'We can genuinely win the Rugby World Cup': Wallabies fans reflect on 2022
Not everything went the Wallabies’ way in 2022, but it hasn’t stopped Australian rugby fans from daring to dream almost nine months out from the World Cup.
The Wallabies showed plenty of promise and character throughout a tough 2022 season, which saw them lose a number of thrilling Tests by agonizing margins.
Australia began their international campaign with a thrilling two-point win over England in Perth, before losing their next two Tests against their traditional rivals in Brisbane and Sydney.
Those two losses were the beginning of an unwanted streak for the men in gold, who lost six of their next eight Test matches before heading to Europe.
While the Wallabies were out of form, they certainly weren’t out of the fight, having shown glimpses of their potential in a win over South Africa and a controversial loss to the All Blacks in Melbourne.
But pressure was beginning to mount on coach Dave Rennie and the playing group a year out from the World Cup in France.
After beating Scotland by one-point at Murrayfield, the Wallabies lost their next three Test by three points or less – including a first ever loss to Italy.
While they silenced some of their critics with a stunning comeback win over Wales in Cardiff last weekend, Australia still finished their end-of-season tour with two wins from five matches.
But let’s not forget that this was a team who had to overcome some tough odds after many key players were struck down with injuries.
While the Wallabies would’ve wanted to win more Test matches this year, they will still able to convince some of their fans that they’re capable of going far at next year’s World Cup.
Reflecting on the @wallabies season. We had the opportunity to beat every team we played which makes me think: If we have good luck with injuries, keep @LordLaurie58 involved, and get on a roll at the right time, we can genuinely win the @rugbyworldcup.
— Ben Alexander (@benny_alexander) November 27, 2022
Agreed. I think there was some huge overreacting following the Italy loss. They were in absolutely every game they played on the spring tour. Very competitive side. Agree with you mate.
— Brent Ford (@BrentFord26) November 27, 2022
Prep needs to start now within the SR sides. Going into camp in June needing to get up to international standard in not a good starting place.
But agree the team is better than results indicate, and a return of players like Kerevi, Koriabete and Cooper will only add to it— Conor Tierney (@ConorTee) November 27, 2022
This RWC is really going to be interesting, as a south African, I’m truly excited to see what the aussies are gonna do, great team they are building
— chadley (@ChadleyWilliam2) November 28, 2022
Some very bad losses as well eg NZ, SA and argentina. Hot and cold still a problem. Some very poor discipline and inability to cover key injuries eg quade and kerevi.
Full strength squad with key overseas players plus iron discipline will take us far in RWC. If not, we bomb out.— big mac (@bigmac_ak) November 27, 2022
I agree. And given their draw and run to the final, there is a genuine chance.
— observantfox (@observantfox1) November 27, 2022
Never a truer word said Benny A. This was a ripper tour, the notebook is full. Our Aus A team beat Wales in Wales. The dress rehearsal complete!! Time to fire up and bank some more work! We are def a late finals chance at Le RWC
— 💉💉Dave Oliver (@daveoliver81) November 27, 2022
Wallabies never give up attitude is huge.
— HB (@HBeelie) November 27, 2022
💯 our pool will get the cobwebs out… hopefully the injury curse ends
— Ash Carolan (@AshCarolan1) November 27, 2022
The Wallabies really seemed to turn a corner in their Test of the season, having come back from 21 points down to beat Wales in a dramatic clash at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium.
Rising star Mark Nawaqanitawase scored two tries in 10 minutes to give the visitors a glimmer of hope, before replacement hooker Lachlan Lonergan crossed for the match winner with less than two minutes to play.
Speaking to the media after the Test, and as reported earlier this week, coach Dave Rennie said the team “could have been going home with five victories or no victories” after a tough tour.
“It’s good for our group. We lost three on the bounce by close scores and all games we could have won,” Rennie said.
“Our supporters have been put through the ringer with us, so it’s nice to get a result.”
Comments on RugbyPass
The World Cup has to be the gold standard, line in the sand. 113 teams compete for what is the opportunity to make the pool stages, and then the knockout games for the trophy. The concept is sound. This must have been the rationale when the World Cup was created, surely? But I’m all for Looking forward and finding new ways for the SH to dominate the NH into the future. The autumn series needs a change up. Let’s start by having the NH teams come south every odd year for the Autumn/Spring series games?
1 Go to commentsWhat’ll happen when the AI models of the future go back in time and try to destroy the AI models of the past standing in their way of certain victory?
41 Go to commentsThanks, Nick. We (Seanny Maloney, Brett and I) just discussed Charlie as a potential Wallaby No 8, and wondered if he has truly realised how big he is in contact (and whether he can add 5 kg w/o slowing down). Your scouting report confirms our suspicions he has the materiel. No one knows if he has the mentality (as Johann van Graan said this week about CJ, Duane and Alfie B) to carry 10-15 times a game.
57 Go to commentsHe would be a great player for the Stormers, Dobbo should approach the guy.
3 Go to commentsGood article. A few years back when he was playing for the Cheetahs, he was a quiet standout for exactly the seasons stated here. I occasionally get to see his games in the UK, and he has become a more complete player and in many ways like an Irish player. His work ethic is so suitable to the Leinster game. I wonder if Rassie would have him listed somewhere.
3 Go to commentsResults probably skewed by the fact that a few clubs have foreign fly halves in their 30s, but most teams have young English scrum halves. Results also likely to be skewed by the fact that many teams rely on centres and fullbacks to provide depth at 10, whereas they will need to stock a large number of specialist backup 9s.
1 Go to commentsI really get the sense that when all is said and done, the path of least resistance will end up being a merger of Wasps & Worcester that essentially kills the Worcester Warriors brand and sees Wasps permanently playing at Sixways. I’m not saying that’s what should happen or what I want to happen. I just think it’s the easiest rout to take and therefore, will be what happens. Wasps will definitely return to play first, and I suppose it all depends on if they can find support at Sixways. If people turn up and support Wasps in that community, at that ground, I bet they drop the Sevenoaks plan and just remain at Sixways. Under the radar but not totally unrelated, it looks as though London Irish are going to be brought back from the dead by a German consortium and look set to return, likely to the remade Championship. It’s set to have 12 clubs next season with 14 in 2025/26, what do you want to bet those extra 2 are Wasps and London Irish?
2 Go to commentsThe shoulder is a “joint” with multiple bones. You don’t “fracture” a shoulder, you fracture any one or more of the bones that make up a shoulder.
2 Go to commentsOh dear, bones too suspect to continue?
2 Go to commentsBold headline considering the Canes and Blues are 1 and 2 and the Brumbies were soundly beaten by the Chiefs and Blues. Biggest surprise is Rebels 4 Crusaders 12 - no one saw that coming. If Aus are improving that’s great 👍
1 Go to commentsAnna, You are right, we need to have patience whilst the others catch up to England and France. Also it is the PWR that has been the game changer for England. the RFU put money into that initially at the expense of the Red Roses. I was sceptical at first but it has paid off in spades.
1 Go to commentsI think Matt Proctor became a 1 test AB in the same fixture. Cameron is quality and has been great this season, can’t believe’s he only 27. Realistically how would he not be selected for ABs squad this year. Only Dmac is ahead of him as a specialist 10. With Jordan out, it will come down to where and when Beauden Barrett slots back in, and where they want to play Ruben Love. Cameron seems an absolute lock in for the wider squad though. Added benefit of TJ-Cameron-Jordie combination at 9, 10, 11 too.
1 Go to commentsFarcical, to what end would someone want to pay to keep this thing going.
1 Go to commentsHavili, our best 12 by a mile, will be in the squad, if he stays fit. JB is the most overrated AB in the last 50 years.
61 Go to commentsWe had during the week twilight footy, twilight cricket, tw golf plus there was the athletics club. Then the weekend was rugby 15s plus the net ball, really busy club scene back then but so much has changed and rugby has suffered. And it was all about changing lifestyles.
6 Go to commentsIn the 70s and 80s my club ran 5 Senior sides plus a Vets. Now it is 2 sides with an occasional 3rd team. Players have difficulty getting to training now, not sure why and the commitment is not there. It seems to me more a problem of people applying themselves and not expecting to turn up and play whenever they want to.
6 Go to commentsROG’s contract is until 2027. The conversation about a successor to Galthie after RWC 2027 may be starting now. We can infer that Galthie’s reign stops then. He is throwing the Irish Coaching Job angle in because he is Irish. The next Irish coach MUST be Leo Cullen. As well as being the best coach available, coaching the vast majority of Irish Internationals week in week out, he has shown incredible skill at recruiting the best coaching staff for the job in hand. That was a failing in France. Cullen is a shrewd guy and if there is a need for foreign coaches underneath him he won’t hesitate. Rightly so. Ireland does need to start to bring Irish coaches through. Not just at the professional level but we need to train coaches to man new pathways for developing kids from schools/clubs up through the divisions.
8 Go to commentsNo Islam says it must rule where it stands Thus it is to be deleted from this planet Earth
19 Go to commentsThis team probably does not beat the ABs sadly Not sure if BPA will be available given his signing for Force but has to enter consideration. Very strong possibility of getting schooled by the AB props. Advantage AB. Rodda/Skelton would be a tasty locking combination - would love to see how they get on. Advantage Wallabies. Backrow a risk of getting out hustled and outmuscled by ABs. Will be interesting to see if the Blues feast on the Reds this weekend the way they did the Brumbies we are in big trouble at the breakdown. Great energy, running and defence but goalkicking/general kicking/passing quality in the halves bothers me enormously. SA may have won the World Cup for a lot of the tournament without a recognised goalkicker but Pollard in the final made a difference IMO. Injuries and retirements leave AB stocks a bit lighter but still stronger. 12 and 13 ABs shade it (Barret > Paisami, Ione = Ikitau, arguably) Interesting clash of styles on the wings - Corey Toole running around Caleb Clark and Caleb running over the top of Toole. Reece vs Koro probably the reverse. Pretty even IMO. 15s Kelleway = Love See advantage to ABs man for man, but we are not obviously getting slaughtered anywhere which makes a nice change. Think talent wise we are pretty even and if our cohesion and teamwork is better than the ABs then its just about doable.
11 Go to commentsCompletely agree. More friday night games would be a hit. RFU to make sure every club has a floodlit pitch. Club opens again Saturday to welcome touch / tag. Minis and youths on Sunday
6 Go to comments