That's why you won't hear him crowing about their transformation from a rabble 12 months ago to World Cup finalists this week. The most respected voice in the Australian team says anyone caught looking at the past will be caught "standing still" as the Wallabies attempt to make their own history.

It's a poignant declaration given Moore has been the Wallabies' public voice of reason in recent years, who has stood tall at controversial moments to uphold standards in the Test ranks. But it's what goes unsaid now that defines Moore's leadership and has made him one of the strongest captains in recent times.

"We've tried to stress that it's not about talk through this whole year," Moore said. "It's not as though we woke up yesterday and said we don't want to be talking, we want to do it. That's really part of what we want to be about. I've always been aware of the importance of actions. There's no magic or secrets. It's just being honest with each other and working towards the same philosophy."

The Wallabies have a diverse mix of players from, as coach Michael Cheika put it this week, "jokers, lovers and fighters". Moore falls somewhere in the middle as the serious captain, but that doesn't mean he's not bursting with excitement.

It might be hard to see through the steely exterior of a driven man, but Moore knows the Wallabies have a chance to create history by becoming the first country to win the World Cup three times. "I am excited. It's a dream to get this opportunity. A lot of work goes into getting to this position," Moore said. "But the minute that you're looking back at that, you're standing still a little bit. I'm not allowing myself to do that this week, keeping my head down and trying to get better.

"As a player, there's a clear road map for how we go about it."

Few people gave the Wallabies' hope of being in the World Cup final after the drama of the past three years. They're on to their third coach since July 2013 and have churned through more than 70 players to try to find the right mix.

Moore says the job's not done and they're determined to lift the Webb Ellis Cup and put the past to bed.

Robbie Deans' time in charge was dogged by off-field grumblings in the playing group and Quade Cooper's infamous "toxic" environment tweet. Ewen McKenzie took over but his downfall was swift last year when a text-message drama emerged. That brought Cheika and Moore together as the Wallabies leading voices and it has paid dividends.

Asked how he wanted to be defined as a captain, Moore said: "I don't have stuff stuck on my fridge or anything like that. I don't have any real grand plans or long-term visions. I've been looking short term to every day, week or game and dealing with it all in the moment.

"This week's the same. No matter what the hype is, it's a game. And my job as a leader is prepare them to be their best for 80 minutes. That's what it will take."

Moore made his Super Rugby debut in 2003 and played his first Test in 2005. He became just the seventh Wallaby to reach a Test century in the World Cup-final two weeks ago.

But despite his decorated career, Moore has played in just one grand final in the past 13 years. "The attention around a World Cup final is unavoidable. It's a bigger stage. But you've got to park that to one side and make sure you're not leaving anything to chance."