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2013 has been a woeful year for the Wallabies. The British and Irish Lions series had offered such hope, especially to the ARU as a result of the revenue it brought.
There was also added interest within Australia, with the third Test so delicately poised after squaring the series in the second Test at Melbourne.
Alas, the decisive third Test would prove a foreboding taste of Australia’s fortunes this year, as they were put to the sword losing 41-16.
With it came the departure of Robbie Deans and the arrival of Ewen McKenzie brought hope that pride could be brought back to the Wallaby shirt in this year’s Rugby Championship.
However, it has not been the case, as hope has been replaced with gloom and despair.
Australia was resoundingly outplayed twice by the All Blacks to lose the Bledisloe Cup before, being thumped by the South Africans in Brisbane.
The only bright spot for McKenzie was a narrow 14-13 victory over Argentina in Perth; a game the Pumas could have won if they showed more composure and belief in their backs.
However, that small ray of light could be extinguished by the grueling set of internationals remaining this year, something the ARU shouldn’t have planned.
The Wallabies have eight away international fixtures in the next ten weeks, of which five come on consecutive Saturdays during the end of year tests.
This Saturday the Wallabies play their penultimate game in the Rugby Championship, travelling to Newlands to face South Africa on Saturday.
It’ll be a tough match for Australia, as the Springboks have not lost at home since New Zealand beat them at Soccer City in October last year.
The following week in early October the Wallabies finish their Rugby Championship campaign in Rosario against Argentina, which will likely decide who will finish bottom.
It is an important game, with both sides eager to avoid ‘winning’ the wooden spoon. Argentina are seeking their first win in the Rugby Championship, while McKenzie will want to show his team are improving.
However, it is the remaining six fixtures of 2013 which will test McKenzie and be an indicator of where the Wallabies are.
Two weeks after facing the Pumas at the Estadio Gigante de Arroyito, the Australians travel to Dunedin for the dead rubber Bledisloe tie against the All Blacks on the 19th October.
Though the Kiwis have retained the Bledsdioe Cup, the Wallabies will want to make a good account of themselves and not replicate their display against New Zealand last month in Sydney.
Following the match at Dunedin, the Wallabies have a free weekend, but on the 2nd November they face the first of five back-to-back Saturday end of year Tests, against England at Twickenham.
The English are feeling confident at the moment after a satisfactory Six Nations, as well as a successful Lions – especially as one of their starting props, Alex Corbisiero, mauled the Wallabies’ scrum in the third Lions Test.
Their backline consist of strength in the form of Manu Tuilagi and accurate goal kicking in the form of fly half Owen Farrell.
England will be a stern opener for McKenzie’s men.
The following week Australia face Italy in Rome. Though the Wallabies would be deemed favourites and the Azzurri are the lowest ranked side (12th) of the five countries Australia face in November, they are a dangerous side and a team not to be taken lightly.
Their obvious strength is their pack, which can trouble the best of teams, especially when it comes to the scrum.
Moreover, Italy’s talismanic captain Sergio Parisse is a man whose talents in the Six Nations, as well as his domestic club Stade Francais, have made him the best No.8 in the northern hemisphere.
But it is in the backs where there is promise and where Australia has to be watchful.
Italy in recent years have unearthed two promising backs: 22 year old centre Tommaso Benvenuti, whose performances of late earned him a move to Top 14 side Perpignan in the summer, and 23 year old winger Giovanbattista Venditti, whose powerful strength can allow him to evade tackles and go beyond the gainline.
In addition, Italy is beginning to play a more expansive style under Jacques Brunel, shown in the Six Nations where they offloaded much more than they did prior to Brunel’s arrival after the 2011 World Cup.
On the 16th, Australia travel to Ireland, a game Australia has every right to believe they can win.
Ireland are coming off a disappointing Six Nations, which led to Declan Kidney departing as Ireland head coach.
In addition, ex-Lenister coach Joe Schmidt will be biting into international rugby for the first time.
The game against Australia is sandwiched between Schmidt’s first game as Ireland coach against an improving Samoa side before finishing their year against World Cup holders New Zealand.
On the 23rd, the Wallabies travel to Murrayfield to play Scotland. Though the Scots are the weakest of the four teams in the British Isles, they boast a potent team, notably in the backs where they have exciting players.
Their wingers, in the form of Tim Visser and Sean Maitland, can cause Australia trouble, while fullback Stuart Hogg is a wonderful talent whose speed when in space is devastating.
In addition, scrum half Greig Laidlaw can punish teams with his trusty boot, ever eager to keep the scoreboard ticking when given the chance.
To those who might write off the Scots’ chances should remember Australia’s surprise defeat at Murrayfield in 2009, after Matt Giteau’s injury time conversion miss.
Scotland also won against the Wallabies in June last year, playing in horrific conditions at Newcastle.
On the 30th the Wallabies end their gruelling year against Wales in Cardiff under the roof of a packed Millennium Stadium.
10 of the 15 who started in the third Lions Test in Sydney were Welsh and Warren Gatland’s men will be keen to inflict a terrible end to a season that has not brought much cheer to Wallaby fans.
Fingers must be pointed at the ARU over this grueling end of year Test schedule. Five back-to-back away matches will test any squad and though the ARU needs the revenue, it could cause burnout among players.
Though it is a good examination for the Wallabies, it will be tough and could put pressure on McKenzie if things do not turn out well.
Winning three games out of five (likely against Ireland, Scotland and Italy) will be considered a good end of year tour.
Anything less and the knives could be out.
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.