Australia

Australia, or the Wallabies as they are known at home, have been undergoing a period of rebuilding for some time. They have secured a foreign coach, Robbie Deans from New Zealand to assist them with the transition process. Deans is doing well, and after some wobbles in 2008 and 2009 Australia performed better in the 2010 test season, beating New Zealand in Hong Kong, before falling to a resurgent England side that narrowly lost to New Zealand the week before. However, the team showed what it was capable of smashing France the weekend after that and making a clear and bold statement of its intention at the Rugby Union World Cup 2011. The retirement of George Smith was thought to have weighed heavily on the Wallabies ahead of the 2011 Rugby Union World Cup in New Zealand, but there are many reasons for fans of the Australian Rugby Union team to be optimistic. Not the least of which is the world beating form of Pocock, surely the number one open side flanker in World Rugby (now that McCaw is losing his edge).

Australia and the 2011 Rugby Union World Cup

First and foremost is the fact that the rebuilding seems to be progressing well. The forward pack is no longer the embarrassment at scrum time that it once was. Also, the performance of the Australian teams in the Super 15 Rugby Union competition has been better than it has for many years, and this will feed in to the national side being stronger. Several key players have burst on to the scene, and they are young, with room to improve, and crucially time to do this, ahead of the Rugby Union World Cup in 2011. Quade Cooper looks very strong, and his combination with Will Genia at the Reds will pay dividends at the Rugby Union World Cup in 2011.

Australian Key Players – Rugby Union World Cup 2011

One of the most impressive recently discovered players in Will Genia, a dynamic halfback that is being compared with the world champion, George Gregan. It is a fair comparison, especially a young George Gregan who was the best in the world at that time. Quade Cooper has also come on strongly for the Queensland Reds and has a style of play that can confound opponents, but unfortunately can also sometimes confound his team mates. However, he is young, and experience under a strong coaching staff is bringing out the best in him. At present, he gives the Wallabies backline some great options, as well as some depth, something they have lacked in most positions for some time now. Pocock is great at the breakdown and will win key ball for the Wallabies, and is sure to perform well at the highest level. The front row is now in place and can scrum with the best of them, enough to win their own ball and foot it with the strong scrimmaging nations. Stirling Mortlock is a strong captain, however he is of advancing years and injuries, although they have been a factor throughout his career, seem to be coming thick and fast as he spends more time off the field than on it now. Can he last until 2011? Even if he does, will he be good enough in midfield to match the best? These are the key questions that Australia will have to answer ahead of the 2011 Rugby World Cup.

2011 Rugby Union World Cup – Resurgent Wallabies

Be that as it may, we believe that Australia is a team on the rise. This is very important in the lead up to the Rugby World Cup competition. History has shown that teams at the top, or seemingly at the top, ahead of the competition tend to not perform as well as those teams that are improving leading into it. Teams hanging on to older players often do not have what it takes to emerge victorious after so many games during this sort of rigorous competition. As such, Australia is very well poised to perform well in this competition. In addition, it is on the better side of the draw assuming that the French do not beat the All Blacks. Australia will not face strong contenders South Africa or New Zealand until any final. They have performed well against the French in the past, but in 1987 were eliminated by France in the Semi Final. History will count for nothing for this young side, and we believe that they represent a strong chance of adding another Rugby Union World Cup in 2011 to the two Australia has won already.