Wallabies looking to spring back

Australia coach Robbie Deans had a majestic view of snow-capped mountains rising above dense forest and thermal springs from his hotel window on Sunday morning.

But the overall picture confronting the Wallabies is not that inspiring as they go into their four-day training camp in this idyllic corner of Canterbury, where their New Zealander coach grew up.

Just two weeks ago, the Tri Nations champions could reasonably have expected to be setting the pace in Pool C with maximum points and plenty of opportunity for R&R before taking on Russia in their final game next Saturday.

Instead, after the slow start against Italy, the surprise defeat by Ireland and the body blows inflicted by USA, Deans and his coaching team can hardly afford to take their foot off the gas.

A spate of injuries may force him to call in reinforcements, and on Sunday Deans said: "We won't be any better informed until tomorrow. At that point it gets serious in terms of where to go from here.

"What we have done to date has been valuable to allow us to roll with those vagaries. I am sure it won't be the end of it.

Fractured cheekbone

"As I've said before, it's about the fit blokes. History doesn't record who played, history records the outcome and there are 22 lucky blokes who get the chance to play.

"There could be 30 fit blokes and only 22 will get the chance to play. We will have 22 fit blokes.”

Least likely to be among those 22 are centre Robert Horne, who fractured a cheekbone against USA, and number 8 Wycliff Palu, who has a hamstring injury. Both will travel to Christchurch on Monday for scans.

Utility back Pat McCabe, who dislocated a shoulder, is recovering well and it is hoped he will be available for the quarter-finals.

Centre Anthony Faingaa, who was knocked out in a tackle in the final minute against USA, is expected to be out for several weeks.

But there are positives, with Deans adding: "David Pocock and James O'Connor have both just had a run and they will be considered for selection this week.

Very well drilled

"We are confident with Patty (McCabe), but he has to continue with the progress he has made over the first 24 hours."

With the Ireland defeat condemning Australia to a likely quarter-final showdown against South Africa, Deans may now be envious of the other, less fragile superpowers.

Hailing New Zealand’s win over France, he said: "I was impressed. They played very well.

They were clinical, very well drilled and the French struggled to cope with them.

"They are obviously mapping out how they want to go about their game and who they want to involve. To date, they have not had too many injury issues, so they have been able to make those decisions."

The Australia team hotel boasts in their brochure that it is "a perfect retreat for rest, relaxation and replenishment".

Deans will be hoping that is borne out.

"It's a nice environment," he said. "You have the hot pools which are a great source of recovery, so when you look at our circumstances, I guess it's a great place to be."