Wallabies vice-captain Will Genia believes the current culture within the Wallabies is the best he's ever been a part of.
That's some sort of statement from a halfback boasting 84 Tests and nine years of experience in the international rugby arena.
"It’s the best environment I’ve been a part of in the time I’ve been in a Wallaby group, everyone has a buy-in and a say in how we do things," Genia said.
“Everyone holds each other accountable as far as the standards, it’s a really good group to be a part of.
“The biggest thing I enjoy is that guys want to get better and improve."
Similar comments were made about the Australian side when they made a run at the 2015 World Cup but Genia said there were a few distinct differences between this group and the one in which he played such an integral part of two years ago.
"We’ve had a little bit more time to develop what we stand for as a team," he said.
“We’ve got something we want to live by as far as what it means to be a Wallaby, as time has gone on we’ve been able to add to it but also hold ourselves accountable to living by it, on and off the field.
“Over time it’s become more organic, as opposed to something that is forced.
“It’s a great think when you have young guys like (Izack) Rodda come in and buy into it straight away, as a senior playing seeing that you feel like it’s very conducive to being open to everybody."
There is confidence oozing from this Wallabies group.
Outside of a woeful 40 minutes to kick off The Rugby Championship in Sydney, they have taken significant strides in narrowing what appeared to be a widening gap between the world's best and the Wallabies.
The two Springbok draws, as well as the loss in Dunedin thriller, will be remembered by most as matches filled with missed opportunities.
But they have set the platform for a blockbuster Brisbane Bledisloe on October 21, a match Genia and co will have to win to show the rest of the rugby world they truly have made those aforementioned strides in their quest to be the world's best.
“There’s no secret it’s going to be tough, but we prepare as though we want to win, we prepare as though we want to be the best in the world," Genia said.
“I’m not afraid of saying it, because why would you do it if you didn’t have those aspirations.
“But we’re not shying away from the fact it’s going to be a very tough challenge."
Australia takes on New Zealand in the third Bledisloe on October 21 in Brisbane, kicking off at 8pm AEDT LIVE on FOX SPORTS, Network Ten, Win and via RUGBY.com.au RADIO. Buy tickets here.
