For maybe the first time in my life, I’m thankful for the Wallabies losing.
Don’t get me wrong, I want Australia to topple every opponent they come across in 2015. But the Wallabies’ sketchy form in recent years has laid the foundation for a team with the most depth we’ve seen in over a decade.
The vast player experimentation that the Wallabies have undergone in recent years – 35 players have made their debut since the 2011 World Cup – has produced, for maybe the first time, two or three sets of competitive starting XVs.
Injuries and lack of form have both played a role in this, with the national side scraping as low as third choice players on a number of occasions.
Michael Hooper, Nick Phipps, Bernard Foley and Sean McMahon all found themselves in Wallabies jerseys off the back of other players’ injuries. Most then went on to solidify their place in the side, grasping their opportunities with both hands.
Off-field controversies also played their part in the reshuffling of players.
The ‘Dublin 6′ saga, Kurtley Beale and James O’Connor’s social antics and the Di Patston drama all tarnished the reputation of Australian rugby and led to new players entering the international scene.
At the time, these injuries and controversies badly hurt the Wallabies’ depth and the ARU’s public image. The injury woes had a large impact on Australia’s results, while player suspensions and absences did nothing to help get wins on the board.
But now it’s all coming together.
The depth Camp Wallaby has seen this year is startling. Virtually every position across the park has two players hotly contesting for a starting spot. Some have three players, or some have even more than that. Look no further than the extreme depth found in the Wallaby wings.
Joe Tomane, Drew Mitchell, Rob Horne, Henry Speight, Taqele Naiyaravoro, Adam Ashley-Cooper and Nick Cummins are all very much in contention for a position on the wing. Throw in utilities such as Kurtley Beale or players on the fringe like James O’Connor and the depth grows. Some even argue Israel Folau should start on the wing.
Many of these players, as well as many others across the park, received their first cap in the absence of an injured or overseas player.
The depth in numbers drives internal competition, pushing players to new levels in the chase for a starting position. It also gives coach Michael Cheika a powerful arsenal to choose from if injuries, poor form or varying oppositions call for a change.
If Saturday night’s win over South Africa is anything to go by, this depth is a game changer for the Wallabies, in more way than one. Phipps came on at half-time and played his heart out. It was the best performance I’ve seen from Phipps in his career.
Matt Toomua arguably won the game for the Aussies. His energy across the field and straightening of the line punctured a strong South African defence countless times. Greg Holmes and Scott Sio had an immediate influence on the scrum, and James Horwill played his best game for years in Wallaby colours too.
David Pocock was the biggest talking point, however, from a bench that undoubtedly won the Wallabies the game. His immediate influence at the breakdown and handy partnership with Hooper should have shown Cheika enough to see them both in the starting XV against Argentina.
The Wallabies’ bench played out of its skin, only going to show internal competition in the team is translating into results. In many ways they outplayed the starting XV. The reserves certainly highlighted how the 35 Wallabies to make their debut since the close of the 2011 World Cup have gelled with seasoned players to build a team with real, genuine depth.
Matt Giteau has returned from exile, Quade Cooper and Will Genia are back and forcing competition in the halves, Pocock has sorted his injuries and is back to his best, while Hooper makes Pocock work his hardest for the No.7 jersey that he had come to call his own.
After four years of turmoil, everything has fallen into place for the Wallabies with September looming. With the underdog tag pinned firmly to the Australian crest, it’s up to the team and Cheika to use this newfound depth and start winning matches. No one knows where it will take them.
Me?
I think it will win them the World Cup.
Loosey
Guest
I thought Lucy was a pretty funny comment, but 80% gave me a real chuckle. NH home advantage, refs and NZs world cup history. 50% is being generous.
Warwick Todd
Guest
Sheek, Horan, Eales and Kearns were hardly world renown entering the 1991 World Cup but they were after it. I suppose a similar thing may happen this year but our cattle look like they've crossed a few too many dry gullies.
Ralph
Guest
Don't try and get out of the favourites tag Sheek. Wallabies are a shoe in / dead certain thing.
Jokerman
Guest
You're welcome, Lucy. All Blacks hmm they are about 80% I feel they will win.
Connor33
Guest
Tales - someone on this site said that they were surprised that Australia had not had a warm up game before the SA game. And that we probably needed it. In hindsight, the fact that we didn't have a warm up makes the win all that more impressive. Perhaps had AU had the warm up, TK and Folau would have scored their bombed tries well before the last 10 minutes -- and added another 10-14 points to the tally, all things being equal. Trust me, I'm not getting excited but I think the team is in a much better mindset than it was last year. But really, have you seen a better try than the one that was first scored from a set play? If so, please let me know and I'll probably applaud it. The fact that this was done in Larkham's first game as the backline coach says a lot.
Connor33
Guest
Shame we did not see enough of Price. But I did jump on the Parra bandwagon during the 80s. Re Pocock, is it fair to say that we probably need to see a few more years to make a proper comparison. If Pocock can go uninjured this WC, perhaps we'll get to see how good he is
Connor33
Guest
Wozza - the article was looking at depth within the wallaby team relative to wallaby teams in the past.
Taylorman
Guest
Works both ways Connor, if they were that good, why were they 20- 7 behind with 10 to go. And don't suppose you've noticed that for 13 tests now oz has won five and scraped in all of those. Which of that stat says they will win five in a row minimum all of a sudden, against likely all the sides that have beaten them in that 13? Ok to be hopeful, but if you going to throw logic in as reasons they might win, perhaps provide some realistic balance, or the nature of things the way they are, someone else will.
Connor33
Guest
I don't think Justin or Suzy saw the first AU try, nor the passes from Phipps that set up the next two, nor the possession and territory stats. But, hey, I've got no problems with people making wise cracks about the team. I'd rather be gong into the WC with an underdog status than favorite written on the forehead.
Connor33
Guest
What's your top 3 Aussie tries, cs?
Not Bothered
Guest
Teams that have won the cup in the past have nothing to do with anything. The French side of 2011 was not a great side and yet they came within 2 points of winning the cup away from home, in NZ, to NZ and NZ were the best in the world at the time. So if France almost won it in 2011 then I think Aus can this year.
Not Bothered
Guest
Deans left Aus rugby when it was in a worse state but that does not make it his fault. Actually, to suggest its his fault is absurd imo.
Not Bothered
Guest
Oh yes, Deans is to blame for every other coaches failings since.
Not Bothered
Guest
Jeeez you talk nonsense. To blame Deans for what happened after his sacking is pathetic. To suggest they still havnt recpvered from his time coaching the team is almost comedy. I am constently surprised at the BS people convince themselves of in order to justify unreasonable bias.
pick & go..!!
Guest
Sheek - I think it was last week on Fox sports The Rugby Club that former AB captain Sean Fitzpatrick thought that in '91' they (NZ) were better man for man but the Wallabies were simply a better team. I know it's a couple of levels below World Cup standard but the same could be said about the 2014 super XV final. Crusaders were better man for man, but the Waratahs were a better team on the night & throughout the season. My belief is that world class players win you games, but it's a world class team that wins you championships.
Daveyboy
Guest
I can't believe the unrelenting negativity! This website must be populated by expat kiwis, poms and saffas. Come on guys, last weekend's game was far from perfect but it was our first hit-out. Were the ABs happy with theirs against the islanders - no!! Let's wait a couple of weeks until the team is more settled and we've seen some more runs on the board. If this is the response we get from a win, god help us when we lose - the negativity will be deafening. The fact is the Wallabies never threw in the towel. They showed the same spirit as the ABs normally do. Focus on that Anzac spirit you armchair critics!!
Loosey
Guest
Thanks for the vote of confidence Jokerman. How are the ABs chances now the ref can't be so easily influenced?
Loosey
Guest
Yes sir, sorry sir. Obviously the Springboks aren't that great of a side.
Loosey
Guest
We didn't like Deans because he said ridiculous things such as 'I fear we just made a rod for our own backs'. Good coach but couldn't put his patriotism aside.
Tycoch
Guest
50:50 win group! I like your optimism but... in reality probably 60:40 against beating England and only slight favorites to beat Wales. I suspect whoever wins England /Wales game will win pool, and that game will be very close Runner up in Pool will then, probably, face Boks and ABs. So in my view you have to win Pool