The stats suggest the Wallabies play with more flair away from home venues, such as Cbus Stadium on the Gold Coast © Getty Images

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Features: The tour from hell

It's universally accepted that playing at home is an advantage in sport, however at the pinnacle of rugby playing on the road may not be such a big deal any more.

Super Rugby players can play their away matches in different continents, while playing conditions at elite level are generally of a high standard. And in Test rugby, 'home' matches are often shared around the grounds to give every corner of a nation the chance to witness their heroes in the flesh.

The Wallabies faced a four-hour flight from their training base in New South Wales to a home Test against South Africa recently. With players constantly using planes, trains and automobiles we may be entering an age where home advantage counts for less than ever before, except perhaps for places as extreme as Murrayfield in November or the high altitude areas of South Africa. We look at Australia and New Zealand's performances in recent years, breaking it down by home and away Tests.

At the bread and butter results level, it is hard to argue against the fact that Australia seem to prefer playing at home. The Wallabies have a slightly better home record in their home Tests since the start of last year, winning two thirds of their nine games and just half away from home.

But in the Rugby Championship alone, they have struggled when hopping on a plane over the Tasman or to South Africa. However, if you take Australia's try-scoring tally and separate it, home and away, a different story is told. Both they and the All Blacks have found it easier to score tries when playing on foreign soil, perhaps an indication they are more willing to play with the shackles off when not fronted with the pressure of a home crowd.

Going deeper than results, tries and points, there are more figures which back up the theory that Australia can play their best rugby when coming out of the visiting changing room by looking at their past 13 months of action. Despite spending far less time in occupancy of the ball, they have managed to average a much stronger average gain per carry and break the line more often than when playing at home. They are more adventurous. Decreased possession and a more open-minded attack have led to more penalties and turnovers, however. In the Rugby Championship alone, it is similar story with regards to attack but they have been exposed more often in defence.

The All Blacks have been largely untroubled when playing at home or away in the past few years but for the odd scare. They too have scored more tries and points when on their travels but in contrast to the Australians, seem to shut up shop more when not running out at the likes of Auckland, Christchurch, Hamilton or Wellington.

Since the start of last August they have averaged much less time in possession when not at home and break the line less often. However, it is their discipline with the ball and rock-solid tackling that has carried them through the tougher tests. Despite averaging over 30 extra tackles per game they have matched the success rate they maintain at home. They produce fewer turnovers and only once in a blue moon does this happen at the breakdown.