The June Internationals have come and gone and the Southern Hemisphere’s ‘big three’ nations are regrouping and preparing for the Rugby Championship after the conclusion of Super Rugby.
Australia, New Zealand and South Africa have faced their challenges. In particular, the Wallabies have a point to prove considering recent years.
The Wallabies have now won seven games in a row under Ewen Mckenzie and are looking much more like the sort of team that is going to reignite interest among fans.
France are either a team in transition or one in shambles, it’s kind of hard to tell. This Test series did show however that Australia could adapt in Melbourne to a strategy set to kill off attacking rugby and find a way to win.
Brisbane and Sydney were over by halftime as contests but it was clear that in these matches the Wallabies were able to physically overwhelm France a lot earlier and efficiently at the breakdown.
Will Skelton and Sam Carter are two players with immense talent who debuted in this series and really gives Australia much needed physical presence in the middle of the park. These two players are just one example of Links willingness to give new players a shot on the international stage when there are calls that its ahead of time.
McKenzie inherited a side that was completely devoid of any attacking nous and looked completely uninterested in the game plan they were set. Since taking over and having the honeymoon from hell, he has established depth, cohesion and unity within this playing group and it seems that the camp is much happier with the how things are being run.
In his last 10 matches in charge we have seen Australia play running rugby, which the fans love. Melbourne may have been a minor setback, however I believe this also showcases that our tight five and back-row can adapt to a trench style game if needed and still come away with the result.
Australia has scored 39 tries in these 10 matches, where as they only managed 23 from 23 games from the start of 2012.
On the other hand, with so many players available in key positions, particularly in the backline, one has to wonder what Link is planning on doing when Will Genia’s ankle heals and Quade Cooper stops taking selfies from New York.
I will say that Bernard Foley has surprised me with his form this year, for both the Waratahs and Wallabies. Though he doesn’t possess Cooper’s talent, I think it’ll be a good thing he gets his chance to play against the All Blacks and Springboks.
Even as an avid Sharks and Reds supporter, I honestly think the Waratahs are in pole position to claim their maiden Super Rugby title in 2014. With Israel Folau and Adam Ashley-Cooper in scintillating form and Kurtley Beale providing x-factor off the bench, it makes sense to keep Foley for the Championship.
For Australian Rugby to be successful, there needs to be success at the national level. Australia don’t have the money nor the commercial supremacy that both Aussie Rules and rugby league hold.
I think the NRC is another great venture and if it is successful this time around, it allows further exposure to up and coming players and in adding another level to the rugby system in Australia. This in turn allows the fan-base for the game to grow and provide much needed revenue for the ARU.
While I am not certain Australia will regain the Rugby Championship and the Bledisloe, I’m certainly feeling more optimistic in 2014 than in years past however.
Folau, Michael Hooper and Matt Toomua are the three players that give the Wallabies a world-class feel. With the right approach and mindset, this year might be the dawning of a new era in Australian Rugby.
The Bush
Roar Guru
He has two very sick brothers and a father with cancer (I think) - he is one of 7 kids so finances are tight. Good on the bloke for putting family first.
RobC
Roar Guru
Good post CS. Boks 2013 seemed to evolve further to adapt to AB improvements. Will be curious to see what they come up with this year. WB should start a new era. My concern is as you mentioned our form vs NH teams may give the impression we're making inroads to ABs. Looking forward to Bledisloe 1
DougRedsfan1
Guest
That was about the 8th Boks loss in a row to the Wallabies want it? And South Africa is high & mighty because they have won 3 in a row.. As for the QF- SA lost get over it.
DougRedsfan1
Guest
That was about the 8th Boks loss in a row to the Wallabies want it? And South Africa is high & might because they Hanover won 3 in a row.
Jerry
Guest
That draw stopped them getting 17.
Mike
Guest
Correct, Hansen has won 5 out of 6 games against Wallabies, but never lost a match against them. The draw at Suncorp by Wallabies under Deans stopped the ABs getting 18 wins in a row. Now the ABs are again facing Australia in an Away game for their 18th win in a row. Same ABs coach, different Wallabies coach. Can the Wallabies stop the streak again? Will the Lithuanians continue to chortle into their vodka?
Jerry
Guest
Yep.
Old Bugger
Guest
HJ Nothing wrong with the rationale but unless my memory lets me down again (old timers ya kno'), one minor stat that seems to be overlooked - has the WB's ever defeated the AB's since Hansen took the reins?? If its no, then I guess Hansen knows how to win also.
SandBox
Roar Guru
I really hope WBs fans aren't going to judge our progress on the BC, or even the RC. ABs and Boks are very strong right now. If we can win at home and beat Pumas twice I will see us as improving. Winning more than that will be a serious bonus imho Deans had six years. Long enough. Move on. Nothing to see here
SandBox
Roar Guru
Secret training camp, or sipping wine at 'Camp Stellenbosch'? I do, however, agree that we had a soft RC, except for the final. ABs fielded a full strength team
Jackster
Guest
Agree with BB...nz may have fielded a top side but all eyes/brains/hearts/hopes were focussed on getting through to their home RWC uninjured.
bigbaz
Guest
A new era doesn't necessarily mean a winning one, it could be a losing one, whatever, it will be Links' era no matter what.
Mike
Guest
Is it a new era for articles like this one? ;)
bigbaz
Roar Guru
The Wallabies bear the best SA were willing to puny up in both the tri and WC. Suck it up.
Jerry
Guest
It wasn't that secret surely?
not reall sure if I should be sarcastic back or just rather enlighten you. We played a second string team as the others were at a secret training camp, read up on it. As for the QF, enough has been said about that
Jerry
Guest
SA perhaps, but NZ played full strength sides against Aus.
bigbaz
Roar Guru
And I imagine SA didn't care about the WC 1/4 as well.
Bazza Allblack Supporter
Roar Rookie
+10000 Only one piece of silverware we remember from that year....
Harry Jones
Guest
Rationale: Link has created a Bledisloe squad. OZ has the kind of plan and style that can bother NZ. But I don't see any change in OZ vis-a-vis SA. So, more of the same. Meyer knows how to beat Link; his problem is NZ... Great RC coming up.