CLANCY OVERELL | Editor | Contact
In case you haven’t been waking up in the early hours of the morning to witness Australia’s international rugby union renaissance, you might not yet know that the Wallabies are back!
This comes after the Green and Gold dealt Wales yet another L to add to their worst losing run in the country’s 143 year rugby history.
However, while Wales may be enduring an unprecedented losing treat with 11 losses, it doesn’t change the fact that the Wallabies are playing very good footy.
This record-breaking 52-20 win comes a week after the Wallabies carefully dismantled England, the inventors of Rugby Union, in an 84 minute neck-and-neck spectacular at Twickenham.
The sleeping fanbase of rural and suburban Australia are today starting to feel a bit of that 2000s magic that once had the nation wrapped up in Matildas-like excitement.
With Australian rugby union now embracing their underdog status, and disregarding the schoolboy elitism that has seen an revolving door of coaches and captains hired and fired for the sugar hits reluctant media headlines – fans can now focus on actually watching the game.
And much like the Matildas finals dash in last year’s World Cup, last fortnight has been a reminder of just how good international rugby union is when you are good at it. It’s also been a reminder that anyone can play, and anyone can support a national side.
The fact that one of the modern game’s greatest critics is now in handcuffs is probably also good news for coach Joe Schmidt, who can now go about his job with one less spray to cop from the former players and coaches who can’t understand why the Wallabies aren’t as dominant as they used to be when the All Blacks were made up of white PE teachers.
But judging by current form, they are starting to look dominant once again. Dominant in a game that has changed dramatically since professionalisation.
The fact is, the Wallabies are finding their groove. It feels like the Horan era all over again. The boys know their places, and the coach has not only managed all expectations, but exceeded them. They just put 30 points on world cup finals regular, and they may never lose again.
