The Rugby Championship preview: Australia

[TRF_Ezequiel]

2011 record: Played 4, won 3, lost 1 (1st​ overall)

​

Australia enter the inaugural Rugby Championship as defending Tri Nations champions, though may struggle to defend their crown this season in the expanded tournament. They had mixed results during the Rugby World Cup, finishing 3rd​ overall after being knocked out at the semi final stage by the eventual champions. However, many feel they were lucky to even make the semi finals, after a disappointing loss to Ireland in the pool stages, and controversial victory over South Africa in the quarter finals. They finished 2011 on a high after defeating Wales in Cardiff, but had an inauspicious start to 2012, losing at home to Scotland 9-6 in horrendous weather conditions. A 3-0 series victory over Wales followed, though that scoreline did not reflect the closeness of the series. The Wallabies enter the 2012 Rugby Championship with a backline overflowing with talent, but one big question remains: will their forward pack hold up against the powerful packs of New Zealand, South Africa, and Argentina?


New players to watch:

Australia enter the tournament with a largely settled squad, though injuries to a number of key players have forced the Australian selectors to introduce several untested players. Long term injuries to Australia's first choice locking pair of Dan Vickermann and James Horwill have forced the selectors to pick a couple of new locks in the squad, with Waratahs duo of Sitaleki Timani and Kane Douglas selected to back-up the more experienced Nathan Sharpe and Rob Simmons. Both have the prerequisite size for test rugby - they are listed at 2.03kg and over 120kgs - though have contrasting styles of play. Timani is a powerful ball runner who thrives with the ball in open play, while Douglas is a more traditional lock, more comfortable doing the 'dirty work' than running with ball in hand.

With injuries to Wycliff Palu and Ben McCalman, and the departure of Rocky Elsom, Dave Dennis looks set to feature in the Wallabies 6 jersey throughout the Rugby Championship. The 26 year-old Dennis is known for his high work-rate, strong lineout work, and consistency, and was one of the few Waratahs players to enhance their reputations during the Super Rugby season. Loose-forward Jake Schatz has also been included in the squad after a string of strong performances for the Reds late in the season, and looks to be competing with reds team-mate Radike Samo for a spot on the Wallabies bench. Australia also look set to play a specialist openside on the bench, with 20 year-olds Michael Hooper and Liam Gill competing for that spot. Both young opensides had outstanding Super Rugby seasons, and in combination with David Pocock could cause opposition teams problems at the breadkown if introduced from the bench with 20 minutes remaining.

There a few new faces in the twelve backs named, with James O'Connor, Pat McCabe (both injured), and Luke Burgess (playing in France) all missing from last seasons squad. Halfbacks Nic White and Nic Phipps will be competing for a spot backing up Will Genia, though neither will be expecting much (if any) game time unless Genia is injured. New Zealand born Mike Harris is the only other new face in the squad. Harris has already made a dramatic start to test rugby, having kicked a last gasp penalty to secure victory over Wales after coming of the bench in his second test. His versatility and strong goal-kicking skills may see him as a solid bench option while O'Connor and McCabe recover from their injuries.


Key players:

In a team full of outstanding backline talent, probably the key man for the Wallabies is their openside flanker, and captain, David Pocock. He is arguably the premier 7 in world rugby, and his ability to slow down or turnover opposition ball will be vital for the Wallabies, while he has also showed during the Super Rugby season that he has developed a strong ball running game. Loosehead prop Benn Robinson’s ability to help stabilise a traditionally weak Australian scrum will also be a key for the Wallabies. Though some have questioned whether he has regained his best form after knee surgery last season, he remains one of the few Wallabies props who is able hold his own in the scrum against the best props in the world. Providing a solid platform is vital for Australia, as if they are able to gain parity up front their dangerous backline can cause a lot of damage.

The key playmaker in the Wallabies backline is halfback Will Genia, and his ability to control the game is vital for the Wallabies. In additional he has the ability to single-handedly spark the Wallabies into life with his elusive running around the base of the breakdown. Outside of Genia there is an abundance of dangerous runners, arguably the most dangerous of which is Digby Ioane. Ioane's combination of extreme pace, great footwork, and explosive power make him a nightmare for opposition wings, and his well established combination with both Genia and Cooper make him particularly dangerous.


Predicted 22:

1. Benn Robinson, 2. Tatafu Polota-Nau, 3. Sekope Kepu, 4. Rob Simmons, 5. Nathan Sharpe, 6. Dave Dennis, 7. David Pocock ©, 8. Scott Higginbotham, 9. Will Genia, 10. Berrick Barnes, 11. Digby Ioane, 12. Anthony Faingaa, 13. Rob Horne, 14. Adam Ashley-Cooper, 15. Kurtley Beale
Reserves: 16. Stephen Moore, 17. Ben Alexander, 18. Sitaleki Timani, 19. Jake Schatz, 20. Liam Gill, 21. Nic White, 22. Drew Mitchell


Schedule:

18th​ August. Australia - New Zealand. Stadium Australia, Sydney
25th​ August. New Zealand - Australia. Eden Park, Auckland
8th​ September. Australia - South Africa. Subiaco Oval, Perth
15th​ September. Australia - Argentina. Robina Stadium, Gold Coast
29th​ September. South Africa â€" Australia. Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
6th​ October. Argentina â€" Australia. Estadio Gigante de Arroyito, Rosario


Predicted finish in 2012: 4th​

 

[TRF Mr Fish]

How many times has Oz/Oz teams been hurt by only having two back reserves? Surely Deans will have learned by now...

 

[Darwin]

How many times has Oz/Oz teams been hurt by only having two back reserves? Surely Deans will have learned by now...

It will be interesting to see what Australia do in this regard. I thought they had (finally) gone away from a 5/2 bench during the Welsh series, only for them to revert back to it in the third test!

 

[TRF_Ezequiel]

In Australia they seem to think Genia is a utility back now

 

[TRF Mr Fish]

Funny, they seem to think the same thing of Samo...

 

[welshglory]

Bold to predict them coming 4th

 

[The big Kangaroo]

this is ridiculous, I know all you people want Argentina to do well but its simply not going to happen for a couple of years There is no way the wallabies will finish 4th!!!! .

 

[TRF Mr Fish]

It's definitely possible. Argentina get a bigger advantage from playing at home than Australia do, in my opinion, and as I can't see either team winning much/at all away from home, it could well come down to how they perform on their home grounds.

 

[The big Kangaroo]

It's definitely possible.

its all so possible for a coin to land on its side just very unlikely

 

[LittleGuy]

Even though I think Argentina will cause a few scares and possibly win one or two home matches I think it will be difficult for them to finish higher than last place. Try Bonus points will be very difficult for them to come by and I don't think the Pumas have a shot at upsetting the AB's as the other sides do.

 

[TRF Mr Fish]

its all so possible for a coin to land on its side just very unlikely

I suppose we can be thankful you at least acknowledge that, as it is contrary to your last post

 

[TRF_Ezequiel]

Guys,

We didn't try to insult Australia by adding the projected finish, we just decided it was a fun aspect to the previews and we decided to pick Argentina 3rd. We at least hope you enjoyed the rest of the article

 

[Darwin]

I tend to think that Australia getting 4th is unlikely, but I don't think it is completely out of the question. I also wouldn't rule out them winning the entire competition! I think Australia are very unpredictable really - over the last couple of years they have shown they are capable of beating the best teams in the world, but also have suffered losses to the likes of Samoa and Scotland. Yes, they clearly used weaker teams in these matches (and the conditions for the Scotland match were shocking), but because they lack depth if they suffer a couple of injuries they could be in big trouble. If, for example, Genia was out injured I think Australia would really struggle, as so much of their game-plan revolves around him. I felt the same about Pocock last season, but they have a couple of incredible promising back-ups for him in the squad now.

I think Australia should beat Argentina in their match on the Gold Coast, but in Argentina it could be another story altogether!

 

[Smithy_NZ]

Australia has consistently beaten South Africa over the last three seasons and have won 6 of their last 7 matches. I feel if they can contain the brute force of the Boks then they will beat the Boks at home. I can't see Argentina getting anywhere but last, they may pick up a scalp along the way but their points differential will be the worst and the likelihood of them getting bonus points is seriously limited! If you are confident of Australia finishing last then I would say put your money where your mouth is and head down the bookies as you will long odds!

 

[TRF_Ezequiel]

Well, in those matches we played with a very poor and old John Smit and we had Habana in poor form. A lot has changed in the last 12 months. You'll see

 

[Smithy_NZ]

Not buying the Boks' creative ability, it is a well known fact that if you subdue their forwards then you'll have a good show at getting a victory. PS Habana is still in poor form and Morne Steyn is so anaemic on attack, this team is too one dimensional as per usual.

 

[Feicarsinn]

Well, in those matches we played with a very poor and old John Smit and we had Habana in poor form. A lot has changed in the last 12 months. You'll see

Based on their showings against England, I'd be inclined to disagree. We know that Steyn will start at 10, which immediately weakens their attacking back play to the point where it's nigh on non existent. It doesn't matter what kind of form Habana and co are in if they aren't getting the ball.

 

[TRF_Ezequiel]

I am not one to wish upon injuries but I am happy to make an exception in this matter. Maybe that's why no player ever really tackles Morne hard. They are afraid they injure him and a more suited replacement will come on the pitch to beat them

 

[Larksea]

Argentina are an unknown factor but I don't seriously believe they will end this comp ahead of any of the tri nations sides.

I think Australia's problem is consistency and having Argentina in the comp will hamper them.

Like Aussie are the kind of side that would concentrate a huge amount of energy into the first two tests against NZ and because of that maybe drop a game to Argentina or a home game to South Africa and then be out of the comp.

I do seriously think Argentina could end up being a bogey side for the wallabies. They are going to be tougher than Scotland and the Scots have two recent wins over Australia, and maybe draw the wallabies into a similar game to Scotland.

 

[PREEST]

I think the injuries don't help Australia's cause. They have a good squad but I don't think they are yet at full strength. It would be good to see the Wallabies improve on last years feat. First test against the ABs will be a big one for Australia.