Australia coach Robbie Deans has dismissed the modest form of the country's five Super Rugby franchises as irrelevant, insisting the Wallabies will still be a force in the upcoming Test season, where they will face Scotland and Wales.
The Brumbies are the only Aussie side in the top six through nine rounds, with the Waratahs, Reds, Western Force and Melbourne Rebels all battling to make the play-offs.
Asked if he was worried over the sluggish start, Deans said: "No, never. There's nothing between teams and the reality is somebody has to be last."
"There's no doubt the Reds' performance last year was good but we don't have that sort of momentum right now, and whether we get it or not probably isn't that relevant to us.
"We'll gather a group, it's a distinct group, we'll determine how we want to play and the most important thing is how we come together."
The Wallabies face a tricky start to their Test season, with clashes against Scotland and Wales in the space of five days.
To further complicate matters, the Waratahs, Rebels and Brumbies all have Super Rugby fixtures to play on the weekend prior to the Scotland clash on Tuesday, 5 June.
That means the Wallabies must rely predominantly on Reds and Force players to face Andy Robinson's side.
"You look at that unique match in the first week and it's not something that daunts us," Deans said.
"Obviously it's fantastic for the playing group, how to deal with that circumstance of playing Super Rugby on the weekend, a Test match Tuesday and another Test match Saturday.
"Scotland and Wales are just going to be lying in wait, they've got an uninterrupted prep, they'll be jumping out of their skin and they'll see a great opportunity in Newcastle."
Asked if any players are likely to play in both the Scotland Test and the first Wales clash five days later in Brisbane, the coach replied: "Yes, they could. Much depends on their physical state at the time but I suspect there will be some at the time that will back up.
"Part of that consideration will be whether we can get any preparation time with them, it's going to be tough for a Waratah or a Brumby or a Rebel, for example, who played Friday or Saturday night to then turn out in a Test match on the Tuesday with no background."
