AUSTRALIA IN UK

1927/28: Aust 5 Ire 3, Aust 18 Wal 8, Scot 10 Aust 8, Eng 18 Aust 11. 1947/48: Aust 16 Scot 7, Aust 16 Ire 3, Wal 6 Aust 0, Aust 11 Eng 0. 1958: Eng 9 Aust 6, Ire 9 Aust 6, Scot 12 Aust 8, Wal 9 Aust 3. 1966/67: Aust 14 Wal 11, Scot 11 Aust 5, Aust 23 Eng 11, Ire 15 Aust 8. 1975/76: Scot 10 Aust 3, Wal 28 Aust 3, Eng 23 Aust 6, Aust 20 Ire 10. 1981/82: Aust 16 Ire 12, Wal 18 Aust 13, Scot 24 Aust 15, Eng 15 Aust 11. 1984: Aust 19 Eng 3, Aust 16 Ire 9, Aust 28 Wal 9, Aust 27 Scot 12. 2009: Ire 20 Aust 20, Aust 18 Eng 9, Scot 9 Aust 8, Aust 33 Wal 12. point in its history. Not only did it have the British pundits in raptures but it also energised the game in Australia.

David Campese, Nick FarrJones and Michael Lynagh were young members of Slack’s slick backline who would go on to claim the Bledisloe Cup in 1986 and the 1991 World Cup in London.

Emulating the 1984 team, coached by Alan Jones, would likewise give new coach McKenzie a huge springboard towards the 2015 World Cup in England.

Fortunately, there have been signs in the Wallabies’ past two matches — the 54-17 thrashing of Argentina and Saturday’s 41-33 loss to the All Blacks — that the backline, marshalled by Will Genia and Quade Cooper, is starting to hit its straps in attack and could provide similar thrills if the forwards can match it with their rivals.