Wallabies skipper Stirling Mortlock rates Australia's development on their spring tour as outstanding, but says they still have a lot of improvement left despite an extremely positive first year under coach Robbie Deans.

Several players returned home on Saturday morning following a tour which yielded wins over Italy, England, France and the Barbarians and narrow losses to New Zealand and Wales.

In their first year under New Zealander Deans, Australia won nine out of their 14 Tests in addition to their season-ending victory over the Barbarians.

"The development in the growth of the guys going on tour was outstanding and now we can put our feet up knowing that we've had a decent year," Mortlock said at Sydney airport on Saturday morning.

"I think the skill level has improved and with that the confidence is coming, but I would say that we are fully aware that we've got a lot of improvement left within us and we're excited about the opportunity that the next year or two has in store for us."

Mortlock said he felt extremely positive about Australia's future.

"Two very, very narrow defeats to New Zealand, who are definitely number one team in the world and we're very close behind them, as far as competing over those two matches, that's positive," Mortlock said.

"But we feel as though we have started something here, especially this year and that way we finished off the tour, it's a beginning, there is a lot more growth left in us."

Asked to assess the influence of Deans on the team, Mortlock said: "He's brought a lot of enthusiasm, a lot of positivity and a lot of belief and that's flowed directly into the team and he's excited as the group is about where we're looking to head in the future."

Deans blooded a dozen new players this year, with young backs Quade Cooper and James O'Connor earning plaudits from veteran winger Lote Tuqiri whose own participation in the tour was limited by injury.

"They (Cooper and O'Connor) are going to go a long way," Tuqiri said.

"I think Quade Cooper is untapped and I didn't see much of James O'Connor, but he's a very confident kid and when he gets time on the field I think he will be great, he's only 18.

"They are both young guys, they are going to be great for Australian rugby going forward."

Mortlock said Australia's much scrutinised forward pack had continued improving on the tour.

Props Matt Dunning (snapped Achilles tendon) and Sekope Kepu (torn pectoral muscle), who were both injured in the same scrum against the Barbarians, were each anticipating imminent surgery.

Dunning hoped he would return faster than the predicted six to nine months layoff period, while Kepu hoped he could still play a part in next year's Super 14 tournament following an anticipated three to four month rehabilitation.

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