CARDIFF: The Wallabies believe a "hybrid" style that combines the NSW Waratahs game plan with the best attributes from rival Super Rugby teams can deliver international success.
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And while new coach Michael Cheika used golf clubs and the "poker face" to inspire NSW to a Super Rugby title, Bernard Foley says Cheika's biggest weapon is simple: self-belief.
That's why Foley is adamant the Waratahs' success can transfer to the international arena when Cheika takes charge of his first Test as Wallabies coach on Sunday.
The clash against Wales is a chance for Cheika to start moulding Australian rugby into a beast he hopes can win the World Cup next year.
After adapting to a new plan and coach, battling through a month of controversy and travelling around the world, Foley says the players can feel Cheika backing them to greatness when the game is on the line.
"He's very open and honest, a lot of players react well to that," Foley said.
"Cheik starts the momentum, the players buy into it and then everything progresses forward. Everyone knows that once you get the formula right, success comes.
"What Cheik can instil here is consistency. If we're not there, he's the one yelling and screaming to get us where we need to be."
Cheika and the Waratahs contingent in the Wallabies have been careful to avoid talk that Australia will resemble NSW's championship-winning style.
But Cheika overhauled the Waratahs program and his passion transformed them from perennial under-achievers to champions.
The Wallabies are already using NSW's ploy to start from 10 metres behind halfway from the kick-off.
The Wallabies already boast the NSW five-eighth, halfback, fullback and captain, coach and defensive coach.
Cheika's bizarre pre-match routine produced a drawing of a poker face, a reference to Lady Gaga's song, on a piece of paper during the Super Rugby season to inspire his players.
Before the Super Rugby grand final he handed golf clubs to every member of the team and told them to "tee off" against the Canterbury Crusaders.
Foley kicked a late penalty to lift the Waratahs to their inaugural title.
Asked if he was planning a similar tactic for the Wallabies, Cheika grinned and said: "I don't know, that stuff comes up at the last minute.
"A winning attitude comes from being consistently high level all the time, you can only get the winning habit from winning games regularly," Cheika said.
"We have to demand a high standard all the time … The core part about that is self-belief. It's something we have to rebuild.
"Truth be told, guys have been hit over the head with a stick for a while now. It's about time we get a bit more self-belief, do our best and let the cards fall."
Foley is still coming to grips with his journey from almost being on the Super Rugby scrap heap to his first starting appearance in Europe.
The NSW playmaker thought his Wallabies dream had passed him after spending two years in the Australian sevens set-up.
In fact, he thought the only time he'd be at Millennium Stadium would be on a Contiki tour stopover.
Cheika's arrival at the Waratahs has coincided with his rise into the Test No. 10 jersey and Foley hopes that combination can help the Wallabies achieve success.
But he knows he has Quade Cooper breathing down his neck as the pair battle to be Australia's five-eighth at the World Cup next year.
"You can never rest or get complacent as a player … that's a driver in this team," Foley said.
"Quade has had a lot of experience in these games and to have him in the side and passing on his knowledge is great, it's healthy competition.
"It's been a bit of a dream and a roller-coaster, I never thought I'd be here. I thought I'd only be here in a pub or on a Contiki. It's been great to enjoy it.'
The pint-sized 25-year-old was constantly overlooked for Super Rugby duties before the Waratahs gave him a chance in 2011.
Now he feels confident to step up if the game is on the line to help the Wallabies win.
"It comes with a bit of responsibility, but you want to step up in those moments," Foley said.
"You train hard to hopefully reach the next level … I never thought I'd make it here, but it's definitely a dream come true. I never gave up, but there were times when I didn't think it would happen.
"You do have that self-doubt … you've got to take opportunities when they come."
The Wallabies have lost just twice in the past 24 Tests against Wales. They have won the past nine in a row and the clash in Cardiff is a chance to extend the streak before a rematch in the World Cup.
The last time Wales beat Australia, the Wallabies line-up included Matt Giteau, Stirling Mortlock, Phil Waugh and Ryan Cross.
Cheika is refusing to look beyond the first Test of his Wallabies tenure, describing himself as an international novice.
"It seems the consensus over here is not if, but when [Wales end the losing streak], a lot of people aren't giving us much a show through the UK," Cheika said.
"It's up to us to dig our heels in and push hard to be successful on Saturday. The marker now is for now [not the World Cup].
"I imagine [Wales] have looked at some Super Rugby to prepare. We're relatively new kids on the block, I'm sure they've got the edge and advantage in the coaching ranks. It's up to us to deliver a really clear picture of what we're about."
