The days of big-noting and cheap talk are over for a Wallabies side finally focused on walking the walk.
Even though it's been 12 years since they last held up the Bledisloe Cup, Australia's Test team has regularly dug a deep hole for themselves by boasting about their form, skill and prospects against the All Blacks.
But coach Ewen McKenzie and vice-captain James Slipper have both stressed actions will speak louder than words in 2014.
With their opening Bledisloe clash three weeks away, the Wallabies aren't into the foot-in-mouth trap.
Neither McKenzie nor Slipper were prepared to bite in reaction to former All Blacks prop Richard Loe's shot at Australia's tight-five forwards - saying they weren't combative enough to cope with New Zealand or South African packs.
Although the Wallabies forwards could feel aggrieved after seven straight wins, including a 3-0 clean sweep of France last month, Slipper said "weak" perceptions won't change until they win the Bledisloe and Rugby Championship.
"We don't expect them to," the 52-Test prop told AAP. "And, to be honest, I don't really care what they think.
"I don't care if they like me or not. I just want to win. If they think I'm a terrible player, then so be it. At the end of the day, I want that trophy.
"Every year we always seem to talk a lot about what we can do and potential outcomes of the game but this group we have at the moment is very focused on the job at hand."
There have been too many bold, grand statements from Australian players to name but they've regularly paid the price for overconfidence.
The most memorable was Kurtley Beale's pre-Bledisloe boast in 2011 that the Wallabies backline could "tear any team apart".
A week later they were smashed 30-14 by the All Blacks in Auckland.
Slipper, himself, said they would "light a match" under Springboks hooker Bismarck du Plessis last year only for the tough talk to backfire in a record 38-12 loss at Suncorp Stadium.
Even New Zealand coach Steve Hansen has noted he's most wary about the Wallabies when they are quiet.
With the second Bledisloe scheduled for Eden Park, where Australia haven't won in 28 years, Slipper promised lips would be kept tight.
"If you are going to talk yourselves up and them down going into Eden Park, then you are really setting yourself up for a belting or a real fall in confidence," he said.
"The vibe this year is all about performance and let all our actions on the field control what's said in the media."
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