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It’s that time of year again – not the one that means some Super Rugby teams will go a couple of months without a home game. It’s the time we get to turn to our fabulous Wallabies for a boost as a rugby public.
Last year we raced through June without a break, this year the endless hammering of Australian teams by New Zealand ones pauses for us to let the Wallabies restore our sense of pride.
Australia could do with a strong showing from the Wallabies in this three-Test grudge series.
I wrote last week about how the women’s game is coming on in leaps and bounds and has been a real focus of the ARU recently.
But while the women winning their first seven’s world series is a big deal, the Wallabies still lead the code in this country.
Without much to cheer for in Super Rugby we’re all waiting with bated breath for the Wallabies to open a can of whoop-ass on England.
There’s a great chance they will.
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Forgive me for this chest-beating, but only months ago the Wallabies played the World Cup final on England’s home pitch, in a tournament where England couldn’t progress from the group stage.
During an election, the news media have an interest in making sure the coverage depicts a close race, whether it is or not. The same is true for sports media, especially when it comes to England and Australia. The interest is high, so keep the stakes high by making it seem a 50-50 affair.
The truth is, I’d be disappointed if Australia didn’t beat England handily across this series. I don’t expect a flogging, but a solid win.
Yes, England have improved since their appalling result as World Cup hosts.
They grabbed the coach of that tournament for their own team (that is if you don’t think Michael Cheika gets the ‘coach of the tournament’ tag for getting the Wallabies into the final, with nine Tests to prepare). Eddie Jones is a strong upgrade over Stuart Lancaster, whose name I could barely remember, which wasn’t a good sign.
England then went on a rampaging run to a Six Nations victory. Winning all five games and scoring 13 tries was a huge boost to their confidence and a sign Jones has the team pulling in the same direction.
But look through the list of teams England vanquished: Scotland, Italy, Ireland, Wales and France.
How many of those five teams left in England’s wake were in last year’s World Cup semi-finals? Not one. The World Cup semi-final was an all-southern hemisphere event. So this series should be a step up for England compared to their Six Nations romp.
England have a poor record in Australia, with something like three Test wins here and no victories in Brisbane.
Jones has played up England’s underdog status, which is his right. But he also admits the team is only just finding its identity under his tutelage.
Last year the Wallabies were only just finding their identity and had to do so in a tumultuous World Cup year.
Now Cheika has had a full off-season to think about his team, and the majority of a Super Rugby season without the burden of coaching the Waratahs, to sum up what is on offer across the country.
Last year, Wallabies players spoke openly about Cheika changing things in the team culture and teaching them a new way of playing, level of focus and set of standards.
Year two of Cheika under those circumstances should see more benefits as the team becomes more secure in its identity, patterns and culture.
This isn’t to say England have no chance of winning – it could happen. I’m not excited about the Wallabies front row form, and that’s the door England need to kick down to break into this series. But this is the Wallabies’ series to lose.
Notching up a couple of strong victories would also put a bounce in the step of diehard fans struggling to grin during a tough year at provincial level.
Wallabies team for the first Test
Cheika keeping 33 is another good sign to me, I like that he doesn’t stick to formulas just for the sake of it.
However, one place he should stick with the tried and true is Israel Folau. There have been whispers about whether Folau might get a run at No.13 against England, but it’s best he is left at 15.
At the back, he can be the second-best fullback in the world. We know that. At outside centre, where he has about a dozen games under his belt, it’s not clear what his level will be in a Test match arena.
The coaching staff can be creative about using him in the front line on attack, but his base position should be fullback. It would be better to give him a run at No.13 if games become a blowout one way or another.
Here is the Wallabies team for the first Test that I hope Cheika picks. I am assuming the lack of experienced options at inside centre means Christian Lealiifano will be picked. In other places I’ve gone with safer options, rather than trying everyone out with new combinations.
The ideal will be to either get ahead in the series, or in matches, to give room for experimentation. But I’m a believer in treating every Wallabies Test as a must-win, rather than a place to tinker too much.
James Horwill will pick up his combination with his old Reds partner quickly. Dane Haylett-Petty has had a great year and will provide a stronger kicking option in the back three. Taqele Naiyaravoro provides some more bulk in the back line.
Two new faces down the end of the bench in the backs could do with Test experience and are versatile enough to keep tactical options open. And Sean McMahon absolutely deserves a shot at this level again after being a workhorse for the Rebels this year.
1. Scott Sio
2. Stephen Moore
3. Sekope Kepu
4. James Horwill
5. Rob Simmons
6. Scott Fardy
7. Michael Hooper
8. David Pocock
9. Nick Phipps
10. Bernard Foley
11. Dane Haylett-Petty
12. Christian Leali’ifano
13. Tevita Kuridrani
14. Taqele Naiyaravoro
15. Israel Folau
16.Tatafu Polota Nau
17. Greg Holmes
18. James Slipper
19. Sam Carter
20. Sean McMahon
21. Nick Frisby
22. Samu Kerevi
23. Karmichael Hunt
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.