Mark Chisholm, who outrageously predicted a Wallaby revival last week, believes their best is yet to come as they look to follow up their Brisbane triumph with a win over New Zealand in the Tri-Nations finale in Wellington on September 19.

Australia bounced back to convincingly beat South Africa 21-6 in Brisbane at the weekend after suffering a string of defeats in this year's tournament.

"It was a breakthrough, it's not going to be floodgates open and it will be a lot of hard work to back it up next week [against the All blacks] and continue," Chisolm told the AAP.

"We know within the body of players we have got it and we can match it with anyone.

"There's plenty of areas we can still work on but the skill and the patience out there (on Saturday night) was outstanding."

During the build up to last week's Test Chisolm took all by surprise, including stunned teammates, as he boldly proclaimed that the Wallabies were on the brink of greatness which has now earned him a new nickname to match his predictions.

"I actually copped a lot of flak. They started calling me Muhammad Ali," he said.

While he rightly predicted the Wallabies would finish over the top of the Springboks, he denied his outspoken comments were designed to build confidence in a desperate camp.

"I don't talk to pump teams up, I knew the boys were going to be great," said Chisholm, who only made his return from injury a week earlier in the 25-32 loss in Perth.

"That's what you get from watching a lot of games and coming back and playing in such a side with such skill and physicality.

"It was only a matter of time we could get a win we could build on."

Meanwhile, injured pair Tatafu Polota-Nau and Lachlan Turner (both ribs) will know more about their chances of lining up against the All Blacks when the Test squad assembles in camp on Thursday.

Forward reserves Pek Cowan (Warringah) and Wycliff Palu (Manly) have been granted releases to play for their Sydney clubs in semifinals this weekend.

365

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