deans can hold extensive training camps with everyone able to attend.

Bledisloe bound? ... Sonny Bill Williams. Credit:Getty Images

So at last he and his coaching team can work on improving the fitness levels of numerous provincial players, particularly those from the Waratahs who showed in the final rounds when they continually drifted out of games that their match conditioning was not as good as it should be.

There are drawbacks, such as the Wallabies squad having ample time to watch the Super Rugby semi-finals, where it was brutally exposed that New Zealand and South African players are well ahead in numerous crucial areas, particularly intensity of play, quality of work at the breakdown and their skill level at speed.