Injuries have played a big part in shaping Australia’s 2012 Test season, and they are doing the same for their European opponents.
France, England, Wales are missing several first-choice players as the autumn internationals gear up, along with Ireland and South Africa.
It seems as though apart from the world champion All Blacks, who have more quality than any other nation and are without just Richard Kahui and Anthony Boric for this tour, the spectre of injury is not only haunting the Wallabies.
France will be without their skipper and influential forward Thierry Dusautoir, who is a big loss, and flanker Wenceslas Lauret. There are unsettled in the halves, with scrum-half Morgan Parra struggling with a thigh injury, and also will miss hooker Christoper Tolofua with suspension.
Key prop Adam Jones won’t be suiting up for Wales, along with Ryan Jones, Jonathan Davies and Dan Lydiate. The Welsh also have some form concerns – number nine Mike Phillips has been benched, while fly-half Ryan Priestland and captain Sam Warburton are out of sorts.
Then there are the Poms, a team in transition and with plenty of casualties – Dylan Hartley, Courtney Lawes, Rob Webber, Ben Foden, Alex Corbisero and Jonathan Joseph. Hartley and Foden will be particularly missed, along with winger Chris Ashton who should only be out for the Fiji Test after some dangerous tackles.
All of these injuries and absences to their rivals should hearten the Wallabies, a team that knows a thing or two about blooding new players and bringing in new faces.
Australia may have somewhat of an excuse not to dominate on its European tour over the next few weeks when it is without the likes of James Horwill, Will Genia, James O’Connor and Quade Cooper, but for me this would be a cop-out.
The new-look and youngish Wallabies have shown in the past few Tests that have the talent and desire to match it with the best, that they have the spirit and toughness required to get the job done.
At this stage they look a young, battle-hardened and improving team that has some unearthed some real finds, like Michael Hooper, Ben Tapuai, Sitelaki Timani and Kane Douglas. They have some momentum and confidence to draw on.
The same cannot be said for France, England and Wales.
France remain rugby’s great unpredictables, and in recent times Australian sides have had their measure. England are always strong at Twickenham but their team still has big issues, a new coach instilled, untried players coming in and they have yet to develop a modern, attacking style of rugby.
The Wallabies haven’t lost to Wales in a long time and have a good record in Cardiff. Italy are a different kettle of fish – they can be tough at home but with improvement in the Wallaby scrum, Italy’s best weapon, the Azzurri shouldn’t present too many problems.
Another point in the Wallabies favour is the return of several stars, like David Pocock and Steven Moore. The Australian team is largely settled, compared to some of their rivals, and is coming off a good performance against the best in the world.
So there are many positives for the Wallabies to draw on.
Injury is simply a constant foe of modern rugby. Nations need to learn to adjust to it and adapt accordingly.
Hopefully the Wallabies have learnt this lesson and embraced it in 2012.
The northern hemisphere teams are vulnerable themselves but have already written off the Wallabies chances. In reality, three out of four wins should be the minimum for Australia on this European sojourn.
Anything less would be a failure.
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.
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