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Brisbane - The Reds' Vodacom Super Rugby title win over a Crusaders side bristling with All Blacks is an ominous sign that Australia loom as a major Rugby World Cup threat, New Zealand media is reporting.
GALLERY: Springboks get kitted out
GALLERY: Reds celebrate Super Rugby victory
With New Zealand desperate to win the September-October tournament on home soil, former All Black Justin Marshall said the Reds' 18-13 victory signals a "nightmare" Wallabies revival.
"It's Rugby World Cup year and cue the awakening of that great slumbering giant called Australian rugby," Marshall wrote on Monday in the Dominion Post.
Much like Germany at soccer's World Cup, two-time champions Australia have a history of tearing up the form book at rugby's quadrennial showcase, unlike the All Blacks, who have underachieved since their sole title in 1987.
The New Zealand Herald said the Reds' win is a wake-up call to the home side, who will enter the World Cup as favourites.
"The All Blacks will lose the World Cup - that's the subtext to the Super Rugby final," columnist Chris Rattue said.
"The nerves are jangling, the World Cup is not far away."
Players from the Reds dominate Australia's Tri-Nations 40-man squad named on Sunday, with 15 selections, while the All Blacks' 34-man squad has 11 Crusaders. Neither squad is expected to undergo major changes for the World Cup.
The New Zealand Herald's Wynne Gray said the Super Rugby result has given the Wallabies a psychological boost ahead of the tournament.
"Victory will create a Wallaby-wide good vibe about the World Cup, the cheerleaders in the fourth estate will go up a gear and (coach) Robbie Deans will be urging caution," he wrote.
Marshall said there are positive aspects to Australian rugby's resurgence, although he wishes it had not happened with the World Cup around the corner.
"While the rise of Australian rugby is not necessarily a bad thing - having a strong rival can only be good for our game - the great shame for us partisan Kiwis is that the timing has coincided with a terribly important year for New Zealand rugby," he said.
All Blacks' coach Graham Henry said he believes Australia were "always going to be a potent threat in the Rugby World Cup, and that hasn't changed". But he said there are threats from other nations.
"South Africa have got a history of playing well at Rugby World Cups," he told Radio New Zealand. "They play a very narrow style without making mistakes, kick a lot of ball, drive a lot of lineouts etc, so they'll be difficult.
"England are an improving team, what the French are going to bring, who knows? And the Irish beat the English in the last game of the Six Nations and played particularly well.
"Amongst all of those teams there is some quality."
GALLERY: Springboks get kitted out
GALLERY: Reds celebrate Super Rugby victory
With New Zealand desperate to win the September-October tournament on home soil, former All Black Justin Marshall said the Reds' 18-13 victory signals a "nightmare" Wallabies revival.
"It's Rugby World Cup year and cue the awakening of that great slumbering giant called Australian rugby," Marshall wrote on Monday in the Dominion Post.
Much like Germany at soccer's World Cup, two-time champions Australia have a history of tearing up the form book at rugby's quadrennial showcase, unlike the All Blacks, who have underachieved since their sole title in 1987.
The New Zealand Herald said the Reds' win is a wake-up call to the home side, who will enter the World Cup as favourites.
"The All Blacks will lose the World Cup - that's the subtext to the Super Rugby final," columnist Chris Rattue said.
"The nerves are jangling, the World Cup is not far away."
Players from the Reds dominate Australia's Tri-Nations 40-man squad named on Sunday, with 15 selections, while the All Blacks' 34-man squad has 11 Crusaders. Neither squad is expected to undergo major changes for the World Cup.
The New Zealand Herald's Wynne Gray said the Super Rugby result has given the Wallabies a psychological boost ahead of the tournament.
"Victory will create a Wallaby-wide good vibe about the World Cup, the cheerleaders in the fourth estate will go up a gear and (coach) Robbie Deans will be urging caution," he wrote.
Marshall said there are positive aspects to Australian rugby's resurgence, although he wishes it had not happened with the World Cup around the corner.
"While the rise of Australian rugby is not necessarily a bad thing - having a strong rival can only be good for our game - the great shame for us partisan Kiwis is that the timing has coincided with a terribly important year for New Zealand rugby," he said.
All Blacks' coach Graham Henry said he believes Australia were "always going to be a potent threat in the Rugby World Cup, and that hasn't changed". But he said there are threats from other nations.
"South Africa have got a history of playing well at Rugby World Cups," he told Radio New Zealand. "They play a very narrow style without making mistakes, kick a lot of ball, drive a lot of lineouts etc, so they'll be difficult.
"England are an improving team, what the French are going to bring, who knows? And the Irish beat the English in the last game of the Six Nations and played particularly well.
"Amongst all of those teams there is some quality."
