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'It's tracking okay': Wallabies 'not far off' after thrilling tour
While the Wallabies didn’t win as many Test matches as they would’ve liked or deserved to throughout their thrilling spring tour, the men in gold showed glimpses of their potential ahead of next year’s World Cup.
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The wounded Wallabies began their international season with a thrilling two-point win over England in Perth, having overcome the loss of Darcy Swain to a red card to win an epic clash against their rivals.
But Australia went on to lose six of their next eight Test matches, before heading to Europe to test themselves against some of the best teams in the world.
After winning their opening Test of the tour against Scotland at Murrayfield by one point – with flyhalf Blair Kinghorn missing a late penalty attempt – the Wallabies lost their next three matches.
It was undoubtedly an agonising series of games for Australian rugby fans, who woke up in the early hours of the morning and watched their team lose by three points or less in each Test.
Australia’s toughest defeat was arguably against World Cup hosts France in Paris, with the visitors having led until about 75 minutes in.
The Wallabies then lost their first ever Test against Italy the week after, before suffering a three point defeat to World No. 1 Ireland.
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But true to the character of the team, Australia saved their best performance of quite possibly the year for the final 20 minutes of their last match against Wales.
The Wallabies overcame a seemingly unconquerable 21-point deficit to stun the hosts at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium.
Speaking on The Platform earlier this week, Australian rugby legend Tim Horan said the team isn’t “far off” from matching it with the best.
“When you look at the way the Wallabies probably should’ve beaten France in Paris, a little bit unlucky in Dublin against Ireland. We’re getting close, we’re not far off but in some respects we are,” Horan said.
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“Think we just need to have a good look at especially the injuries that the Wallabies have had, they’ve used 50-plus players this year.
“Some key injuries. You look at Samu Kerevi, Quade Cooper, Rob Valetini in the last Test match, so some really big names that have been out.
“I think it’s a good time to test those younger players, try and create some depth 10 months out from a Rugby World Cup because you’re going to pick up some injuries through Super Rugby and there will be some key players out.
“At the moment the Wallabies (are) probably struggling a little bit to work out who’s their best number 15, who’s their best number 10, and a couple of other positions as well. But I think it’s tracking okay.”
The Wallabies had quite an impressive end-of-season tour when you consider how many key players were ruled out of Tests with injuries.
Star flanker Michael Hooper, halfback Nic White and centre Hunter Paisami were among the players deemed unavailable for the crunch clash against the Welsh.
Horan added that a “review” into “why all these injuries are happening” is needed at the Wallabies.
“One thing he probably does have to review is why all these injuries are happening to the Wallabies,” he said.
“Some of them are just unlucky, some of them are through contact, but three or four Achilles (injures), a couple of ACLs for key members.
“You probably just need to look at the review and go ‘okay how’s our strength and conditioning program? Why is this happening? Is it just unlucky?’
“Other teams are getting injuries as well but not as many as the Wallabies at the moment.”
Comments on RugbyPass
Lots of discussion points, Ben, but two glaring follies IMO: 1. Blackadder at 6. Has done nothing so far this season to justify his selection. Did you see him going backwards in contact at the weekend? Simply has not got the physical presence at 6: we need a Scott Barrett or a Finau (or wildcard Ah Kuoi), beasts who are big enough to play lock, like Frizzell. If Barret played at 6, Paddy could be joined at lock by Vai’i or one of the young giants we need to promote, like Darry or Lord (if he ever gets on the field). Blackadder best left to join the queue for 7. 2. Not even a mention for Christie? Ratima gets caught at crucial times at the back of the ruck when he hesitates on the pass. The only way he starts would be if Christie and TJ are injured.
1 Go to commentsWhat a dagg in more ways than one
5 Go to commentsRegroup come back next year but sack some of the coaching team and don't be like the ABs last minute sacking. If Crusaders don't do well ABs don't do well.
5 Go to commentsProctor Definitely inform again this year had a hell of a season last year and this year is looking even better. Still mixed feelings about Ioane tho.
4 Go to commentsDagg is still trying to get enough headlines to make himself relevant enough to get a job. The Crusaders went back to square one at all levels. Shelve this season and nail the next one.
5 Go to commentsHe was in such great form. Sad for him but only a short term injury and it will be great to see him back for the finals.
1 Go to commentsAfter their 5/0 start, I had the Crusaders to finish Top 4 only…they lost the plot in Perth but will reload and back themselves vs 4th placed Rebels…
5 Go to commentsBoth nations missed a great opportunity to book a game that would have had a lot of interest from around the world. I understand these games can’t be organised in 5 minutes but they should have found a way to make it happen. I don’t think Wales are ducking anyone but it’s a bad look haha.
3 Go to commentsIt will be fascinating to see the effect that Jo Yapp has. If they can compete with Canada and give BFs a run for their money that will be progress
1 Go to commentsFollowing his dream and putting in the work. Go well young fella!
3 Go to commentsPerhaps filling Twickenham is one of Mitchell’s KPIs. I doubt whether both September matches will be at Twickenham on consecutive weekends. I would take the BF one to a large provincial stadium so as not to give them the advantage and experience of playing at Twickenham before a large crowd prior to the RWC.
3 Go to commentsvery unfortunate for Kitshoff, but big opportunity potentially for Nché to prove he is genuinely the best loosehead in the world, rather than just a specialist finisher. Presuming that if Kitshoff is out, it will also give Steenekamp a chance to come into the 23? Or are others likely to be ahead of him?
1 Go to commentsA long held question in popular culture asks if art imitates life or does the latter influence the former? Over this 6 nations I can ask the same question of the media influencing the thoughts of its audience or vice versa. Nobody wants to see cricket scores in rugby, as a spectacle it is not sustainable. With so many articles about England’s procession and lack of competition it feeds the epicaricacy of many looking for an opportunity to pounce. England are not the first team to dominate nor does it happen only in rugby, think Federer, Nadal, Red Bull or Mercedes, Manchester Utd, Australia in tests and World Cups. Instead of celebrating the achievements why find reasons to falsify it pointing towards larger playing pool, professional for a longer period or mitigate with the lack of growth in other nations. Can we not enjoy it while it is here and know that it won’t last for ever, others coveting what England have will soon take the crown, ask the aforementioned?
6 Go to commentsShame he won’t turn out for the Netherlands now they’re improving. U20s are Euro champs and in the U20 Trophy this year. The senior sides gets better every year too.
3 Go to commentsWill rugbypass tv be showing these games?
1 Go to commentsWell where do you start, the fact that England have a professional domestic league and Ireland’s is fully amatuer, that they have fully seperated professional squads at Fifteens and Sevens (7’s thinly disguised as GB), and Ireland have fully pro Sevens squad who loan some players back to the Semi-Professional Fifteens squad (moved from amateur for only a year or so) for a few games at 6N & RWC’s. The Women’s games is a shambles, and is at risk of killing itself by pushing for professionalism when the market isn’t really there to support it outside one or two countnries..
6 Go to commentsWayne Smith's input didn't have as much impact on the last final as Davison's red card for Thompson. England were 14 points up and flying when that happened.
6 Go to commentsBilly's been playing consistently well for 2 - 3 seasons now and deserves a look in at the top level. Ioane and ALB are still first choice but there needs to be injury cover and succession. His partnership with Jordie gives him first dibs you'd think. Go the Hurricanes.
4 Go to commentsIt’s not up to Wales to support Georgian Rugby. That’s up to International Rugby and Georgia. I sympathise with Georgia’s decent attempt to create this fixture. But for Wales the proposed match up is just a potential stick to beat them with and a potential big psychological blow that young Welsh team doesn’t need. (I’m Irish BTW.)
3 Go to commentsCale certainly looks great in space, but as you say, he has struggled in contact. At 23 years old, turning 24 this year, he should be close to full physical maturity and yet there exists a considerable gap in the power and physicality required for international rugby. Weight doesn’t automatically equate to power and physicality either. Can he go from a player who’s being physically dominated in Super rugby to physically dominating in international rugby in 1 or 2 years? That’s a big ask but he may end up being a late bloomer.
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