BRISBANE, September 12, 2008 (AFP) - Seven weeks ago the knives were out for New Zealand coach Graham Henry after he admitted he was 'out-coached' by compatriot Robbie Deans in an impressive Wallabies' victory in Sydney.

Henry had somehow survived the fall-out of the All Blacks' stunning quarter-final exit against France at last year's World Cup, with many expecting Deans to supplant him as the new All Blacks coach.

So when Deans plotted a resounding 34-19 victory over the All Blacks in Sydney on July 26, the pressure was immediately back on Henry.

Asked Friday a day ahead of the Tri-Nations decider against the Wallabies here if a loss would again put him under pressure, Henry was philosophical.

'It happens all the time, week in and week out, and things are not going to change,' he told reporters.

'It will be just more pleasant and the knives won't be as sharp if we win.'

Henry, who has won 49 of his 57 Tests since June 2004, is confident his rebuilt team has progressed enough this season to see off the Wallabies' threat.

'I think we've made some advances over the season. There have been a few players who haven't experienced this level of football before and they now have a few games under their belt and they have advanced positively because of that,' he said.

'The team has got pretty close as a group of people and they play for each other and I think there has been a gradual move up the graph as the season's gone on, and hopefully there will be another move on Saturday. It needs to be, we won't win unless there is.'

Looking back at the heavy defeat to Australia in July, Henry admitted he -- and his team -- has been taught a harsh lesson.

'We didn't get it right in Sydney. We were out-thought, out-coached and out-played...

'We just need to make sure we keep our feet on the ground. We played in Sydney a few weeks ago and got well beaten, so playing Australia in Australia is a major hurdle.'