The game against England was awesome, clinical and at the same time entertaining. The game against Wales was an exceptional, no-holds barred and death-defying performance. It seemed that if the Wallabies had to jump off a cliff to win, they would.
More than a year ago, before Michael Cheika was asked by Australian rugby officials to take the underperforming Wallabies by the throat and dragged it to the World Cup, the Wallabies were no- hopers waiting to play second fiddle or worse.
They were set to be present in the United Kingdom to form the numbers with the minnows for the tournament.
Well, after that spectacular performance against England and the stellar performance against Wales, it’s game on for the World Cup.
It’s about time there was a change of guards on the international rugby landscape. It’s time to move the centre across the Tasman ditch from Kiwi-land.
Cheika said the players must believe in themselves. Well, in just two weeks Australia dares to hope in this very believable Wallabies team.
You could see a palpable difference in the mindset of the Cheika-moulded Wallabies team compared to the one before that: a quiet determination, a sense of urgency and a killer instinct.
A third World Cup victory is within reach. And the All Blacks, with so many retiring players trying to win back-to-back World Cups, are known to choke when it matters most.
I’ll be damned if this team hasn’t got the wherewithals to win the World Cup this time around.
amband
Guest
I think you are forgetting we turned over too much ball against Wales, and saw us without possession for considerable time. Turn over is STILL a major problem, and you can't win without the ball Wales may have won if they'd chosen to take penalty kicks
ScotandProud
Guest
Not enough strength in depth yet.
ScotandProud
Guest
I want them to do well but.. Giteau's at the end of his run. Foley hasn't set things on fire yet, good player though he's turned out to be, Adam Ashley cooper is still getting picked for want of a better player who can actually pass, Kuridirani has yet to be above a workmanlike player who does his job well, Horne's selection is not the sign of a great side, Genia is nowhere near his old form, Drew Mitchell is just okay and coming to the end , front row is strong , back row is strong, Scotland will just be a speed bump. If the wallabies win the world cup it will still be as underdogs. I hope they do. I'd rather Argentina won it: which is just about conceivable but if it has to go back to a previous winner then I'd prefer Australia.
Taylorman
Guest
Yeah I just cannot understand why there's this kind of talk at this point in a World Cup. Imagine the Wallabies reading this or the waive of euphoria that followed the Wales game. If there's any reason to feel over confident or complacent, reading the ROAR would certainly do it! The second a side starts believing it's own press...
Taylorman
Guest
Haven't seen them myself. Sure you're not getting confused with Ciprianis comments...or pethaps...making it up? Perhaps out of frustration?
Frontrow
Guest
This not yet a Golden Age - win the Bledisloe and the WC first and back to back Rugby Championships and next time with a full complement of game and a less favorable draw unlike this years farce where the Wallabies only had to play SA and NZ at home Golden Age ? Lets not count our chickens before the hatch shall we
TC123
Roar Rookie
If a golden age starts with failing to score a try against Wales then hang on for the ride Wallaby fans
Eden
Guest
wallabies*
Eden
Guest
Thanks man, same goes to the darkness as a web supporter May the rugby gods shine brightly on us both
CA3ZAR
Roar Pro
I agree with some of these other people, let's not get carried away, it's only the quarterfinal but by all means let's celebrate the wallabies because they are showing some class and heart! Awesome article.
FrancisF
Roar Pro
And why not, may I ask?
RedsKing
Guest
This must be it! A new golden era, surely? Maybe? Please??? PLEASE??!?!? No.
Tiger
Guest
I know how you feel, same thing happens with the Mighty All Blacks! Wallaby fans can be so cruel. It hurts me in my heart, it really does.
Tiger
Guest
Let's not. Enjoy the rest of the tournament.
FrancisF
Roar Pro
But you asked why it took so long for the Wallabies to win the Bledisloe, 12-13years. The same analogy is made why it took the All Blacks 24 years to win the more prestigious World Cup the second time and the Wallabies took only 8 years. Let's revisit the contest for the Bledisloe Cup next year to finally settle the point whether this Cheika-moulded Wallabies is a flash in the pan or for real. Let's focus on the tournament at hand right now, the World Cup. Bledisloe Cup is very far away from Oz fans' mind at the moment. For that matter about Waratah's win or loss or Super Rugby. In fact both are irrelevant at the moment.
FrancisF
Roar Pro
Whatever is said about Cheika, by the rabid supporters of the All Blacks, including the excuse om the format of the 4 Nation contest that is not his choosing he nstill got the Wallabies to win the Rugby Championship. And add tomthat, he did bring the Waratah to win the Super Rugby a year before. And to top all that, he got the accolades from the international rugby community for the way the Wallabies outplayed England and Wales during this World Cup. So, to all of Cheika detractors, across the Tasman, eat your heart out. Get used to it.
Tiger
Guest
OMG! Really?! "So not to hurt the pride of the All Blacks and their supporters", "..he wanted to make a trial run of some of his options...", .." it took the All Blacks 24 years to win its second World Cup, while it took the Wallabies a mere 8 years to win its second World Cup and it almost won a third..." You are hilarious! I had to re-read your response after I finished laughing. Maybe I shouldn't have asked the question, but I'm glad I did. As an All Black supporter here's the reason why I think it took them 24 years to win their second World Cup - They got beaten by better teams. They weren't good enough on the day. They were over confident and arrogant. Can you tell me, when the Oz fans are sitting around across the Tasman ditch discussing why their beloved Wallabies have not won the BC in so long, have they ever considered my three reasons listed? With the "Brains trust" of Cheika and co the Wallabies may win their third World Cup. The stars could align again for France and this time they get to the top of the summit. The Boks might recapture their form of '09'. Argentina and Ireland might finally realize their potential and create history. Or, the AB's finally conquer all their demons and be the first team to win the World Cup back to back making them the first and only ones to do so. Imagine the AB's winning 2 WC in a mere 4 years, man that would right? Anything can happen from here on in, it's been a great World Cup so far. By your response I'll take it as a " no" you don't think the Wallabies have choked in BC encounters in the past decade+. Best of luck to the Wallabies. GO THE MIGHTY ALL BLACKS!
Pete
Guest
Oh and check the records against all other sides... I reckon I'd rather have the AB's record. As you say it's not a two team comp.
Pete
Guest
You seem to have a divine passage straight from Chieka's mind to your mouth. Unfortunately you seem to forget Chieka's Warratahs got picked to pieces in a game they should've won. His Four Nations succees came only due to the abbreviated format (are you sure they'd have the trophy if they'd had to play away games against the Boks and Ab's considering what happened at Eden Park?) The Wobblies are so much better don't get me wrong but we are yet to see if they are great. Depth has always been an issue with Wobbly rugby and this tournament has many tough games to come. Good luck to the Wobblies as an All Black fan it's always better to have a strong Aust team (rather than the sides we've put 40's and 50's on over the last decade).
rebel
Guest
True. I don't live in the past, the next match is what is relevant.