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The Wallabies had the worst possible start to the 2016 season. Starting with the Super Rugby season, and then losing to England 3-0 at home.
However, as they always do they have managed to salvage the season to a certain extent at this point.
There is no chance of winning the Rugby Championship and rightly so. The best the Wallabies could hope would be to finish second on the table.
But the rest of the year will determine the success of 2016 and most importantly a clear indication to the Wallabies and the rest of the rugby world as to where they stand in the food chain.
It starts with Bledisloe 3, followed by the Spring Tour
But it’s more than just that, because I’m going to confidently assume that they will beat the Pumas and the Boks at home. And then it’s game on!
The Wallabies are two games away from playing the most significant and important game of 2016; playing the rampaging All Blacks side at fortress Eden Park.
But why is this the most important game considering the Wallabies have played them twice this year and lost twice?
The loss to England was bad but this is an entirely different proposition.
The Wallabies will have plenty of opportunities to avenge the whitewash starting this November. But an opportunity to play the All Blacks with all that’s riding on this game won’t come very often.
This is why:
On top of all this, this relatively new All Blacks team has sent a statement to the rest of the world with their performances on-field so far.
They have set the standard to new heights. Heights which no one else can reach any time soon. The word invincible comes to mind.
Now whether the All Blacks admit it or not, this will be a pressure game for them.
The Wallabies last halted their winning streak. It also doesn’t help that the Wallabies are one of the very few teams who does have the game plan to beat the All Blacks if executed perfectly, the others being South Africa and England to a lesser extent. Ireland were close a few years ago in a freak result. Wales aren’t there yet.
It’s a next to impossible task for nearly every other nation.
The effect the Wallabies will have if they win this game will be more valuable to them than the All Blacks will have if they win, especially heading into Nov in a bid for a Northern Hemisphere Grand Slam.
But if the Wallabies do pull off an upset win, I fear the All Blacks’ Northern opponents will face a fierce back lash up.
To the Wallabies game plan, then.
Considering what has unfolded so far and what’s at stake, the Wallabies must select a team that gives them the best chance to win this single game. The future is a problem for another day. The one and only priority is to win this game by whatever means necessary.
My thoughts on the best team to win this game against the All Blacks: (Injuries and total loss of form in the last two games not considered)
1. S. Sio
2. S. Moore (To be replaced very early in the second half)
3. S. Kepu
4. A. Coleman
5. R. Simmons
6. S. Fardy (Line out will be sorted so Fardy for more break down work)
7. M. Hooper
8. D. Pocock
9. W. Genia
10. Q. Cooper
11. R. Hodge
12. B. Foley
13. S. Kervi
14. D. Haylett-Petty
15. I. Folau
16. T. Polota-Nau
17. J. Slipper
18. A. Ala’alatoa
19. R. Arnold
20. L. Timani (Although I suspect D. Mumm will be in for him or S. Fardy)
21. S. McMahon
22. N. Phipps
23. T. Kuridrani
Now to the Spring Tour. Irrelevant of the result in Bledisloe 3, the Tour should be about giving themselves a chance at attempting a Grand Slam and also preparing for 2017. But beating England is a must.
My thoughts on the best team for the tour:
1. S. Sio
2. S. Moore (To be replaced very early in the second half)
3. S. Kepu
4. A. Coleman
5. R. Simmons
6. L. Timani (Needs overall game time to see how he fits into the picture in 2017)
7. M. Hooper
8. D. Pocock
9. W. Genia
10. Q. Cooper
11. H. Speight
12. R. Hodge (Long term 12, needs game time in the specific position)
13. S. Kervi
14. D. Haylett-Petty
15. I. Folau
16. T. Polota-Nau
17. J. Slipper
18. A. Ala’alatoa
19. R. Arnold
20. S. McMahon (To be brought in early in the second half, will be playing a prominent role in 2017)
21. N. Phipps (Back up for Genia and for a lack of a better option)
22. B. Foley (Back up as fly half and Inside Center)
23. T. Kuridrani (Needs to fight Kervi for the 13 Jersey while offering cover on the wing)
I admit that currently the A. Coleman’s partner is not a standout since the Wallabies actually have a few options there for once, not world class but options nonetheless.
The locking combination and the reserve lock is not very clear cut but other than that the rest is pretty straight forward I think unless I’ve missed a trick.
After the conclusion of 2016 Michael Cheika should have a pretty good idea as into what his main framework of his team will look like in 2017 unless a few players who haven’t been mentioned here over perform in Super Rugby or some of the mentioned players badly underperforms in the same.
The point is that Cheika would have a good platform to start off the 2017 season unlike 2016.
And finally to wrap this up, here’s a bit of wishful thinking all Wallaby fans can use.
Yes we had a disastrous start to the year, but with the remaining fixtures the rugby gods have offered the Wallabies a shot at redemption and more than that.
Just imagine if the Wallabies beat the All Blacks in Bledisloe 3 and win a Grand Slam later on, it will leave the Wallabies with just five losses; two to the All Blacks, and three to England. They will be ranked No. 2 in the world, and would thoroughly deserve it.
The opportunity is there, the Wallabies just need to go get it.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.