By Jonathon Moore Rugby union editor

George Gregan needs to rediscover his passion for the game

When Australia lifted the Webb Ellis Trophy in 1999, their fans were understandably excited at the prospect of defending their trophy on home turf some four years later.

The Wallabies had negotiated the tournament with ease.

Having notched up straightforward victories over Wales and South Africa they eased past France in the final to cement their status as the world's number one team.

Centre Tim Horan was deservedly named man of the tournament - but theirs was a victory built on firmer foundations.

In a side full of talent, players of the calibre of captain John Eales, George Gregan and Toutai Kefu all enhanced their reputations on the biggest stage of all.

Australian rugby was truly in rude health.

To compound the misery of their rivals, they then followed up their World Cup triumph by winning back-to-back Tri-Nations titles in 2000 and 2001.

And they sent their legendary captain Eales into retirement after seeing off the formidable challenge of the Lions.

Two years later, the story could not be more different.

The famous Aussie swagger has all but disappeared and confidence, once lost, is never easy to restore.

In the last three games, the Wallabies have conceded more than 100 points.

Since losing out to South Africa in the final game of the 2002 Tri-Nations their record reads: Played 8; Won 3; Lost 5, with those victories coming against Ireland, Italy and Wales.

Understandably, coach Eddie Jones and captain Gregan have been targeted for the reason behind the slump.

The problem for Australia is that Jones remains one of Australia's most experienced rugby brains.

I don't buy into that whole passion thing Wallaby captain George Gregan

His pedigree is first class and he was groomed for the role of national coach.

Gregan, for his part, looks a shadow of the player he once was. His trademark sniping runs have disappeared only to be replaced by a 'two step' walk that accompanies every pass.

But there are other, more deep-rooted problems the Wallabies must overcome if they are not to embarrass themselves come October.

In the build-up to Saturday's match Gregan made an alarming admission.

"I don't buy into that whole passion thing. I think it's a load of rubbish, personally," he was quoted as saying in the Australian media.

Gregan's predecessor is unlikely to have been impressed with the remark.

Eales never quite wore his heart on his sleeve, but there was never any question of the passion he brought to the job.

Gregan aside, the Wallabies' defensive frailties are equally obvious as was their ability to close down New Zealand's pacy back three.

The solution lies not behind the scrum-half but in front of him.

While Jones' experiment of picking two open-side flankers was not the disaster many had predicted, it leaves the Australian pack light on beef.

Toutai Kefu certainly poses a threat with the ball in hand, but the Wallabies still lack the presence of a Richard Hill or Jerry Collins - a player who relies on his strength, and not merely his skill, to succeed.

Stephen Larkham found gaps in the Kiwi defence

As full-time approached, Australia's scrum also buckled badly - an episode that will have shocked Jones as much as the final scoreline.

The Kiwis were always second best against England in the tight and the Wallabies will need to work hard on their set piece to give themselves an even footing for the remainder of the tournament.

It all adds up to a huge challenge for Jones and his team.

Australians have grown used to success on the rugby field, though there is little evidence, as yet, that they have the ability to retain their World Cup crown.

Jones chose to concentrate on the positives after the match, preferring to discuss Wendall Sailor's sin-binning as a key turning point in the game.

Optimists will also point to Stephen Larkham's ability to find the gaps and outside centre Mat Rogers is also showing he has made a successful transition from the 13-man code.

That, allied to an impressive showing in the line-out, is evidence enough that the Australian cupboard is by no means bare.

But unless their players can rediscover the qualities Eales brought to the game, Argentina will be licking their lips at the prospect of downing the hosts at Stadium Australia on 10 October.