The Bledisloe Cup is already beyond Australia's grasp for another year at least, but the Wallabies can still ensure their trans-Tasman rivals New Zealand occupy their lowest position in the IRB World Rankings for nearly six years.
To do this, Australia must not only end a five-match losing streak against the All Blacks when they meet in the final Tri Nations encounter of 2009 at the Westpac Stadium in Wellington on Saturday, but do so with a winning margin of more than 15 points.
Australia would then rise to second for the first time in nearly two years, improving their rating by 2.45 points and nearly halving their current deficit to number one side South Africa, who won the Tri Nations title by defeating New Zealand last weekend.
A simple victory will not be enough for Australia to reclaim second position, although it would leave them trailing New Zealand by just a tenth ahead of their next meeting, on neutral soil in Tokyo in the fourth Bledisloe Cup Test of 2009 on 31 October.
New Zealand may have come out on top in recent meetings, but the last four Bledisloe Cup tussles have all been decided by less than seven points, the most recent being a 19-18 win in Sydney last month thanks to the returning Dan Carter's last gasp penalty.
That said history isn't on Australia's side as they haven't won on New Zealand soil since a 23-15 triumph in Dunedin in August 2001, while their last victory in Wellington goes back another year to 2000.
This means that of the 23-man squad selected by coach Robbie Deans for this weekend's Test in Wellington, only captain and flanker George Smith has tasted victory over the All Blacks in New Zealand. There are no members of the All Blacks squad that day involved.
As if sliding to third for the first time since losing to the Wallabies in the semi finals of Rugby World Cup 2003 is not a motivation enough for New Zealand, then avoiding a fifth loss of 2009 will be and equalling the mark of five (straight) losses suffered by John Hart's side 11 years ago.
New Zealand currently have a 3.36 rating point cushion over Australia, but with a winning margin greater than 15 points they will strengthen their hold on second place, albeit still 2.08 rating points behind South Africa.
The IRB World Rankings update every Monday at 12:00 UK time.
