They've slipped into world rugby's middle ground - well behind the mighty All Blacks and rejuvenated Springboks - but the Wallabies aren't about to settle for being cruiserweights.
Nor bide their time and focus on building to the next World Cup in two years.
The intent among Ewen McKenzie's men remains to be world-beaters, starting with a drought-breaking upset in New Zealand against the red-hot hosts on Saturday week.
"Ewen has never mentioned the words `two-year plan' or `planning for the World Cup'," skipper James Horwill told AAP.
"We're planning to win the Bledisloe Cup match on Saturday week and then the next challenge is (world No.3) England at Twickenham next month and we'll go from there.
"You can't afford to look too far ahead because you lose sight of what's directly in front of you."
What's directly in front of the Wallabies is an enormously difficult chance to save face against the All Blacks with their first Bledisloe Test win across the Tasman since 2001.
Australia are coming off a much-needed 54-17 rout of Argentina in Rosario on the weekend when they produced the attacking rugby frustrated fans have long been crying out for.
The seven tries in 80 sparkling minutes against the Pumas was just one less than they had scored in the previous eight Tests this year.
But Horwill knows his world No.4-ranked team must play significantly better to beat Richie McCaw's men in Dunedin - especially after witnessing the world champions' epic 38-27 triumph over the Boks in Johannesburg.
"One hundred per cent," he said. "Argentina are a good side but the All Blacks are another level again.
"By no means did we play the so-called perfect game. There's still plenty of room for improvement in the game and we're going to need that against New Zealand.
"Last week was a stepping stone for us.
"Any time you play the All Blacks it's a big game and there's extra motivation of not winning over there for a while and we're obviously playing for pride as well."
Australia's last Bledisloe victory on NZ soil was also in Dunedin, 23-15 at Carisbrook, but 14 losses have followed since.
It's also a dead-rubber following 47-29 and 27-16 losses in August however Horwill feels Australia are better positioned now after six Tests under new coach McKenzie.
"We didn't have a lot of time together to get things right (in the first two Tests)," the Queensland lock said.
"Guys have an understanding of where they're at now but we definitely don't think we're at the peak of where we can be."
Horwill stressed the Wallabies needed to be far more clinical at taking their chances. Basically, emulating the ruthless All Blacks when opportunities present.
"That's the ability they have ... they turn a half a chance into a full-blown chance."
The Wallabies reassemble in Sydney on Sunday but will take a left-field approach to preparations by spending two days in Queenstown before travelling to Dunedin on Friday.
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