Next up in our series of previews of the upcoming Rugby Championship, it’s the Wallabies.
It has been a tough few years for Australian rugby, battling off-field scandals as often as on-field opponents. And it’s reflected in their results, with just two wins in both the 2013 and 2014 editions of this tournament.
In a World Cup year, can they do any better? They have never triumphed in the Rugby Championship since it expanded to four teams, although they did win the last Tri-Nations – itself in the last World Cup year. A good omen, perhaps?
STRENGTHS
Australia’s backs are arguably the best in the world. If that sounds hyperbolic, you only have to consider that Christian Leali’ifano – a classy 10/12 hybrid – has been dropped for the opening weekend. Their options in the inside back positions include Quade Cooper, Bernard Foley, Matt Giteau, Kurtley Beale and Matt Toomua – a strength in depth in terms of play-makers that no other nation can match.
Israel Folau is a freak of a physical specimen at the back, and although he did not enjoy the best Super Rugby season by his high standards, he can always conjure a moment of magic. Along with Tevita Kuridrani, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Joe Tomane and new boy Taqele Naiyaravoro, there is firepower to make the most of the creativity inside.
They also have some utterly brilliant breakdown technicians, foremost amongst them David Pocock whose impression of a limpet is second to none. His return to fitness, not to mention form, poses a uniquely impossible question for Michael Cheika – does he continue with Michael Hooper, who has emerged from Pocock’s shadow to become one of the foremost opensides in his own right, or reinstate Pocock as first choice?
WEAKNESSES
Their scrummaging has improved in recent years but there is still no doubt that they do not possess a front five of top international quality. There are specks of brilliance – Stephen Moore is an inspirational captain and Will Skelton has that so-coveted combination of brute power and delicate footballing skills, but on the whole they do not have the reserves to power a world class set piece in the way that the likes of England and South Africa do. In recent years both those sides have enjoyed victories over the Wallabies largely based upon 10-man rugby.
There is also a certain degree of uncertainty as to what their best team is, with selection dilemmas across the park. Where the All Blacks and Springboks look fairly settled, questions abound – Hooper/Pocock, Genia/Phipps, Foley/Cooper/Giteau/Beale/Toomua are debates that need to be settled sooner rather than later to allow the side to gel.
KEY PLAYER
Will Genia was the best scrum-half in the world a few years ago, but injuries and his big-name role in a tanking Reds side have seen him slide dramatically down the pecking order. He’s back amongst it, though, and if given a shot with Quade Cooper, he could recreate the partnership that brought them such success a few seasons ago. With their first game in Brisbane, Genia and Cooper’s home ground, and incumbent Nick Phipps enjoying a less than stellar season for the Waratahs, Genia should get his chance to stake his claim early.
WORLD CUP BOLTER
Taqele Naiyorovoro has blasted his way onto the international scene thanks to a powerful Super Rugby season, ending with a bizarre international battle for his signature. Of Fijian descent, he was initially said to have agreed to play for his homeland before being included in the Wallaby squad, for whom he will likely make his debut on the opening weekend. Then there is the small matter of his will-he-won’t-he move to Glasgow next season, which of course would rule him out of contention for Australia and is thus one he is trying to renege on. Wherever he ends up, one thing’s for certain – he’s one of a handful of international rookie wingers that are about to make a name for themselves in this Rugby Championship.
Video credit: Glasgow Warriors TV
PREDICTION
While South Africa and New Zealand have already had a hit-out with games against a World XV and Samoa respectively, Australia enter the Rugby Championship blind. They play South Africa at home in the first game which would usually be a good chance for them to bag a win, but they will take a bit of time to blow away the cobwebs, while the Boks will be ready to go immediately. If they fail to win that opening game their trip to Argentina the week after takes on the feel of a wooden spoon decider. Most likely, they’ll win one of those two games, but not both. Predicted finish: 3rd.
By Jamie Hosie
Follow Jamie on Twitter: @jhosie43
Photo by: Patrick Khachfe / Onside Images
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Naiyorovoro reminds me quite a lot of Lomu. Similar running style. But he has a great offload!!