Elsom: Out to banish memories

Jonny Wilkinson kicked the Wallabies out of World Cup contention in Marseille, his accuracy securing a tense 12-10 verdict.

This time around, Australia cannot meet their conquerors in the last two tournaments until the final.

Elsom and company, though, are currently preoccupied with getting past next Sunday's opponents South Africa. If they manage that, then they will probably have to face New Zealand at the last-four stage.

But memories of Marseille remain for the likes of flanker Elsom and his playing colleagues that October afternoon.

"It is important to take the lessons of the past, now and then," Elsom said.

"And we don't have to go too far back to have a look at when we don't do things so well how it turns out for us.

"It is just about the whole group being aware of what helps us go well, and in particular that this team performs well."

Australia beat South Africa home and away this summer on their way to landing the Tri Nations title, winning 39-20 in Sydney and then 14-9 in Durban.

But Elsom anticipates a different kind of game unfolding at Wellington Regional Stadium as both countries contest a semi-final spot.

"In the Tri Nations it was a different setting and the game was played a different way," he added.

"But it doesn't mean we cannot adapt and it doesn't mean they won't adapt, but I imagine it will be different.

"If you ever discount the breakdown you are going to be in trouble, particularly as we get to the pointy end of the tournament.

"That is going to be an area of contention, because any team that gets the dominance at the breakdown they are going to provide front-foot ball for their attack, and that is an enormous part of the game.

"I think if you look at the teams whose attack has really stuttered in this tournament, you can almost always link it back to the breakdown.

"Obviously, the game flows in the pool stages when you have lesser sides versus more fancied sides, but in the big games it tends to tighten up and every inch of ascendancy you can gain there at the breakdown is crucial."

And there was some welcome news for Australia on Tuesday with threequarter Digby Ioane confirming he was fit and available after breaking his thumb against Pool C opponents Italy last month.

"I am 100%," said Ioane. "I will be doing full training this week and be up there for selection."