The conclusion of the Super Rugby season brings the beginning of this year’s Rugby Championship between Southern Hemisphere heavyweights Australia, Argentina, New Zealand and South Africa. Here’s how we think the Wallabies will fare in this year’s tournament.
Australia come into the Championship on the back of a successful Super 15 season with the NSW Waratahs defeating the Canterbury Crusaders two weeks ago in a pulsating final. The last Australian franchise to win the crown was the Queensland Reds back in 2011 and Australia went on to win the old Tri-Nations that year.
The Wallabies comprehensively defeated an out of sorts French team during the June tests and on the back of their successful Super Rugby season they could be considered the dark horses for this year’s tournament.
There is no doubting the depth of talent they have in their backline. Israel Folau is the best fullback in the world bar none. Matt Toomua (pictured below) is an extremely underrated player at inside centre and he has a fantastic footballing brain. He offers a different threat to the now common hard running centres that are dominating professional rugby at the moment. Don’t get me wrong, he can carry strongly when he wants but the converted fly-half also brings a clever kicking game to the 12 channel.
Will Genia is out but they have two very able replacements in form of Nic White and Nick Phibbs. The big surprise at out-half for the opening game is the selection of Kurtley Beale ahead of the in-form Bernard Foley. Foley was instrumental in Waratahs’ successful season, kicking the winning penalty in the Super Rugby Final. His omission is a bold move for coach Ewen McKenzie considering how little game time Beale has played at 10 this season.
I’m not sure it is the right move for the team because Beale has been known to be a little flaky, however, you can see why Mackenzie has made the call. Beale has a touch of magic in him and can unlock a defence with one piece of brilliance and against an incredibly mean All Blacks’ defence, he has the ability to be a match winner more so than the solid if less spectacular Foley. Just watch him nearly scoring this great try from nothing below.
They will not lose any games because of their backs; that much is certain. The problem may lie in a forward pack which could struggle against the power of South Africa and the likes, although it must be said they have developed a meaner streak in recent seasons.
Scrums have historically been a problem for the Wallabies and Ewen McKenzie will no doubt have sleepless nights wondering whether these issues have been fully resolved. Hooker Nathan Charles is inexperienced at this level but there’s no doubt he has the skill set to step up and deliver at this level. He needs to stamp his authority on the tournament with some big performances over the next few weeks.
New skipper Michael Hooper is one of the premier open sides in world rugby and he will have no fears about facing Richie McCaw or Francois Louw at the bottom of any ruck.
Ones to watch:
Although not starting this weekend, second row Will Skelton will have a big part to play in this year’s tournament. The 6ft 8in lock weighs in at a staggering 137 kg and he will have a huge impact when introduced at the weekend.
Obviously the outstanding Israel Folau is another to watch this year. The rugby league/union/AFL star is a rock at the back and he is probably the most dangerous attacking player in the world right now.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GMSpBFZVStU
How they will do?
As I said above, Australia are the side waiting in the long grass. New Zealand are obviously as strong as ever while 2013’s most improved team, South Africa, are also going to have a big say in the where the Rugby Championship trophy will end up.
I can’t help but feel this could be a good year for Australia. They may not win the trophy but I think they will be at least very close. A second place finish might be the realistic result for the Wallabies but a surprise triumph is not out of reach.
Did you know:
Nick Cummins will not feature this season for Australia having moved to Japan to play rugby in the Top League. JOE is very sad because we won’t get to see any of this from the Honey Badger this tournament.
Videos via DClarkeIndustries, Craaiig, and Graachi.
