The Wallabies believe Saturday night's mauling at the hands of the All Blacks could be the reality check they need before continuing their search for an elusive Tri-Nations road win in South Africa later this month.

Australia went into Saturday night's Bledisloe Cup clash brimming with confidence after their five-Test winning streak under new coach Robbie Deans and optimistic they could end a 22-year hoodoo at Eden Park and a streak of 14 away losses to their Tri-Nations opponents.

They were brought crashing back to earth as the All Blacks clinically disposed of them 39-10, in the process ending Deans' Wallabies honeymoon.

"A bit of a reality check might be good for the guys, bring us back down to earth," Wallabies five-eighth Matt Giteau said.

"The work ethic within the group has been great and we prepared well for this game so I think it just reinforces how tough it is to win away from home and I think we need that heading to South Africa." The Wallabies now have a week-and-a-half off before regrouping for the tough two-Test leg in the republic.

Their woeful recent record on the road is certain to be raised again - they play the world champion Springboks in Durban, where their last victory was in 2000, and at altitude in Johannesburg where they haven't won for 45 years.

Winger Lote Tuqiri agreed the big loss to the All Blacks would help bring some perspective to Deans' rebuilding project.

"We were confident, whether we were over confident I don't know," he said.

"We get a couple of days off now, hopefully get the niggles, bumps and bruises out of the way and I guess get away from footy because it's been pretty full-on over the last couple of weeks, and get a bit of balance going on." Australia could be forced to select their third fullback of the season after Adam Ashley-Cooper suffered a broken hand which could require surgery.

With Cameron Shepherd already on the sidelines, Drew Mitchell and Lachlan Turner would come into consideration for the No.15 jersey if Ashley-Cooper is ruled out.

Deans will also be hoping flanker Rocky Elsom can return from a foot injury after the experiment with specialist open-sides George Smith and Phil Waugh contributed to Australia's lineout being pulverised.

The race for the Tri-Nations title remains wide open even though New Zealand shot to the top of the table on 10 points with Saturday night's bonus point win.

They lead Australia by a point but the Wallabies have a game in hand.

South Africa have five points and also a game in hand on the All Blacks.

Deans admitted he had hit his first speed hump in remodelling the Wallabies after gradual improvement over his first five games in charge.

"The whole experience wasn't pleasant but the key for us is to make it a piece of growth," he said.

"You don't see too many roads without bends in them." But the coach is not spooked by Australia's poor away record.

"To be honest I think we tend to put our own barriers in front of ourselves that aren't necessarily there," he said.

"Most barriers in this game are self-imposed, it's what you think of it. If you think winning away from home's tough then it's tough." Giteau said Deans' first address to them as a losing side had contained a simple message.

"It's a short competition, move on. Obviously we're disappointed. Review your game but don't dwell," Giteau said.

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