Wallabies coach Dave Rennie thinks the quality of Australian rugby has improved this Super Rugby season and feels success for the winless Waratahs isn't far away.
But he'd like the trans-Tasman competition, set down for May, to go ahead to give Australia's teams a true measure of their progress.
Rennie and his Wallabies assistant coaches have spent the week at Waratahs headquarters ahead of their home clash with Super Rugby AU frontrunners Queensland.
He felt a lack of experience, rather than effort was behind their failings this year.
"I've had a good look and there's been some really good coaching going on, some really good detail," Rennie said.
"The boys are training hard and it was really sharp so if they can put that sort of performance on the park against the Reds it will be a tight game."
"It's been a challenge but I reckon if this week's anything to go by I reckon success is only around the corner."
The trans-Tasman competition, set down at the end of both domestic leagues, remains on track with travel restrictions easing in both countries.
Rennie wanted to see how the improved Australian sides measured up, believing the recent clash between the Reds and Brumbies was equal to those in Super Rugby Aerotoa.
"It's vital and obviously we're pretty keen to get a trans-Tasman comp going because that will give us a far better indication of where we're at," he said.
"I think it's a step up from what we saw last year and certainly I think the athletes are better conditioned already, skill-sets are better; you look at the quality of that Reds-brumbies game, it was as good as what we've seen over the Tasman.
"So we're excited - it's a young man's game here, we've got a lot of kids playing, they've still got a lot to learn but the quality is improving."
Rennie was confident that the three-Test series against France in Australia in July would go ahead, with World Rugby still to sign off on the tour.
"They're certainly keen to come here and we're certainly keen to play," he said,
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