AJ stated the 787 would be a "game changer" for the airline. That it would allow QF to "leapfrog" it's competitors.
AJ must have had routes in mind, that the "leapfrogging" would occur on.
However the reality is, AJ has kicked the can down the street on new aircraft replacements for mainline for such a long time. The competitors have leapfrogged Qantas with fuel savings (ie: Air NZ)