The best Australian effort of the weekend came in a losing effort in Christchurch. That may reflect a sad reduction in our expectations of Australian sides with talent now spread too thin over five sides, but it is true.
This year will see the revival of an old rivalry and it will be good for the game.
The simmering resentment felt in Australia among Wallabies fans over this sad affair has, at its core, some justification.
If we are lucky we might yet see the best of Piutau in a black jersey. If we are realists we have to accept that day might never come.
There is not a stakeholder in the English game who does not crave to see the All Blacks at Twickenham.
Michael Cheika must change or the Wallabies will continue to struggle.
Not for first time the 50-50 calls went against Australia although England are clearly the better side.
What would Eddie Jones do if he were coaching against England? He'd target defensive weak link No.10 George Ford.
When you watch a performance like the Wallabies rolled out in the Irish capital, you wonder just how much they have leant from 3-0 series loss to England in June.
If the Wallabies don't get their discipline spot on in Dublin, the grand slam is dead.
Search pagination
Save articles for later.
Subscribe for unlimited access to news. Login to save articles.
Return to the homepage by clicking on the site logo.