The Wallabies can learn plenty from the Socceroos' Asian Cup victory © Getty Images

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The Socceroos' Asian Cup triumph has revitalised the 11-man game in Australia, effectively pushing rugby deeper into the shadows just days before the start of the Super Rugby season.

At a time when those who follow Australian football's other notably gold uniform have been exasperated by the exposure of Wallabies dirty linen, which saw a head coach exit last year, they have been able to regain the national faith through the Socceroos flourishing Asian Cup campaign.

Australian soccer - that has at times struggled for identity - currently can do no wrong. It is luring enormous crowds and can boast of hosting the best Asian Cup tournament. With the victory has come media hype that soccer has taken over the Australian football landscape. Not quite.

It must be remembered it wasn't that long ago the same was being said about Australian rugby. When the Wallabies were winning important international trophies and putting the All Blacks in their place, they were followed by all and sundry. The Australian rugby authorities in 2003 could also boast of staging the best World Cup tournament.

Now Australian rugby is the football code struggling for identity. But it is not yet time to throw up the arms and give up; instead there is so much rugby can learn from the inspiring Rise of the Socceroos.

The clue to it all is winning; or if not always winning at least playing as if it is your sole aim. It is how you pursue victory. You must constantly be daring and prepared to take risks - on the field and in the selection process.

Australian sporting crowds have always embraced those in the national colours who are audacious, unpredictable, bold … more so if they are newcomers or from left field. The Socceroos had these elements during the Asian Cup, with their coach, Ange Postecoglou, rewarded for pushing for new faces during the lead-up. Australian rugby has also been at its best when those in control have been either radical or adhered to an attacking philosophy in spite of its dangers.

Even more important is what leading soccer writer Michael Cockerill referred to in the Sydney Morning Herald following Australia's grand final win over South Korea. He explained: 'Better teams have represented Australia, and better players have played for Australia. But there's never been a bigger achievement, or a better moment, than this."

The same goes with the Wallabies in a World Cup year. When the Wallabies head off to Europe in September, they will be nowhere near the greatest Australian team, and the squad will comprise numerous players considerably short of the ultimate; they will have their flaws - especially up front.

As shown during the Wales-England Six Nations opener on the weekend, the Wallabies have a considerable way to go before feeling confident that they can counter either of their World Cup pool opponents. Neither British team is spectacular, but they are solid, assured and primed in the power game. Their packs are formidable, and each boasts a fair No 8 - with England's Billy Vunipola a standout at Millennium Stadium, eclipsing the diligent Welsh No.8, Toby Faletau.

They also boast bulk out wide, and the Wallabies' outer defence will be tested as much as the contentious forward stocks. England and Wales are bound not to drift in attack but directly confront their immediate defensive opponent; they are definite tournament threats, and a quarter-final berth in foreign territory for the Wallabies is no certainty.

Michael Cheika has the ability to turn the Wallabies around © Getty Images

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That's why a third Australian World Cup win will be right up there as the code's biggest achievement or moment, as it will be so unexpected. But victory is not beyond the Wallabies. Getting the best out of limited resources will revolve around excellent player selection, making full use of the team assets, in particular the expressive backline, and focusing hard on alleviating their problems - which means somehow making the Australian scrum competitive in every game. It's something that for decades a multitude of Wallabies coaches have tried to get right. Some have succeeded; most haven't.

Most crucially you must have a winner's philosophy. That is where Wallabies coach Michael Cheika is an asset. He is a winner - both in Europe and in Australia, where he effectively kicked heads at the Waratahs last year to at last transform potential into a potent force.

He also understands that victory involves an attractive style, which has seen the Waratahs and Wallabies adopt a positive attacking attitude that is also appealing to those who follow the game, and those who want any excuse to follow it again.

After all, Waratahs home crowds were falling away dramatically until last year - when the team achieved rewards by playing with purpose at high pace. At the venue where the Socceroos won the Asian Cup final, a record crowd of 61,823 - including thousands who hadn't been sighted at a NSW game in years - relished the moment when the Waratahs at last were Super Rugby achievers when defeating the Crusaders in the 2014 final.

Cheika is now trying to do something similar with the green and gold.

The crowds will return if they again start believing the Wallabies are worth watching, that the team has the required youthful exuberance to be cutting edge - and has the pursuit of victory deep within the soul. A win against the All Blacks would also be handy. But let's not get ahead of ourselves.