Australia: State of the Nation

It’s six from six for the Wallabies, including emerging unscathed from the pool of death that caused England’s demise, so in a sense it’s already been a successful campaign.

But in a World Cup year, winning the Rugby Championship and then getting to the RWC Final does not yet make for an overall happy year. A stumble and fall at the final hurdle will bring heartache, since nothing less than victory over New Zealand at Twickenham on Saturday will allow the players to return home to Australia with joy in their hearts.

Israel Folau
Expected to be one of the superstars of RWC 2015, Folau has made far less impact than predicted. He is undoubtedly one of the world’s most prolific game-breakers, but form and injury problems haven’t helped. Is some thought being given to starting Kurtley Beale at 15 and playing Folau off the bench? Or do the Wallabies believe that if they are to win the Final, Folau’s role in the victory will probably need to be substantial?

Giteau, Mitchell, Ashley-Cooper
Near the top of the list of wise decisions taken by Michael Cheika has been to prevail on the Australian Rugby hierarchy to allow the recall of Matt Giteau and Drew Mitchell from France. Their experience at top level, primarily their ability to execute skills under pressure, to take judicious options with composure, and to wield positive influence on the less experienced players around them, has been a boon to this Wallaby campaign. Adam Ashley-Cooper has played a similar role.

Scott Fardy
Those who weren’t aware before the tournament of the extraordinary contribution of David Pocock and Michael Hooper to this Wallaby team, will certainly know now. But the unsung hero of the trio, Scott Fardy, is quietly carving out a reputation of his own. Questions as to whether the similarly outstanding Ben McCalman or Sean McMahon deserved an opportunity ahead of Fardy were laid to rest at Twickenham on Sunday when Fardy gave his best Test performance ever, making an exceptional contribution to the Wallaby win over Argentina.

Michael Cheika
Whatever is said about Australia’s head coach – that he is complex and different and difficult – there can be no doubting his coaching acumen, the wisdom of his selections, his success in getting the most formidable coaches as his assistants, and his ability to get the best out of teams. Thrown into the head coach role at short notice last October with Ewen McKenzie’s sudden resignation, he suffered three defeats in four games in November, but look at how his team has fared since then.

Scrum
Mario Ledesma’s scrum coaching – improving technique, cohesion, and mindset – paid dividends during the pool games, with a vastly improved Wallaby scrummaging performance, but Scotland and Argentina have made doubts resurface and referees have penalised the Wallaby props. Ledesma and his front row forwards are doubtless engaged in careful planning for the Final, but will have been encouraged by New Zealand’s similar scrummaging woes.