THE Wallabies are poised to "fulfil their destiny" after their incredible victory over Wales, the last coach to deliver Australia World Cup glory says.
Rod Macqueen believes Australia can go all the way after watching one of the most courageous defensive displays of all time, while World Cup-winning lock David Giffin has hailed coach Michael Cheika's ability to inspire his side after the 15-6 Twickenham win. 
Australia were reduced to 13 men when Will Genia and Dean Mumm were sin-binned within five minutes of each other in the second half, but Wales failed to score a point.
"Cheika and his staff have done a great job, and the players are on track to fulfil their destiny," Macqueen said.
"The scrum has made a huge difference, the confidence in the scrum and lineout has been the icing for them. To organise the defence the way they did with 13 players was pretty special." Macqueen led Australia to World Cup victory in 1999, and in that team was Giffin, who partnered John Eales in the second row. This year Giffin worked with Cheika on selections and plans for Australia's back five of the pack; the locks and backrowers.
It was the defensive effort of those players, in particular lock Kane Douglas and backrowers Scott Fardy, David Pocock and Ben McCalman, that continued page 60 from back page propelled Australia to victory. Cheika inherited a team in disarray just 12 months ago.
"I don't think we've seen someone with his skills in motivating individuals and unifying a squad for quite a while," Giffin said.
"This idea that he's not the most intelligent bloke, I know he likes to play that up, but he's got very clear ideas and plans." Giffin, who says Cheika's team shows "some parallels" to his 1999 side, believes that the Wallabies have a great chance to break their 16-year World Cup drought."I would have been concerned if we had to play South Africa and New Zealand after that to the extent that did transpire," Giffin said. "Without being disrespectful to Scotland - I'm sure they will turn up and there will be difficult moments - but switching to this side of the draw is very advantageous."