Ahead of the 2018 Rugby Championship, we preview the teams looking to get their hands on the coveted silverware. Next up, it is Australia.
Australian rugby is in a much better place just 12 months on as the Wallabies gear up for another Rugby Championship. Last season, the national side entered the competition with their Super Rugby sides having failed to win a single game against New Zealand opposition while there was the ongoing saga over which franchise should be axed.
A year on, the Wallabies are safe in the knowledge that they have broken a Bledisloe drought that had previously spanned back to 2015 – with that 23-18 victory at a rain-drenched Suncorp Stadium in October. Furthermore, their Super Rugby sides are in a far better state, while the Waratahs trio of Israel Folau, Kurtley Beale and Bernard Foley are in fine form, having gone to a Super Rugby semi-final with the Waratahs.
Last year: The Wallabies headed in to the tournament low on confidence on the back of a 24-19 defeat to Scotland in Sydney and with the Super Rugby franchises having endured their worst season in history. But with their backs to the wall, Michael Cheika’s men managed to produce some quality rugby.
However, it did not look to be the case when they started with a 54-34 drubbing at the hands of the All Blacks, which severely exposed their defensive lines. Cheika’s men rallied back in round two and were unlucky to lose to the same opposition 35-29 as Beauden Barrett’s last-gasp try snatched victory out of their hands.
What followed was a 23-23 draw with the Springboks in Perth before they finally claimed their first win of the tournament with a 45-20 win over Argentina a week later at the same venue. Remarkably, they played out to a second successive draw against the Springboks; a 27-27 stalemate this time in Bloemfontein.
A 37-20 victory over Los Pumas in Mendoza in their last fixture would ensure the Wallabies finished in second place behind the All Blacks on the overall standings.
This year: As mentioned, Australian rugby is in a much better place 12 months on after a difficult 2017. The Wallabies will be relieved to have the burden of the six-game losing streak against the All Blacks off their back. That 23-18 victory in the third Bledisloe of last year following the Rugby Championship will give them real belief going into the 2018 tournament.
However, they are facing something of a midfield crisis, with both Tevita Kuridrani and Samu Kerevi ruled out of the tournament with long-term injuries. Reece Hodge and Curtis Rona now appear to be in a two-horse race for the number 13 jersey, with the former seemingly leading the way in that duel, having started there in Friday’s Bledisloe Cup trial. Hodge has proven himself to be the epitome of versatility and offers a long-range option with the boot; crucial for those tight Test matches.
Despite the uncertainty at outside centre, the backline is in a better shape than it has been in a long time, mainly thanks to the Waratahs contingent. Kurtley Beale is back with a bang which has in turn freed up Bernard Foley, who is playing with his old swagger again. Then there is the threat of Israel Folau, who scored 14 tries in Super Rugby this season.
Meanwhile, the forward pack is ever-improving. The return of David Pocock was crucial in the games against Ireland in June as, although they lost 2-1, he was a constant threat at the breakdown. Remember that Hooper missed most of that series so, with the pair set to be reunited in the loose trio, it is a mouth-watering prospect indeed. But what Cheika will be most pleased with is the abundance of options in the front-row. Young guns such as Taniela Tupou and Brandon Paenga-Amosa are pushing the old guard for a regular starting berth and this sort of competition and mix of youth and experience can only be beneficial to the squad.
Ones to watch: Keep a lookout for Tatafu Polota-Nau. With a lack of experienced hookers in the Wallaby set-up at the moment, Polota-Nau’s role has become even more crucial to the Wallabies since Stephen Moore’s retirement. All eyes will be on Polota-Nau as he hasn’t had a lot of game-time in recent weeks, with him now plying his trade in the English Premiership with Leicester Tigers.
Watch out for the electrifying Tom Banks. There is surely no one faster in the Wallabies squad. Banks has showcased that searing pace on numerous occasions for the Brumbies this season and was rewarded for his eye-catching performances when being named in Michael Cheika’s squad for the June series against Ireland. The 24-year-old had scored four tries in three games prior to receiving the call from Cheika, including a brilliant solo effort and contender for try of the season against the Bulls in Pretoria.
Prediction: It will be a tight battle between the Wallabies and South Africa for second but we think that the Springboks may just have the edge up front, particularly with Cheika still looking for that young hooker to fill the position vacated by Stephen Moore. Third.
Fixtures:
Saturday, 18 August: vs New Zealand (home)
Saturday, 25 August: vs New Zealand (away)
Saturday, 8 September: vs South Africa (home)
Saturday, 15 September: vs Argentina (home)
Saturday, 29 September: vs South Africa (home)
Saturday, 6 October: vs Argentina (away)