Why the Wallabies are destined for Rugby World Cup glory on home soil

Do you believe in destiny?

If not, the Wallabies should be your reason to start.

Imagine what you’d feel and hear, the incredible sights you’d see, walking out of Sydney’s Accor Stadium after the Wallabies win the 2027 Men’s Rugby World Cup on home soil – completing the most remarkable and important comeback in the sport’s professional era.

Wallabies supporters will spill out of the modern-day sporting Colosseum in their thousands, all draped in gold, having dreamt the very same dream. Fans would jump between chants of “Aussie, Aussie, Aussie” as the nation comes together as one.

While that might still sound a bit fantastical or far-fetched to some, Joe Schmidt’s squad for the Spring Tour reinforces the idea that the Wallabies are heading in the right direction, with Carter Gordon a notable inclusion in the touring party.

They’ve got all the pieces of the puzzle needed to win the World Cup.

This is another milestone moment in the progression of Australian rugby’s golden era. Players once considered ‘the next big thing’ are realising their potential on the international stage, and they’re only going to get better.

Under Schmidt, the Wallabies have shown battle-hardened traits of grit, fight and passion, which are all qualities Australians love to get behind. It started with a last-gasp winner against the Flying Fijians in Newcastle, with captain Harry Wilson emerging as the hero that afternoon.

The Wallabies fell agonisingly short of a win against the British & Irish Lions in Melbourne before beating the best of the Home Nations in tough conditions the next week at Sydney’s Accor Stadium – the very venue that will host the World Cup decider.

After an unforgettable comeback win against two-time defending world champion Springboks at Johannesburg’s Emirates Airline Park, a valiant win over Los Pumas in Townsville, and one defeat to each of those opponents, the Wallabies charged into the Bledisloe.

While the All Blacks won both Tests, let’s not overlook the Wallabies’ efforts. They trailed by just two points with 10 to play at Eden Park, and showed signs of quality during the loss at Perth’s Optus Stadium earlier this month.

Tane Edmed started at 10 against the All Blacks in Perth, and the Brumbies-bound playmaker was fairly good to start the Test. Former Wallabies fly-half Quade Cooper later took to X, saying Edmed shouldn’t “be on a Test match pitch” before apologising.

With Gordon in the Wallabies’ plans once again, having been released from the final year of his deal with NRL side the Gold Coast Titans, the Wallabies are on a path to greatness. Two years out from the showpiece event, the Wallabies have already reemerged as a force.

If you go through the Wallabies’ potential best XV one by one, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to highlight any glaring weaknesses. The back-row of Rob Valetini, Fraser McReight and captain Wilson is world-class, and Exeter Chiefs recruit Tom Hooper is another proven option.

In the backs, the Wallabies are blessed with quality at scrum-half. Tate McDermott is currently out injured but would challenge for a starting role if fit, with Jake Gordon another leading contender to wear the No. 9.

Either way, the Wallabies can’t go wrong.

That remains true when you consider another option, Ryan Lonergan, who brings much-needed goal-kicking skills to the selection table. After debuting for the Wallabies during the TRC, the ACT Brumbies No. 9 has a couple of years to fight for a starting World Cup jersey.

Lonergan’s goal kicking could be a difference-maker when the selectors get together ahead of the World Cup. Carter Gordon is most likely to slot in at fly-half, but Rugby Australia’s latest recruit has had some issues off the kicking tee in the past.

Two years out from the World Cup, it seems incredibly obvious that Len Ikitau and Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii will line up in the centres. Ikitau is perhaps the Wallabies’ best player at the moment – standing out as an exceptional defender, and the glue to the backline.

There are no doubts about Suaalii’s place at outside centre, 12 months on from a big-money move to union. Suaalii enjoyed a promising campaign during The Rugby Championship – the code-hopper was especially impressive against Los Pumas.

Max Jorgensen will start at either wing or fullback, but the 21-year-old was arguably Australia’s best during the Lions Series on the edge. After two starts at fullback against the All Blacks, ‘Jorgo’ offers some versatility in the outside backs, but that’s Tom Wright’s jersey.

Wright ranked in the top 30 when the RugbyPass Top 100 was revealed last year. The fullback scored three tries against Wales during the 2024 Spring Tour, and enjoyed some highlight moments against the British & Irish Lions earlier this year.

On the other wing, Mark Nawaqanitawase will be back in Wallaby gold.

After leaving the NSW Waratahs, Nawaqanitawase helped Australia Sevens finish fourth at the Paris Olympics before switching to rugby league. Nawaqanitawase debuted for the Sydney Roosters last year before a breakout campaign in the NRL in 2025.

Nawaqanitawase finished as the competition’s top try-scorer, named in both the RLPA Dream Team of the Year and the Dally M Team of the Year. With news breaking last month that ‘Marky Mark’ is reportedly returning to rugby, more appearances in Wallaby gold seem certain.

This is a backline any team in the world would love to have.

Under Schmidt and soon incoming head coach Les Kiss, the Wallabies have another couple of years to hone their craft. With a sports-mad nation behind them, the Wallabies will be a genuine contender at their home Rugby World Cup.

761 days from now, we’ll know.

There’s every chance Wallabies fans are celebrating when the full-time whistle blows on November 13, 2027. Until then, Wallabies fans, dare to dream.