David Wilson holds aloft the Bledisloe Cup © Getty Images

Enlarge

Related Links

Teams: Australia

The big challenge for the Wallabies is only about to begin, according to retiring flanker David Wilson.

Saturday's 19-18 Tri-Nations victory against South Africa was Wilson's final game in the Wallaby jersey after almost a decade of international rugby that has included Bledisloe and World Cup successes and just about every other item of silverware that the rugby world has to offer.

Wilson is joined by longtime team-mates Jason Little, Richard Harry and Tim Horan in retiring from the Wallabies ending easily the side's most successful era. Their departure opens the door for a huge influx of new talent and with the British Lions touring Australia next year for the first time since 1989, the challenge on the new players will be great.

Rod Macqueen will announce the squad at the end of this week for the trip to France, England and Scotland in November.

"The most difficult task now is for this team to set new goals because we're a very goal-orientated team and we've spent all this season focusing on the Tri-Nations," Wilson said.

"Before that, the World Cup was our focus for two years and we were lucky we didn't have a fall-off period after that because we wanted to win the Tri-Nations for the first time.

"It's tough to get to the top but it's probably even tougher to stay there and it's going to be a great challenge, but I'm sure they've got the ability to do it."

Wilson's spot could be one of the most hotly contested with Brumbies' youngster George Smith impressing during the Super 12, as did the Waratahs' David Lyons and Phil Waugh.

Queensland's Elton Flatley received Horan's backing as Australia's next inside-centre, although former Wallaby Nathan Grey is expected to challenge hard after a disappointing Super 12.

It will be the front-row, however, that Wallaby selectors have most concern with the depth not as great as in other positions. The Brumbies' Bill Young could be the front-runner at loose-head prop.