Australian five-eighth Bernard Foley says the Wallabies have more belief than they did at the beginning of the Rugby Championship but knows the team hasn't reached its potential ahead of a third and final clash with the All Blacks on Saturday.
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The Wallabies' confidence took an absolute battering at the hands of world rugby's best team when they trudged off ANZ Stadium trailing 40-6 at half-time in August.
A revitalised second half and a spirited showing in Dunedin a week later left the Wallabies knowing they could match it with New Zealand, even if they did not have anything to show for it after their two encounters.
Although the Bledisloe Cup will stay in New Zealand for a record 15th year in a row, the Wallabies will be playing for pride on Saturday at Suncorp Stadium after a strange Rugby Championship campaign.
Australia finished with two wins against Argentina, two draws against South Africa and two losses against New Zealand.
There has been a noticeable improvement in not only the on-field performances but morale around the group since the loss in Sydney, one of the darkest nights for Australian rugby.
"Just amongst the squad there is lot more belief," Foley said. "Belief comes through hard work and knowing each other. This Rugby Championship just gone, the team grew and we started believing a bit more.
"In saying that ??? we haven't really achieved what we've wanted to achieve. We've had two good wins and two draws, so it's not like we're really playing the house down in terms of getting the results we want to, but there has been that development and progress amongst the squad which has been pleasing.
"This weekend that has to go up another level. They're the No.1 side and world-class for that reason, so it's going to be a great challenge for us."
One of the most interesting selection debates this week will centre on whether Karmichael Hunt can make his way back into the Wallabies' matchday 23 for what would be a maiden outing against the Kiwis.
Hunt has overcome an ankle injury and has joined the Wallabies squad on the Gold Coast.
He is unlikely to snare a spot in the starting XV given the form of inside-centre Kurtley Beale and fullback Israel Folau but many believe he would be more valuable on the bench than Samu Kerevi.
Foley, who played alongside Hunt for three Tests in June, is a big fan and said he would love to see him come back into the fold.
"He was exceptional in his first three Test matches this year," Foley said. "He is a great guy to have amongst the squad and he's got great experience, especially at the top level. I saw him in camp; he came in after the [NRC] game. It's going to be a great week of prep.
"We saw this year how he's an all-round footballer. He loves the contact side, he loves carrying the ball but he also ball plays and can play-make and that's a real credit to his skills and an asset to our team."
Meanwhile, Rob Simmons says Suncorp Stadium feels like a home ground to the Wallabies even though they have won just one from six games at the venue against New Zealand.
Australia last tasted success against the All Blacks at Suncorp six years ago in a 25-20 victory where Will Genia and Quade Cooper had excellent outings.
The weekend's game marks the first time Simmons will play in Queensland after he was snubbed by the Reds before signing a new deal with the NSW Waratahs.
"It was a tough blow to take but I just tried to look to the future and make the improvements I needed to make," Simmons said. "Head down, bum up, a bit of hard work. Hopefully I can get more consistency by doing that instead of the highs and lows."
