Qantas Wallabies Tri-Nations preview
July 10, 2008 - 7:36pm
Story by: ARU
At the end of 2007 the Qantas Wallabies were down and out.
Turfed out of the Rugby World Cup at the Quarter Finals stage the only thing that could make it worse was that the Wallabies exit came at the hands of the old enemy England, who also vanquished Australia’s hopes in the 2003 Final.
The demise of the Men of Gold in Marseilles was a bitter pill for all in Australian Rugby to swallow – players, fans, coaches, officials. Indeed some are still finding it hard to digest even now.
It was so demoralising that many wondered how – and when, even if - Australian Rugby would recover. To top that key players such as George Gregan and Stephen Larkham were moving on.
What was needed was a shiny knight on a white stallion to ride in and give Australian Rugby new hope. And on June the 1st, the day after he won his fifth Super 14 title, he did ride in – on a red and black horse albeit – but with armour so shiny it was blinding.
The arrival of one Robert Maxwell Deans seems to have re-generated and re-energised Australian Rugby almost instantaneously.
Suddenly players who were tired and jaded and weighing up exit plans were bursting with enthusiasm, desperate to pull on the Gold jersey and virtually leaping over each other to be part of the new Deans order.
The aura around the team has completely transformed and even the most world-weary Rugby journalists are actually looking forward to the next Test, the next tour, the next unfolding chapter in Deans master-plan.
And the refreshing thing is there is a plan. A grand strategy to take Australian Rugby back to the top. The setting up of a new golden dynasty. Deans is in for the long haul.
It will take a number of seasons for Australian Rugby to learn the Deans style, the one that served him so well at Canterbury and the Crusaders, but the former All Black is already beginning to make his mark.
The Wallabies started off slow with a win against Ireland in Melbourne (18-12) but then showed marked improvement in the First Test against France (34 – 13) before setting a new record for a victory margin in the Second (40-10).
The forwards have some fire in their belly and the backline, under the guidance of new flyhalf Matt Giteau, is beginning to show some sparkle.
Could it be a much hoped for regeneration is not that far away and could the Wallabies first Tri-Nations title since 2001 be a possibility ?
Strengths: Robbie Deans. The master coach knows only one way to go – up. Already the culture and style of the Wallabies is changing, for the better, and the results are starting to trend upwards. Throw in some wise heads, like captain Stirling Mortlock, and some exciting new talent like scrumhalf Luke Burgess, wing Peter Hynes and lock James Horwill and Deans has more than something to work with.
Weakness: Time. Deans has only had three Tests to start introducing his team to their new game plan and now they have to throw themselves into the toughest international tournament on earth. Deans is a miracle worker but a trio of Tests, two against an under-strength French team, is not ideal preparation for a Tri-Nations. The Wallabies may come in a little underdone.
Coach: Coached the Crusaders to the Super Rugby championship 5 times (2000, 2002, 2005, 2006 and 2008); Super Rugby finalists twice (2003, 2004); coached the Crusaders through the Super 12 in 2002 unbeaten – the only team ever to achieve this feat; between 2004 and 2007 the Crusaders went unbeaten through 26 home games – easily a Super Rugby record. Coaching co-ordinator for the All Blacks from 2001 to 2003 in which time they won 23 of 28 Tests, with one other drawn. Played 5 Tests for the All Blacks. Enough said.
Captain: Stirling Mortlock. The captain at the 2007 Rugby World Cup, Stirling’s appointment was in no way a fait de compli and he had to show his new Head Coach that he had both the passion and the ability to lead the Wallabies into a new era. He proved both to Deans - on the field and off – and although he didn’t hear till the day before the team was announced, the 31-year-old Brumbies outside centre got the gig. He has the respect of his team mates and the fire in the belly to drive the Men of Gold to success. Deans and Mortlock could make a very winning team.
Previous campaigns:
2007: Second
2006: Second
2005: Third
2004: Second
2003: Second
2002: Second
2001: Champions
2000: Champions
1999: Second
1998: Second
1997: Third
1996: Third
2008 prospects: Who knows ? It will depend on how quickly the Men of Gold can adjust to the pace and intensity of the tournament and their first match in Perth against the Springboks is a must win – but a third Tri-Nations title is not out of the question.
Fixtures:
DATE OPPONENT VENUE KICKOFF (LOCAL TIME)
19 July v Springboks Subiaco Oval, Perth 6.00pm
26 July v All Blacks ANZ Stadium, Sydney 8.00pm
2 August v All Blacks Eden Park, Auckland 7.35pm
23 August v Springboks ABSA Stadium, Durban 3.00pm
30 August v Springboks Ellis Park, Johannesburg 3.00pm
13 September v All Blacks Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane 8.00pm
Squad:
Backs: Adam Ashley Cooper ( Brumbies), Berrick Barnes (Reds), Luke Burgess (Waratahs), Sam Cordingley (Reds), Ryan Cross (Force), Matt Giteau (Force), Peter Hynes (Reds), Drew Mitchell (Force), Stirling Mortlock (c) (Brumbies), Brett Sheehan (Waratahs), Timana Tahu (Waratahs), Lote Tuqiri (Waratahs), Lachie Turner (Waratahs).
Forwards: Ben Alexander (Brumbies), Al Baxter (Waratahs), Richard Brown (Force), Matt Dunning (Waratahs), Rocky Elsom (Waratahs), Adam Freier (Waratahs), James Horwill (Reds), Hugh McMeniman (Reds), Stephen Moore (Reds), Dean Mumm (Waratahs), Wycliff Palu (Waratahs), Tatafu Polota-Nau (Waratahs), Benn Robinson (Waratahs), Nathan Sharpe (Force), George Smith (Brumbies), Phil Waugh (Waratahs), Dan Vickerman (Waratahs).
