- Video
-
Club Roar
Captured a great grassroots sporting moment? We want to see it!Content Collections
The Roar Community
- Join
- Login
As we gear up for the first Test against France in Brisbane, with the squad named and starting line-up announced, I think it’s time for Roarers to put their reputations on the line and predict how the Wallabies will go this season.
Ewen McKenzie’s first crack at international coaching got off to a mediocre start against the All Blacks and Springboks, albeit with very little time to prepare after Deans’ swift exit.
However, the Wallabies found some rhythm up north and closed out the year with some excellent wins.
Can the team continue its good form from the back end of last year? Can they improve enough to overcome the mighty All Blacks and Springboks? Time will tell.
The most pleasing aspect of where we are now compared to recent history is that there hasn’t been any polarising selections in the squad or the match day 23. That has been a cause of angst and vitriol among Roarers and the wider rugby community alike in the past.
Sure, not everyone will be pleased with every selection, but there are no glaring omissions and we certainly can’t suggest that McKenzie is harbouring favourites. He’s been quick to demote his most trusted minions from the Reds based on poor form.
The schedule is also looking good, with breaks between Tests against the All Blacks and Springboks that will give the Wallabies much needed respite after some of their most gruelling matches.
In total, the Wallabies will hit the park on 15 occasions between now and the end of November. I’m going to stick my neck out and predict that we’ll win 11 of those, losing once each to France, New Zealand, South Africa and Ireland.
Yes, that means I think we will win two-thirds of the Bledisloe Tests this year and finally get the bloody thing back on our soil.
Roarers, what do you think?
Date Opposition Venue
7 Jun 2014 France Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
14 Jun 2014 France Etihad Stadium, Melbourne
21 Jun 2014 France Allianz Stadium, Sydney
16 Aug 2014 New Zealand ANZ Stadium, Sydney
23 Aug 2014 New Zealand Eden Park, Auckland
6 Sept 2014 South Africa Patersons Stadium, Perth
13 Sept 2014 Argentina Skilled Park, Gold Coast
27 Sept 2014 South Africa Newlands, Cape Town
4 Oct 2014 Argentina Estadio Malvinas Argentinas, Rosario
18 Oct 2014 New Zealand Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
1 Nov 2014 Barbarians Twickenham, London
8 Nov 2014 Wales Millenium Stadium, Cardiff
15 Nov 2014 France Stade de France, Paris
22 Nov 2014 Ireland Aviva Stadium, Dublin
29 Nov 2014 England Twickenham, London
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.