A Wallabies Test win over England at Twickenham this weekend would be the only way to top Kurtley Beale’s beer-and-budgie-smugglers pic with Prince William.
As far as tour tales go, it’s hard to beat. Getting cosy with royalty in the sheds after showing too much class for Wales in Cardiff was top-tier cheekiness from Beale.
Fittingly, it was the stripped-down Beale who had earlier stripped rookie winger Steff Evans of the ball to score a runaway second-half try that sucked much of the life out of the Welsh comeback.
Beale has been a central figure for the Wallabies over the past three months as they clawed back respectability and then knocked down the All Blacks.
About 9pm on August 19 this year in Sydney, Australian rugby was in a deep hole. New Zealand humiliated the Wallabies in the opening Bledisloe Cup clash. It was 54-6 early in the second half, the All Blacks were running rampant with eight tries in 45 minutes.
The Super Rugby axe was hovering over the Melbourne Rebels and Western Force. Rugby Australia’s big bosses were largely despised as the governing body told us they were bleeding money.
The Wallabies had lost to Scotland in June – also in Sydney – either side of unconvincing Test wins over Fiji and Italy, while Australia’s best performing Super Rugby team were barely better than the worst Kiwi side.
When the Wallabies run out against the Eddie Jones’ England on Saturday, 90 days will have elapsed since the Sydney shame.
Few would have forecast the sizeable progress made by the Wallabies in that period. But for a freakish last-gasp Beauden Barrett try in Dunedin a week following the mauling, Australia would’ve exacted immediate revenge.
The base was set to win back the fans.
Draws with the Springboks at home and away gave credence to Michael Cheika’s call for calm as improvement was on its way. There were no hiccups against Argentina. Off the field, there were enough good news stories bubbling away to give reason for optimism in 2018.
Brad Thorn’s appointment as Queensland coach was uplifting for Reds fans as well as Aussie rugby fans intrigued by his ability to foster success. Dave Wessels moved from the Force to the Rebels and despite being just 35, he’s already highly regarded. Dan McKellar was also announced as the man to take the reins at the Brumbies as Australia’s coaching ranks went through a fair upheaval.
(Photo by Steve Christo – Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images)
Rugby Australia chief executive Bill Pulver revealed that he was to move on. That enthused some who were particularly aggressive in blaming him for the Super Rugby restructure.
A crowd of 20,000 packed North Sydney Oval for the Shute Shield final. The NRC wasn’t attracting bumper crowds, but the quality of the rugby was generally excellent. Even the sight of Maurice Longbottom’s hot-stepping runs in his first few tournaments for the Australian Sevens sparked interest.
And then the Wallabies did just about the unthinkable. They beat the All Blacks.
Of course it was a dead rubber. Of course the Kiwis were missing Barrett and Brodie Retallick. But it was a rare triumph over the imperious All Blacks nonetheless. And it was a victory notable for the physicality from Wallabies youngsters like Jack Dempsey and Lukhan Tui.
Wins over Japan and Wales over the last fortnight have heightened anticipation for the clash with England, especially with Jones steering a top-level side whose 18-match winning streak was ended only a few Tests ago.
Australia have lost their last five at Twickenham, but it feels like Australia’s best chance in a while. England played their first Test in almost five months last weekend and were unconvincing against Argentina.
A loss to England won’t erase the solid gains made since mid-August, but a win will give impetus to a code that was flailing before inching back to relative health. Now, the Wallabies have a chance to ensure Australian rugby enters 2018 with a bit of swagger.
And there’s a lot to be positive about heading into next year.
The build-up to the next World Cup in Japan in 2019 goes up a notch. David Pocock will be back. Beale will be back at the Waratahs. Will Genia returns for a fresh start at the Rebels. Israel Folau will be rested, married and raring to go. The progress of Dempsey and Tui will be fascinating to watch.
A young hooker – Tolu Latu, Andrew Ready or Jordan Uelese – will be aiming to step up as the first-choice No.2 in the country with Tatafu Polota-Nau heading overseas.
The hypothesis that Australia’s rugby talent pool – and commercial status – can only accommodate four teams will be tested. That alone is an interesting sub-plot, especially with the backdrop of Twiggy Forrest’s plan to start his Indo Pacific Rugby Championship.
Plenty will be puffing their chests out if the Wallabies win in London. And with good reason given where they were 90 days ago.
Ozinsa
Guest
Have Australia lost their last 5 at Twickenham? If we’re talking England we lost last year but beat them the year before in the RWC. If we’re talking matches at Twickenham regardless of opponent, we beat Argentina there last year in one of the only two games we played there. Either way I don’t think the stat is right. We’ve lost 4 on the bounce against England with one at Twickenham which is the closest I get to validating your stat Will.
Ruckin' Oaf
Guest
I dunno I think that they are finally managing to structure a team around his weaknesses
FunBus
Roar Rookie
Not saying they can’t be used, just that they’re not primary options. In particular, I can’t see Hughes or Robshaw putting any pressure on WB ball. Personally, I’d have gone with Lawes at ‘6’ - the lineout worries me.
Kirky
Roar Rookie
Just try easing up a tad' the Wallabies have beaten no team International of any consequence - the All Blacks 5th team of scrubbers only in a dead rubber, Japan, those little guys who everyone beats as the norm, Wales, by a stripped ball by a scavenger in Beale who did not much else and that's their lot, nothing to write home about with Wales in particular should have won that game as the Wallabies were pretty ordinary and a bit of luck for the Boyos' they would be singing rather than the typical Aussies' who were very ordinary indeed! - This weekend sees a change of quality in the Poms', but they are not World beaters and nor are the Skippys' so expect to see two very ordinary International teams kicking goals for a win! - Even though the Australians are no great shakes, I expect them to luck the game out in their favour as the Poms are of around the same calbre and I doubt they could win!!
Peter
Guest
I never feel any confidence backing the Wallabies when, as nearly always, it comes down to goal-kicking. Always heart in mouth.
Samuel Honywill
Roar Pro
IMO it's telling that Joseph's become less of an attacking threat playing outside Farrell for England. Not that Farrell is poor or anything, but just don't think it's a complementary partnership, at least in attack. JJ's best form for England has come outside a bigger ball runner in Burrell, or for Bath outside Eastmond, who wasn't a big carrier but made metres on the gainline regularly through his footwork and acceleration through a half-gap. He needs someone to create space for him really, which England, who haven't got enough big carriers in the side at the moment, are struggling to do - England's attack has been a little too lateral this year. Would like to see him outside Te'o or Tuilagi at some point for England but if Farrell's the man at 12 for the WC then I don't see JJ in the best starting XV.
Samuel Honywill
Roar Pro
Not sure where you've got that from, Hughes jumps pretty regularly for Wasps and takes some lineout ball for England too. He's not a primary target but he's a decent secondary one, shown by the fact that he's even filled in at lock for Wasps at times. Robshaw also jumps and has turned himself into a solid secondary option.
Fionn
Guest
Believe me, mate, I very much wish your theory was factual :) . Folau decided to take the Spring Tour off for some R&R so he is fresh and ready to go in 2018 and 2019.
JimmyB
Guest
'Nick Bishop predicts an Australia win.' What do you expect, he's Welsh?! ;)
JimmyB
Guest
Nah, I agree with Will, let's pretend it never happened.
JimmyB
Guest
I think you mean Slade and btw, Joseph isn't big.
DavSA
Guest
Sorry mate . Did not confirm prior to posting . Thanks for correction. Its normally the habit of Bakkies to spoil my good theories with facts.
Fionn
Guest
Lol Folau ain't playing, Dav. So it'll have to be doubly England!
DavSA
Guest
Well done Wallabies. They are not just playing winning rugby ATM but pretty good to watch stuff too. As a Bok man I am a touch envious. England however are going to be a very tough task. Great forward pack , although the Wallabies pack coped with a really good Bok pack in both encounters this season . Just coped but did , so I do not expect England to overwhelm them here. England have tons of confidence on their side and Eddie Jones will exploit all available weaknesses in The Aussies make up . Same time Australia will again look to Genia and Folau for a bit of magic. This is not a match to be missed . Nick Bishop predicts an Australia win . Sorry guys but I am saying England.
Timbo (L)
Roar Guru
False Dawn. As one of the top 4 ranked teams in the world the wallabies have beaten a few teams that they should have beaten . Beat a full strength Ireland, England, Scotland or NZ and you will have my attention. I predict that the same losing pattern will continue for as long as we continue the failed Cheikaball Experiment and return to a full figured game plan that respects skill diversity by using an agile game plan with attacking variety and defensive flexibility..
Timbo (L)
Roar Guru
The analogy is rats leaving a sinking ship or not being prepared to bathe in someone else filth.
Ed
Guest
We've lost our last two matches at Twickenham.
Rugbyfan101
Guest
Just quietly, australia have lost their last 1 at twickenham. The one before that was a certain RWC pool game...
Mike
Guest
I'll be watching, but my concern rests with Hanigan whom the Poms will swat like an annoying fly!
John R
Roar Guru
Kerevi was subbed in the 53rd minute.