No Wallabies side has achieved the Grand Slam (defeating the four home nations – England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales – on the same tour) since 1984, but the current side could achieve a World Cup Grand Slam.
They only need a few likely results to fall into place for it to become a reality.
Firstly and obviously, the Wallabies need to defeat an injured Wales this weekend. Then they need Scotland to defeat Samoa, which looks likely on current form considering both teams’ results against Japan.
If the Wallabies then defeat Scotland in the quarter-final – and they would be favourites to do so – they would then need Ireland to make the semi-finals. Barring the men in green’s way is France this weekend and, if they win that, Argentina in the quarter-finals.
Based on Ireland’s recent Six Nations success and their ranking before the World Cup began (as high as second) they would be favourites to win both, although some commentators have been critical of their form this tournament.
A Wallabies victory over Ireland in the semi would win them the Grand Slam for the first time in more than 30 years.
Some may call this too optimistic, futuristic or even fantastic, and of course there are always upsets, but each one of these results is also highly possible. So I’m allowing myself to dream, particularly given the quality of Wallabies’ win over England.
Unlikely you may say, but if it does happen, remember you read it here first!
Stray Gator
Roar Rookie
Thank you, Nostradamus.
Tycoch22
Guest
All of this is very interesting but rather academic. The Wallabies will only be playing 2 more matches in this RWC: Wales and then South Africa. After that they will be spectators or on a plane home.
Derm
Roar Guru
You underestimate France and Argentina as opposition.
Frontrow
Guest
As a Kiwi I think every side bar Scotland is threat to each other in the knockout stages but with SA and NZ on the other side it makes life harder for whoever ends up on that side finishing second in the other groups...
Taylorman
Guest
In the most recent matches Ireland have gone closer to beating the ABs than France, though both have been dealt to severely since 2011 as well. NZ are likely to win both, I just think the preference is to play France, and the win is more likely because of the motivation that match would provide over a match with the Irish, where you are saying past results are more likely to repeat here. I don't believe that is any stronger an argument for which match is more winnable. At least my argument deals with the current sides. Yours doesn't. 'Culture' doesn't win tests, players do. Anyway, it's splitting hairs.,they're fairly even and either will be tough. The Italy match didn't look good for Ireland who looked strong against weaker sides. They won't last long if they play like that. France? ...are France...what more can you say...?
Mike Julz
Guest
Yeah you probably right. I would argue though that it was a different situation back then. The WBs were playing the ABs at their fortress, and Cheika making a lot of unnecessary changes to the team, especially by picking Cooper. But I think Cheks should learn from that loss and can get the job done against a team missing some of their best players. But lets wait and see. Should be a great match.
Morsie
Guest
Haven't be been burned enough by hubris over the years. Isn't the lesson of England talking themselves up just a week ago clear enough for us. I was in New Zealand when the cricket was on this year and they'd just beaten us and all the talk then was about how they were going to win the cricket and rugby world cups. FFS, one game at a time...........
The Sheriff
Guest
Let's not get ahead of ourselves, Tim. Something I had not thought of, though.
p55mac
Guest
Remember when the wallabies beat NZ one week, and well, what happened the next... The Wales game will not be an easy and nor should the result be considered a foregone conclusion.
PeterK
Roar Guru
sure in terms of the actual players. However the culture seems to be that France lifts more at the rwc than Ireland. Perhaps it is the logistics that France have more time together for the RWC or the french see games outside the RWC more as friendlies, I don't know. What I believe though the french reach a higher ceiling at their best than the irish and to beat NZ you have to be there so France have more chance.
PeterK
Roar Guru
Mike you have misread what I wrote. Makes no different who the AB fanboys want them to play to the odds of them winning. I do not think France will beat NZ. NZ will be the favourite. However out if France or Ireland France have more chance than Ireland to beat NZ. Say 25% v 5%. Who the majority of fans want them to play makes no difference to that.
pjm
Roar Rookie
Are you a baby boomer Peterk because you're whinging like one.
Dave_S
Guest
"Ireland have never beaten NZ, France has including twice in RWC’s. That history says France has a greater chance than Ireland of beating NZ in the RWC" No it doesn't. Each of those those games involved players different to the ones playing now. It may be historically accurate, but it has little relevance to predicting the future.
Mike Julz
Guest
The way the Wallabies are playing right now after last weeks performance, they should beat Wales. But then again you might be right.
Mike Julz
Guest
Yup I was one of those who would relish the ABs to meet France in the QF. Of course history suggests that France will probably come out victorious at the end. But then you realise how far this AB side has come to since the last World Cup. Since 2012 they have managed only 3 losses. How many times they have manage to close it out in the last 10 minutes?!. The new guns that they introduced since 2012 have gone on to become game changers and best players in the world. The likes of Aaron Smith, Ben Smith, Julian Savea, Retallick, Coles, Barrett, Perenara etc. These guys if they show up on the day like they use to, ABs will be hard to beat. No doubt France will show up, but I think the ABs will prevail at the end. They'll probably have to play their get-out-of-jail card again but, I am confident they will win.
Wyn
Guest
Absolutely agree Rollaway, all we need to worry about right now is Wales. The following weekend we worry about ?? Hopefully there is another weekend to worry about someone else and so on ... It would be nice in the end though to have played all 4 because that would mean that we went far and the French knocked the AB's out again after losing to Ireland and bouncing back the next week ;)
Connor Bennett
Editor
Come on guys let the man dream!! I'm behind you Tim. Yeah so what they aren't all at home and of course there's a thousand if's and maybe's but it's something fun to get around for Wallaby fans and ads a bit of excitement to every match
Rollaway7
Roar Guru
The Aussie in me really hates it when this happens and it happens every year, after a good game everyone start getting ahead of them selves and we end up extra disappointed. I have heard everything from the All Balcks can get any sleep, grand slams, Cheika the messiah and overwhelming favourites. The RWC only really starts in a weeks time.
John Wagner
Guest
Let us not get too far ahead of ourselves!! For such a scenario to even be considered, we MUST firstly beat Wales ----- which will be no easy task, --- and Wales are due for a win over Aust. All of their recent defeats at the hands of Aust. have been by very small margins !
PeterK
Roar Guru
just because most kiwis would relish playing the french more does not mean a NZ win is more likely. Ireland have never beaten NZ, France has including twice in RWC's. That history says France has a greater chance than Ireland of beating NZ in the RWC. Never said it was a big chance. France are more inconsistent in their performances than Ireland. However the upper range of france is higher than ireland (as is it's lower range). France at its top can beat NZ , Ireland at its best has less chance even then may not be able to.