And despite a heavy workload of 10 months' non-stop rugby, Alexander insisted he was still fresh and ready to power on with the Wallabies preparing for a Bledisloe Cup match and a four-game tour of Europe.

The ACT Brumbies front-rower arrived in Canberra yesterday after a two-week trip to South Africa and Argentina. He has a week to rest before returning to training and continuing his gruelling year that began in January with Brumbies pre-season training.

But while he plays in one of the most physically demanding positions, Alexander said he has enough energy left to make sure he finishes the year on a high.

That means trying to topple world No.1 New Zealand. The All Blacks dominated the Rugby Championship and Alexander described the team as ''one of the best in history''.

In contrast the Wallabies have been demolished by injuries but did manage to beat Argentina in Rosario last weekend.

''As a group, to prove people wrong [in Argentina] was really satisfying,'' Alexander told The Canberra Times.

''I definitely think we can beat the All Blacks, we're not happy with how we played them in the first two Test matches. They've improved since then as well, but everyone is excited and that win in Rosario has really given the group a boost.

''We've learnt our lessons and addressed [mistakes]. We know we have lift … to beat the All Blacks, but everyone wants to rip in.''

Alexander was a shock omission from Robbie Deans's squad for the for the first Bledisloe Cup match in August. However, he returned the following week to be a part of the Wallabies team that was trounced 22-0 at Eden Park.

Deans and the players have come under fire this season after battling through the Rugby Championship and winning just three games. But their triumph in Argentina without James Horwill, Will Genia, David Pocock, Stephen Moore, Berrick Barnes and Quade Cooper has started to repair the dented pride.

In past seasons Alexander has been drained at the end of the Rugby Championship, but the Brumbies used a front-row rotation to give the versatile prop a rest during the Super Rugby season and the 27-year-old said he is reaping the rewards.

This year has been one of the most packed playing schedules in Wallabies history with an extended Super Rugby campaign, mid-season Tests, a four-team Rugby Championship and a tour to Europe to play France, England, Italy and Wales.

''My body feels really good, we've managed my work load a lot better this year and I feel better than I did last year,'' Alexander said.

''I feel like I've got a lot to contribute this year and hopefully I can do that in five massive games to finish the season. Mentally I'm still excited about the challenges ahead.''

The Wallabies are hoping stand-in captain Nathan Sharpe postpones his retirement for a third time to lead the Wallabies on their spring tour.

Deans has asked the 34-year-old to continue and he will make his decision in the coming week.

Alexander hopes the veteran second-rower continues.

''He's loving having this big, long farewell, it's like Johnny Farnham,'' Alexander said. ''He's a great leader … Sharpey's leadership and cool head have been crucial to guiding this young group through pretty tough times.''

■ EVERGREEN dual international Brad Thorn is reportedly set to write a final chapter in his remarkable playing career by returning to Super Rugby with New Zealand franchise the Highlanders.

The former All Blacks second row, who played for Brisbane, Queensland and Australia in rugby league, has been playing rugby union in Japan and Ireland since helping the All Blacks win last year's World Cup.

But the Otago Daily Times reported Thorn, who will turn 38 in February, has met with Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph and is believed to have agreed to play for the Dunedin-based franchise next season.

Thorn previously played Super Rugby for the Crusaders, however a move to the Highlanders would be a fitting career finale for Thorn, who was born in Mosgiel, which is just outside Dunedin.

He would add experience and steel to a Highlanders forward pack that already includes new signings, All Blacks prop Tony Woodcock and hooker Andrew Hore.

Thorn left for Japan last year on a two-year deal to play for the Fukuoka Sanix Blues and that deal is due to expire in late February, paving his way to play in Super Rugby.

Earlier this year, he signed a three-month contract with Irish club Leinster and helped them to win Europe's Heineken Cup. It added another honour to Thorn's long list, having tasted success at virtually every level in both codes.