Ewen McKenzie says an Australian side winning the Super Rugby crown would be “as good as it gets” for the Wallabies’ Bledisloe Cup prospects.
The NSW Waratahs and Brumbies go head to head in a blockbuster semi-final at Allianz Stadium on Saturday night, with the winners likely to take on New Zealand superpowers the Crusaders in the August 2 championship decider.
The Wallabies tackle the All Blacks two weeks later in the Bledisloe Cup and Rugby Championship opener in Sydney.
“Form and confidence, they’re good attributes to have,” McKenzie said after announcing his 32-man Rugby Championship squad on Wednesday.
“If you’re out there beating your opponents and winning consistently – and that’s what these teams have been doing – and the Wallabies have been doing the same thing.
“That’s a good thing. That’s as good a scenario as you can take into a Bledisloe Cup contest.”
McKenzie, though, isn’t counting his chickens on either front.
In 2011, he coached the Queensland Reds to Super Rugby final glory over the Crusaders before the Wallabies, under Robbie Deans, beat the All Blacks to clinch the Tri Nations title, only to succumb to the Kiwis – yet again – at the Rugby World Cup.
“Talk’s cheap in the end. It’s really about action,” McKenzie said.
“We’re seeing good action at the moment. We’ve got some very competitive players out there who are doing good things week in, week out.
“You’ve got to get your tactics and selections right, but we’ve got the right ingredients to put on a pretty good show in the Bledisloe.”
While the signs are promising, the Bledisloe opener on August 16 at ANZ Stadium is still more than three weeks away and McKenzie challenged his potential charges – be they Waratahs, Brumbies or otherwise – to maintain the rage until then.
“Ultimately for the Wallabies to do well, we need fit players who are raring to go and who are playing to the peak of their powers,” he said.
“That’s what it’s about. You want to be picking players at their best.
“They need to be playing like Wallabies and I always say that to players. Even when they’re playing club rugby, they’ve got to play like Wallabies.
“Once you’re a Wallaby, you’re always a Wallaby. You can’t vary your standards.”
warrenexpatinnz
Roar Guru
I'm one eyed as well, certainly no pom pom waving Wallaby supporter but pleased with the changes in attitude, fitness and skill. Although France were average the lack of rust in the Wallaby first up display showed that Link had them mentally switched on and the combination play was exceptional.
niwdEyaJ
Roar Guru
I think the Wallabies are looking fairly strong this year - does that make me "one eyed"?
Guinness 58
Guest
Can not wait. Excited about the Bledisloe. Looking forward to a tough and very close match in Sydney. It is a long time coming for the wallabies to even look like a competitive team. I hope they can give my All Blacks a wee bit of a shake up. All Blacks and Crusaders supporter.
Nek Minnut
Guest
Yeah, it looks good so far but it all remains to be seen. You would have to be pretty "one eyed" to suggest that the Wallabies are looking fairly strong this year. France was very poor, lets not kid ourselves, they were ordinary but the Wallabies in Super Rugby really seem to be going well and thats a good sign. A few guys that would have been picked by default have legit comp for their spots.