Australia are heading to Britain in a positive mood – How far can they go?
New Zealand’s dominance in world rugby has to be admired, with the All Blacks undoubtedly ruling for well over a decade, which is represented by the back-to-back World Cups they’ve won. However, the likes of Richie McCaw and Dan Carter have gone, and although they remain favourites to win the competition in 2019, there is a feeling that some of world rugby’s other countries could potentially stop what once seemed like an indestructible machine.
The British and Irish Lions enjoyed an extremely successful summer against New Zealand, drawing a three game series, 1-1, which was admittedly assisted by the ill discipline of Sonny Bill Williams in a thrilling second test. The Lions found a chink in the All Blacks’ armour, as have Australia in recent times – indicating they could avenge their World Cup final defeat from 2015.
New Zealand have beaten Australia twice recently, but the Wallabies sprung a surprise in the third and final test between the great rivals in 2017, beating the All Blacks 23-18 at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium in late October. Despite that result and competing so well in the 2015 World Cup, Australia are not the favourites to compete with New Zealand in Japan in 2019.
WE DID IT! Our #Wallabies have defeated the @AllBlacks 23-18 here at #BledisloeCup. #AUSvNZL
— Qantas Wallabies (@qantaswallabies) October 21, 2017
It is Eddie Jones’ England that are the favourites to challenge New Zealand at the next World Cup, with the Red Rose only losing once since the Australian was appointed in 2015, an incredible run that has also seen England record a 3-0 series victory over Australia themselves. Jones’ side are very much a work in progress.
Australia now have the opportunity to prove the bookmakers wrong, when they head to the Northern Hemisphere for the Autumn Internationals. Michael Cheika’s side head to Britain in a positive mood on the back of an outstanding victory against the All Blacks, and they will be looking to once again make a statement against the likes of Wales, Scotland and England.
Cheika will have a big fat circle around the fixture at Twickenham on November 18th, when they take on Jones’ England. Australia have not beaten England since the 2015 World Cup, when a Bernard Foley masterclass from outside half ended England’s ambitions of making a statement at a home World Cup.
England are the side expected to challenge New Zealand in 2019, and on current form it is easy to see why. However, Australia will be looking to make a huge statement and build on their recent victory over the All Blacks when they visit Twickenham.
Whilst Australia’s task in England will not be as difficult as a clash with the All Blacks, it will give another clear indication whether the Wallabies can challenge to become the best in the world. New Zealand don’t look the same animal they did two years ago, as the Lions and Australia have shown in recent months.
Australia’s form seems to be peaking at the right time, and if they head to England in the same form they showed recently against New Zealand, we could be watching the start of a shift in power.