How the Wallabies can 'upset a few people' at next year's RWC
Australian rugby great Phil Waugh believes the Wallabies can “upset a few people” at next year’s World Cup in France, despite their “disappointing loss record for the year.”
The Wallabies moved up from eighth to sixth in World Rugby’s official rankings after their win over Wales last weekend, but their position just goes to show how competitive rugby is.
Next year’s Rugby World Cup will be the biggest and best tournament yet, as more teams than ever before can win crunch clashes – we’ve seen that this month.
The rugby world witnessed history throughout the Autumn Nations Series as Italy beat Australia for the first time, Georgia defeated Wales in Cardiff, and England lost to Argentina at Twickenham for the first time in years.
But that’s not to say that there aren’t strong favourites ahead of the sport’s biggest event, it just goes to show that you can’t quite rule anyone out.
World No. 1 Ireland have held onto their top ranking after an impressive season, which included a historic series win over the All Blacks in New Zealand.
Next on the men’s world rankings are France, who went undefeated throughout the entirety of their 2022 campaign.
Traditional powerhouses New Zealand and South Africa are currently third and fourth, while England are one spot ahead of the Wallabies.
Waugh, who played in the 2003 World Cup final loss against England in Sydney, highlighted those first four teams as the major contenders for next year’s tournament – but he wouldn’t rule out the Wallabies.
“I’d say France would have to be. In saying that we saw in the Wallabies game against France they’re beatable against France,” Waugh said on Weekend Sport with Jason Pine.
“I still think the All Blacks are going to be a big threat. I think South Africa… overall I think the All Blacks and the Springboks.
“Ireland, the number one team in the world. They’re very reliant on Johnny Sexton.
“They’d be the four teams and as an Australian and an optimist… I think we could upset a few people too.”
The Wallabies are coming off a stunning end to their season, as they overcame a 21-point deficit with just over 20 minutes to play to beat Wales in Cardiff.
While it was justice for the Wallabies, who had fallen short in three tense battles in the few weeks before, it doesn’t exactly right all the wrongs of the year that was.
Australia began their season with a thrilling win over England in Perth, before losing six of their next eight Tests before heading to Europe.
While they were able to beat Scotland at Murrayfield by one point – flyhalf Blair Kinghorn missed a penalty attempt inside the final minute – Australia lost their next three matches by three points or less.
The Wallabies have potential, and the character they showed this month is incredibly positive for the men in gold moving forward.
But if they’re to challenge the best teams in knockout rugby next year, then indiscipline and inconsistent team selections have to be addressed.
While Australia have plenty of potential in their halves, their go-to nine-10 combination is still unclear. Waugh said that these key players have to step up as it will determine “whether you win or lose a World Cup.”
“If you look at the history of who has won World Cup’s, you go back to ’87, every team that’s won World Cup’s has had the best nine and 10 – at least up there with one of the best nine and 10’s in the world,” he said.
“When I look at who needs to perform, we need a nine to stand up. Who’s that? We’ve got three choices at the moment between Nic White, Tate McDermott and Jake Gordon so a lot of depth there.
“(Quade) Cooper has done his Achilles so will he be back in time (to play) 10, and I know how much you love Quade Cooper over the ditch there.
“Bernard Foley’s stepped up and performed well when he’s had the opportunity.
“There’s young guys coming through as well… There’s a bit of depth.
“The nine and 10, historically, have been the key players as to whether you win or lose a World Cup.”
As for Trans Tasmin rivals New Zealand, who Waugh called “a big threat” ahead of next year’s World Cup, they’ll be looking to continue their impressive form into 2023.
The All Blacks went unbeaten in their last seven Test matches of the year, and would’ve won them all had it not been for a disastrous collapse against England.
“I was surprised they let the foot off the throat against England, that was a big missed opportunity.
“To end up drawing, it was probably a really disappointing finish for them.
“You put your best team out there and I think it’s still very hard to beat. I think that (what) New Zealand’s been very good at for a long period of time is being able to score points very quickly.
“Looking at the talent across the whole squad in New Zealand, I think if everyone’s fit, it’s going to be a very, very strong All Blacks team going into the World Cup.”
Comments on RugbyPass
I’m guessing Carl Hayman would have preferred to have stayed in NZ with benefit of hindsight. Up north there is the expectation to play twice as many games with far less ‘player management’ protocols that Paul is now criticising. Less playing through concussions means longer, healthier, careers. Carter used as the eg here by Paul, his sabbatical allowed him to play until age 37. OK its not an exact science but there is far more expectations on players who sign for Top 14 or Engl Prem clubs to get value for the huge salaries. NZR get alot wrong but keeping their best players in NZ rugby is not one of them. SA clubs are virtually devoid of their top players now, no thanks. They cant threaten the big teams in the Champions Cup, the squads have little depth. Cant see Canes/Chiefs struggling. Super has been great this year, fantastic high skill matches. Drua a fantastic addition and Jaguares will add another quality team eventually. Aus teams performing strongly and no doubt will benefit with the incentive of a Lions tour and a home RWC. Let Jordie enjoy his time with Leinster, it will allow the opportunity for another player to emerge at Canes in his absence.
4 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
4 Go to comments“South African franchises would be powerhouses if we had all our overseas based players back in situ. We would have the same unbeatable aura the Toulouses, Leinsters or Saracens of this world have had over the last decade or so.” Proof that Jake white does not understand the economics of the game in SA. Players earning abroad are not going to simply come back and represent the bulls. But they might if they have a springbok contract.
22 Go to commentsA lot of fans just joined in for the fun of it! We all admire O'Gara and what he has done for La Rochelle
4 Go to commentsThe RFU will find a way to mess this up as usual. My bet is there will be no promotion into the the Premiership, only relegation into National League One. Hopefully they won’t parachute failed clubs into the league at the expense of clubs who have battled for promotion.
6 Go to commentsWell that’s the contracts for RG and Jordie bought and paid for. Now, what are the chances we can persuade Antoine to hop over with all the extra dosh we’ll have from living at the Aviva & Croke next season…??? 🤑🤑🤑
8 Go to commentsWow, that’s incredible. Great for rugby.
8 Go to commentsYou probably read that parling is going to coach the wallaby lineout but if not before now you have.
14 Go to commentsIf someone like Leo Cullen was in O’Gara’s place I don’t hear Boo-ing. It’s not just that La Rochelle has hurt Leinster and O’Gara is their Irish boss. It’s the needle that he brings and the pantomime activity before the game around pretending that Munster were supporting LaRochelle just because O’Gara is from Cork. That’s dividing Irish provinces just to get an advantage for his French Team. He can F*ck right off with that. BOOOOO! (but not while someone is lying injured)
4 Go to commentsDid the highlanders party too hard before the game? They were the pits.
1 Go to commentsWhat a player! Not long until he’s in the England side, surely?
2 Go to commentsHe seems to have the same aura as Marcus Smith - by which I mean he’s consistently judged as if he’s several years younger than he actually is. Mngomezulu has played 24 times for the Stormers. When Pollard was his age he had played 24 times for South Africa! He has more time to develop, but he has also had time to do some developing already, and he hasn’t demonstrated nearly as much talent in that time as one would expect. If he is a generational talent, then it must be a pretty poor generation.
6 Go to commentsThe greatest Springbok coach of all time is entirely on the money. Rassie and Jacques have given the south african public a great few years, but the success of the springbok selection policy will need to be judged in light of what comes next. The poor condition that the provincial system is currently in doesn’t bode well for the next few years of international rugby, and the insane 2026 schedule that the Boks have lined up could also really harm both provincial and international consistency.
22 Go to commentsJake White is a brilliant coach and a master in the press. This is another masterclass in media relations and PR but its also a very narrow view with arguments that dont always hold water. White wants his team to win, he wants the best players in SA and wants his team competitive. You however have to face up to the reality of a poor exchange rate and big clubs with big budgets. SA Rugby cant compete and unless it can find more money SA players will keep leaving regardless of Springbok eligibility and this happened in 2015 - 2017. Also rugby is not cricket. Cricket has 3 formats and T20 cricket is where the money is at. When it comes to club vs country the IPL is king but that wont happen because the international calendar does not clash with the club calendar in rugby. So the argument about rugby going down the same path as cricket is really a non-starter
22 Go to commentsNZ rugby seem not to have learnt anything from professional rugby. Super rugby was dying and SA left before they died with the competition. SA rugby did a u turn on their approach to international players playing overseas and such players are now selected for Bok teams. As much as each country would love to retain their players playing in local competitions, this is the way the world is evolving my friends. Move with it or stay 20 years behind the times. One more thing. NZ rugby hierarchy think they are the big cheese. Take a more humble approach guys. You do not seem to have your players best interests at heart.
4 Go to commentsBeaches? In Cardiff? Where?
1 Go to commentsHe is right , the Crusaders will be a threat. Scott Barrett, ( particularly), Fergus Burke , Codie Taylor, ( from sabbatical) etc due back soon for the Crusaders. There are others like Zach Gallagher too. People can right the Crusaders off, Top 8 , here we come !!
1 Go to commentsWe will always struggle for money to match the other sides but the least the WRU can do is invest properly in Welsh rugby. Too much has been squandered on vanity projects like the hotel and roof walk amongst others which will never see a massive return. Hanging the 4 pro sides out to dry over the last decade is now coming back to bite the WRU financially as well as on the pitch. You reap what you sow.
1 Go to commentsWhat do you get if you cross a doctor with a fish? A plastic sturgeon
14 Go to commentsWhat happened to feleti Kaitu’u? Hasnt played in a while right?
1 Go to comments