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Early tip: Wallabies to win the World Cup

25th November, 2013
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England charge down a kick from Wallabies scrum half Will Genia leading to an England try at Twickenham Stadium. (AFP Photo/Adrian Dennis)
Roar Guru
25th November, 2013
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4000 Reads

There are moments in a rugby season where you are faced with no alternative but to change your perception, opinion or argument in regards to a particular player, coach or team.

This is when the wisest of us redirect our thoughts to the new evidence presented and it is sadly when the stubborn among us remain steadfast to old arguments and prejudices.

I’m going with the wiser option.

My change in viewpoints came this weekend in regards to several among the current wallaby set up.

It may have come earlier this year against Argentina, it may have come against Italy, it may have come against Ireland, but I am not one to jump on a bandwagon.

In saying that, short of waiting until next year’s Rugby Championship, I believe it is now time to face some realities.

With an obviously weakened side, against what could be described as very strong Scottish brethren, on a field suited to a Summer mud party, the Wallabies achieved something we have not for some time. We beat Scotland.

‘Big Deal,’ I hear.

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For reasons both external and internal this really was a big deal. It could have been a huge hiccup.

Recent history tells us it may well have been and ancient history tells us the same. After all, the Wallabies have only beaten Scotland twice for every game they’ve lost against them (18 wins to nine losses before this weekend).

This win has changed my view on the current squad of players. We now know a second string mid-field, and in reality a second string back-row, will still bring us an important victory against decent, if not strong, opposition.

The fact this was in unfavourable conditions is just gravy. In the past few years, this would not have been the case.

I am now of the opinion we have genuine Test match depth.

This win has also categorically changed my view on Ewen McKenzie.

I was not a fan of McKenzie’s appointment as Wallaby coach. I believed the ‘fairy floss’ style he brought through at the Reds was a style without any real Test rugby substance.

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Super Rugby is played without Test match intensity. In Super Rugby it is possible to go the entire season without having to play wet weather rugby. There are no European conditions to truly test a coaches worth.

I believed McKenzie’s appointment would see my beloved Wallabies fail miserably at the 2015 Rugby World Cup. I now believe I was wrong.

I have come to realise, despite modern trends to the contrary, having an expansive style as your stock game plan is the right way to go.

That is as long as you adapt when in a quagmire on a worm-infested pitch on a November night in Edinburgh.

McKenzie now knows when you play the big boys, or slightly weaker sides in unfavourable conditions, you have to be practical.

You also need the right players who can adapt to different situations. You can call this ‘playing what’s in front of you’ or whatever you like, but McKenzie is on board with it and this is pleasing.

I now believe, with two more years of development, McKenzie can win us the 2015 Rugby World Cup.

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He can do this by still playing attractive, expansive rugby. Well for the most part anyway. The tournament is going to be played in Europe after all, and the All Blacks and Springboks aren’t going to all of a sudden shrink down to the size of normal men.

He will need to be smart about it and I think he is.

I have also come to believe Israel Folau has had the single best rookie year of any Wallaby ever, both statistically and perceptually.

At fullback he has scored more tries in a calendar year than any other Wallaby before him.

In fact, if you compare him to other Wallaby fullbacks of the professional era, the numbers are compelling.

Leaving aside his amazing run metres, off-loads and tackle busts, Folau’s nine tries in his first 14 Tests are quite amazing.

By comparison, Kurtley Beale has only one more try, yet he has played 25 more Tests.

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Indeed Folau’s strike rate is much greater than both Matthew Burke and even the try-scoring machine Chris Latham.

Granted it’s early days yet, but what a player Folau is.

His vertical leap is sublime to the point that soon we will be referring to anyone that leaps well for the high ball in the same way we refer to batsman trying to emulate Bradman.

Get used to hearing the term ‘Folau-esque’ in the years to come.

Last but not least, I believe Quade Cooper has the mental fortitude to take the Wallabies to a new level.

He may not of course, but I’d still like to point out I never thought I’d ever say that last sentence. I take my hat off to him. The boy has become a man.

To all the naysayers, yes we have to do better in the Rugby Championship next year! But I am one fan at least who is now positive we will.

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Go the Wallabies!

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