Former captain Stirling Mortlock has changed his tune and reckons the Wallabies can challenge for Rugby World Cup glory after all.
Nine months after declaring Australia had “no chance” of winning back the Webb Ellis Cup this year following a “train-wreck” loss to Italy, Mortlock believes again.
A try-scoring hero of Australia’s shock 2003 World Cup semi-final triumph over New Zealand under Eddie Jones, Mortlock has seen similar progression from the Wallabies since the master coach returned for a second stint in January.
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While the Wallabies are none-from-four during Jones’ latest tenure, Mortlock isn’t ruling out emulating Australia’s swift reversal in fortunes of 20 years ago.
Back then, the Wallabies made the World Cup final four months after copping a 50-21 Bledisloe Cup hammering from the All Blacks, only to lose the showpiece to England in extra time.
“I have been a lot more positive and optimistic than a lot of other people that I’ve been speaking to in and around the game,” Mortlock told AAP on Tuesday.
Tate McDermott of Australia passes the ball during The Rugby Championship & Bledisloe Cup match between the New Zealand All Blacks and the Australia Wallabies at Forsyth Barr Stadium on August 05, 2023 in Dunedin, New Zealand. (Photo by Joe Allison/Getty Images)
“I have been to both the home matches that we’ve had and I’ve seen improvements from every Test match.
“Although we’ve lost all four, there’s certain aspects of our game where I’ve seen definitive improvements.”
Mortlock has been most impressed with Jones’ juggling of the twin challenges of trying to settle on the best 33-man World Cup squad while overhauling the Wallabies’ playing style.
“That involves making sure players get certain opportunities to show their wares at Test level, so they’ve been rotating through more players than you’d normally want,” he said.
“At the same time, they’ve been really trying to push the team through fundamental big changes to the way we’re playing the game.
“If you add those two together, they really are two conflicting focuses that don’t usually add up.
“For the team to be able to go through this – constantly changing your combinations – and still improve is huge. It’s massive.”
Mortlock believes the Wallabies were “pretty unlucky” not to have recorded their first win against the All Blacks in New Zealand in 22 years on Saturday, when they lost 23-20 in Dunedin.
He says the question remains whether Jones’ charges have enough to beat the heavyweights of the world in France.
“If it’s a fitness concern, there’s not that much time to remedy that,” he said.
“But I’m pretty strong on my view that firstly, we do have a relatively favourable draw. It’s not easy but it’s a good side of the draw.
“So that gives the Wallabies a good opportunity to get into the semis.
“In World Cups, it’s all about maximising your chances of taking momentum into the sudden-death matches, and that will certainly be the focus for the Wallabies.
“With Eddie at the helm, I’ve got no doubt that’s what they’ll be focusing on and then applying themselves 100 per cent on the sudden-death games.
“If you win two of those, you’re in the final and anything can happen.”
World Cup winning coach Steve Hansen agreed, in an interview with SENZ on Tuesday.
“The draw’s interesting, isn’t it? The top four sides in the world play each other in the quarter-final. And people have got to understand two of the best sides in the world could be gone by the quarter-final stage, which is really unique and probably not what you want but it’s the way the cards have fallen,” Hansen said.
“On the other side that gives lesser sides an opportunity and someone like Australia, if they get a good run and get some confidence, they could go all the way through and make the semi-final.
“Once you make the semi-final, you’re in the party. Anything can happen from there. England don’t look like they’re travelling that well, but who knows? Wales, I’d pretty much say the same. So it is open for Fiji to get out of their pool and Scotland, again, another side (who) could get out of the pool.”
Jones will name his World Cup squad on Thursday.
Cec
Roar Rookie
Again, it’s your own words posted above but not mine. You’re welcome.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Nah they’re your words. If you disagreed you wouldn’t repeat them. As for international window. How many missed out due to not being released by OS clubs vs players that play in Wales and were available? I’ll give you a tip. I already know the answer.
LBJ
Roar Rookie
Their comments, not mine. And outside the international window so unable to select international players. That those players have gone on to take starting spots is to their credit - and no doubt had something to do with how well they performed against Australia in that game... Don't you think?
LBJ
Roar Rookie
You are of course entitled to your own opinion, but to be honest You've pretty much made my case for me by continuing to be so condescending. Thanks.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
It's a rubbish comment. 12 out of 15 starters were chosen vs Ireland in this year's Six nations. 2 were injured, the 3rd was on the bench vs Aus.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Funny how this was a B-Team yet 7 of the 8 forwards started vs Ireland in this year's Six Nations. Also 5 of the 7 backs. So 3 different players in the starting 15 changes them from a B team to an A team? 2 of those 3 were in the 23 vs Ireland this year. Of the 3 starters from the Ireland game that didn't start vs Aus, 2 were injured and 1 was on the bench. On that basis I guess we'd say Rennie never got to select an A team...
Cec
Roar Rookie
I 100% disagree with all your comments too. Awesome :thumbup: I never said “ but that he was somehow magical and shouldn’t have been held accountable. But most of all that Aussies somehow needed him to show us how to be ‘real men’…just so condescending.” that is in fact you stating this nonsense. Deep down perhaps that’s how you truly feel? This comment of yours is tripe too “ It’s disappointing that Rennie fans seem to find it so necessary to run down Aussie rugby so constantly.” :thumbdown:
Cec
Roar Rookie
That was WB C team. Only 25 guys left out of 36, and it wasn’t until Donaldson was hooked at 54’ and our reserves came on did we start improving it was 34 v 13 at that stage. We then pile on 26pts unanswered from there, at 1pt per minute!
LBJ
Roar Rookie
I disagree with pretty much every sentence here. Not that Rennie was bad, he had my full support - but that he was somehow magical and shouldn't have been held accountable. But most of all that Aussies somehow needed him to show us how to be 'real men'...just so condescending. It's disappointing that Rennie fans seem to find it so necessary to run down Aussie rugby so constantly.
LBJ
Roar Rookie
Please note that was Wales B-Team. IMHO - That was Australias worst performance in a decade - far worse than Italy. Technically covered up by 5 minutes of good footy against Wales b- team's reserves.
LBJ
Roar Rookie
Its possible to cheer both scenarios is it not?
Cec
Roar Rookie
Tks Nick for bringing up that excerpt from SMH. It’s good points raised with TWAS & AJ. DR’s team had some serious mana through building a strong culture that enabled them to play so well vs #1 & #2 given the circumstances & those players often mentioned DRs team development. Ed in contrast still coaches from a fear perspective & that has negatively impacted some players who otherwise had excellent SRP seasons.
Fox
Roar Guru
Thaty did not field their top side TWAS and look what happened when the bench came on.
Tel
Roar Rookie
The Wallabies do not have enough depth to be realistic contenders in the coming World Cup - for marketing purposes people have to push the Wallabies chances but come the end it will between France, Ireland and New Zealand. Australia needs to expand it player pool and it can only do this by getting more people interested and playing in the lower levels and schools.
Billy Boy
Roar Rookie
I was quietly hopeful but after listening to the "Whitebait Redundancy" I am only hopeful. Think we'll get out of the Pool but any win from there is a bonus unless there is a jersey change
Andy J
Roar Rookie
Totally agree, but then they blindside the coach who was going somewhere. Jones is now allowed to choose anyone from around the world has double the number of overseas players and we are meant to believe he’s the messiah. Also everyone’s am axes at the first half on the weekend we played an allblacks b team that has never ever played together
The Late News
Roar Rookie
Manufique!
Nick Maguire
Roar Rookie
AJ, and the team finished that tour and beat Wales in the last game with only 25 fit players to choose from out of a squad of 36 on tour; "Last month, Rennie announced a squad of 36 players to tour Europe. Now, he only has 25 at his disposal. So dire is Australia’s predicament that the Wallabies do not have a single spare back on tour. All 10 will have to play this week — seven starters and three on the bench — assuming Rennie goes with a conventional split of five forwards and three backs on the pine. It leaves just two spare players in the entire touring party." - SMH. If you look back now on articles from the time that list the injuries that occured, plus OS players not playing it's just mind boggling.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Not so much forgotten as deliberately ignored
Doctordbx
Roar Rookie
I don't think anyone truly believes we're a true contender for this world cup. But that shouldn't stop us from trying.