Here’s a wacky thought that seemed far from likely back in June, and even as recently as mid-August: the Wallabies could very easily finish with a winning 2017 international season.
Back when the Wallabies struggled to get past Italy, and couldn’t get past Scotland in June, and that whole Sydney episode that I’m really working hard to forget about, the notion that the Wallabies could finish the year in the black was about as likely as a David Campese comeback.
But the Wallabies hard-fought, confidence-solidifying 37-20 win over Argentina in Mendoza means that for the first time this year, they’ve won more games than they’ve lost.
Heading into the third Bledisloe in Brisbane on October 21, the record stands at four wins, three losses, and the two draws against South Africa.
With games to come this year against New Zealand, Japan, Wales, England, and Scotland – the Barbarians game on October 28 is not a capped international, as far as I can tell – the opportunity is definitely there to finish the season in positive territory.
And what’s more, the way they’ve played since the Sydney Bledisloe, it would be a well-deserved finish to the season in which it feels like they’re really starting to make strides.
Though the scoreboard didn’t really reflect it at the time, once the Wallabies scored that first converted try after halftime, I didn’t really feel like they would lose from there. By that stage in the game, they were already well on top in terms of possession and territory, were certainly playing more rugby, and were asking more questions of the Argentinean defence than was being asked of their own.
(Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
That is, of course, and as is always the case with the Wallabies, not to suggest they were playing perfect rugby. But they looked comfortable leading 20-13 by this stage, with less than half an hour to play.
And by this stage, Bernard Foley had already missed two penalties and two conversions, but he converted his own try from in front to push the score out to 20-13, and didn’t miss another one from there, including converting Will Genia’s try ten minutes later from the right-hand tramlines, a notoriously weak area of kicking success for him.
On Foley, it amused me during the game that social media posters wanted him replaced for no other reason than the missed kicks by this stage. Much of the criticism of his kicking is too quick, or too harsh, or in this case, both. There’s no argument here that wasn’t hitting them well in the first half at all; some of those misses outright shanks off the tee.
He re-aligned the radar and finished well, and the missed kicks really shouldn’t overshadow what was a pretty solid game from the flyhalf, but I’m well aware there will be plenty of you who won’t share that view.
Regardless, the best part of this Wallabies win was that although Reece Hodge was a clear best-on-ground for mine, there was anywhere up to half a dozen players who weren’t that far behind him, including Tatafu Polota-Nau and Jack Dempsey. Perhaps the real measure of this Wallabies performance was that I thought it was one of Adam Coleman’s quieter games, and it was one of Israel Folau’s quieter games, too.
(AAP Image/Dave Hunt)
This isn’t a criticism of either player, but rather a relief that the Wallabies might be moving on from being over-reliant on a couple of key individuals. Michael Hooper had a typically strong game again, but Dempsey and Sean McMahon’s output meant that skipper’s game wasn’t such a standout. Again, this is very good thing.
Looking ahead, and though the Wallabies will be wanting to – and rightly thinking they can – win all five remaining Tests of 2017.
The third Bledisloe looms as the toughest of the five matches, but England at Twickenham wouldn’t be far behind it. Ditto, Scotland at Murrayfield. Look, they’re all going to be tough games!
But the Wallabies are playing with renewed confidence, and are even enjoying a little bit of selection stability, even the second row still feels like it’s a lottery held inside a revolving door.
Guys are putting their hands up, to the point where it’s no certainty that players like Rory Arnold, Kane Douglas, Sefanaia Naiavalu or even Quade Cooper will return at this stage. Lopeti Timani probably shouldn’t even make the Spring Tour on current form, never mind start in the backrow. Karmichael Hunt probably will return, but I think he’s a long way from being a certain starter now.
The attacking intent is there and very obvious, and even better, it’s bringing results. The Wallabies have scored 39 tries in 2017 to date, with 20 of them coming in the last five Tests; 25 if you throw in the last half an hour in Sydney as well.
A winning season is well within reach for this Wallabies group, and it’s up to them entirely if they want to achieve it from here.
But considering where they were back in June, it’s quite remarkable that I’m even toying with the idea.
David
Guest
Boy, that was a rude awakening
BOGGLES THE MIND
Guest
OZ will revert back to there correct position of 5th after the EOYT.Maybe 6th hopefully.
FunBus
Roar Rookie
What matters is the physical toll on the body. That comes about from the ferocity and frequency of the collisions and short recovery periods. The English season is tougher on those criteria than the SH season.
FunBus
Roar Rookie
Are you sure? They're five points behind England. I don't think you can make that up with one win, bearing in mind England will probably win their other two matches and Australia will be playing sides ranked below them. Could be wrong, but that sounds puzzling.
FunBus
Roar Rookie
Certainly not knocking Brits, Harry. He's a wonderfully exciting player and a great bloke as well by all accounts. Definitely been right at the heart of the growth of Saracens. Doesn't alter the fact George probably starts all the big games now, though. The other players you mention in the Aviva are certainly good (although not what you'd call stars), but aren't really inked in names on the starting sheet. Probably the best Bok in the Aviva is Louw, but even he is facing a challenge from Underhill who might be England's starting open side in the EOYT. I'd expect even marginal Bok players (particularly forwards) to be good acquisitions in a 12 club league.
FunBus
Roar Rookie
Whatever the reason, Tman, the bench is becoming an issue. Not in the backs where there is a bewildering array of options, but up front. Really, only Faumuina is a '23' forward lost to the NH; so you can't really blame us on that front.
Taylorman
Guest
If Oz beat England by 15 or more and dont lose any others they overtake England in second spot.
Taylorman
Guest
Davies on his current form would definitely make the Wallaby side, hands down. With his experience and had he been Australian all these years rather than Welsh hed be one of the first on the list. Davies is exactly what the Oz midfield is lacking, an experienced reliable, solid centre. Sure they have options but Davies would fit in ideally. Hed be selected until he dropped, or like AAC, moved on.
Taylorman
Guest
Yes the AB bench is becoming a weakness FB, because they keep coming off it to prop up northern clubs. Yet you only mention injuries? Isnt that odd. Are Cruden, Faumuina, Luatua injured?
Harry Jones
Expert
Brits has been Mr Saracen Saffas are incredible rugby imports for European teams Even a guy like Michael Rhodes or Vincent Koch (marginal Bok material) look great in Avivaland; and Stander or Strauss or Pienaar rule the Pro12
FunBus
Roar Rookie
'That pack (even carrying Plank Dreyer, and his 3 penalties) will all be on every Aviva management’s offer list, trying to find the next Schalk Brits or Schalk Burger etc.' Maybe so, but there are 12 Aviva clubs that need big squads. Neither Brits nor Burger are guaranteed starters for Saracens. 'But I think no NH team could’ve withstood the Marx-Kitshoff-Etzebeth-PSDT rhino charge as well as the ABs did.' It's certainly the best I've seen the Boks play for a while, and was a great game, but I'm not so sure about that. PSDT was almost humiliated when he played '6' at Twickenham last when Youngs dummied him twice. I thought Marx and Etzebeth were excellent, but not entirely sure they would have rolled over the Lions pack like you say. I think the ABs seriously missed Retallick and I have been convinced for a while that the AB bench tight five replacements are becoming a bit of a weakness, especially when they have injuries. Kitshoff was OK, but didn't see anything outstanding, although I rate him. If you're picking a composite side from the Lions last June and the Boks last Saturday I'd go with: Kitshoff (although McGrath runs him very close and I like Vunipola coming off the bench) Marx (George would have got the nod last June) Furlong Itoje Etzebeth Warburton O'Brien Faletau Murray Sexton Farrell Davies Daly Watson Williams The bench would have been dominated by Lions. That's 3 'Boklings' in the starting XV.
FunBus
Roar Rookie
Certainly seems strange that only beating Fiji, Italy and Argentina should see you climb up the standings. It's simply down to NH inactivity, I suppose. The WBs could go down again quite quickly after the EOYT (or, of course, stabilise their 3rd spot).
FunBus
Roar Rookie
'Yep, that cyclis an important one. I think players like Toomua will try to time his run back for 2019 — and will be happy making the squad.' Playing very well for Leicester at the moment.
FunBus
Roar Rookie
'Peaking too early in RWC cycles has been a curse for the 2nd best team for a number of years. Australia in 2010/11 Tri-Nations, Springboks in 2013. Englad in 2017?' Can't rule it out, Fionn. I think what makes it less likely is the age profile of the players and the youngsters coming through. There's huge competition for every place and that keeps players on their toes, with the youngsters likely to improve rather than stagnate. Australia didn't have that depth or competition in 2010/11. and the Boks had a different age profile in 2013 (yet still came close to knocking the ABs out in the RWC).
Harry Jones
Expert
My polite little Boklings are not a good Bok team, yet. We have sub-Test standard passengers at 9, 10, 13, 14, and 15. But rugby can be a brutal sport, and SA rediscovered how effective blunt force trauma rugby can be on Sat. That pack (even carrying Plank Dreyer, and his 3 penalties) will all be on every Aviva management's offer list, trying to find the next Schalk Brits or Schalk Burger etc. Just one day. Not consistent enough. And Elton-Ross cannot even tie Sexton-Murray's bootlaces yet. But I think no NH team could've withstood the Marx-Kitshoff-Etzebeth-PSDT rhino charge as well as the ABs did.
Taylorman
Guest
They didnt lose any points by playing the ABs, they only stand to gain them so dont know how that makes a difference. Their ranking is being effected by losing to those ranked lower, or by other sides beating others ranked higher. The fact that the Wallabies are third right now with all their losses, issues lately is actually quite surreal to be honest, noting though that 3,4 and 5 are so close they may as well be joint third.
FunBus
Roar Rookie
'...suddenly they are cock of the walk...' Spot-on as always, Jake. Let's run through those outrageously arrogant comments from England. 'NZ are the best side in the world' 'We don't yet have one player that would make a world XV'. 'We're striving to be number 1 but we've got a long way to go to achieve that.' Such hubris. I think they should take a leaf out of the Aussie's book of humility. You know, like that Fox Promo before the June 2016 test series.
FunBus
Roar Rookie
'Hell, If the Lions had played the young little Boklings in Cape Town last Saturday, they would have got a real hiding.' It's great to see you rediscover your huge confidence in the Boks, Harry. I thought you were going to require counselling last year. Just to get your juices flowing even more. Lions 3-0 winners if they'd toured SA.
Taylorman
Guest
Without him youd have lost to SA as well.
Taylorman
Guest
I really dont like those who come on here and put current Wallabies down, its just not on....oh wait ?