Wallabies NH Tour: Trainwreck imminent?

The Wallabies may have made the RWC final in 2015 but since then there hasn't been a lot to shout about.

Three losses in Australia to England. Then the Rugby Championship, some of the worst rugby I have ever seen from the Wallabies. No cohesion, players out of position. Shambles. Thankfully, the Wallabies pulled it back slightly towards the end of the tournament but it was just far too easy for NZ to cruise to yet another Rugby Championship title and Bledisloe Cup. Had SA not been malfunctioning themselves then Australia may well have been embarrassed on a totally new level.

Notably as well, the ARU have failed to keep talent in Australia such as James O'connor, Kurtley Beale, Matt Giteau, Drew Mitchell, James Horwill, Liam gill, Jesse Mogg, Luke Jones, Peter Betham, Matt Toomua, Nic White, Will Genia... etc. Lot of these guys are young and have years ahead of them. Where as NZ seem to be in control. Ageing talent move to France but younger talent remain, playing for the NZ Super teams. The lucrative carrot that is French and English rugby has been allowed to snatch up some of Australia's best players and it is affecting international results. Having to deal with can he play? will they release him to play? or will their be a conflict of interest? year in year out is a totally unnecessary burden.

Personally I think Cheika has become worse than Deans and a hell of a lot worse than Mckenzie. I feel Australia may be in for a shocker of a tour. The fact many in Aus are shouting for Folau to play at centre full time is an example of how bad it has got. The worlds best fullback at centre?   

It's time for the ARU to pull their heads in and try and find a way to retain talent and restore some pride.

This Aus squad is still better than when the Lions last played them & according to Robin McBride ' the second best team in the world'

Don't worry, you will get your annual win over us on Saturday. We will do all we can to hand the game to you on a plate as usual.

Im afraid LD is probably right, it will be close then we'll have a brain fart and Aus will get a last minute penalty/Try

Don't know why Australia would be pessimistic.

Wales currently don't have a no 8, plus they struggle mentally vs Australia. Also other key players like Warburton,L. Williams and AWJ out.

England are missing key players in the pack, Australia will lick their lips at the prospect. Could be vulnerable on the wings too. England will probably have even more players missing by the time the Aussies play.

Pocock and Hooper could well have a field day.

There is definitely a hoodoo that Oz have over Wales, the same as SA have over England.
As beshocked says - the attrition rate of the prior tests will have an impact on England (let alone the players that are already out). Who knows who will eventually line up for that match!

Wales are missing Felatu, and AWJ - I am not sure who else is out, but with that game first up its the one that may be toughest for Oz to get a result in.

I think at the end of this AI tour the mood wont be quite so down and Cheika will be more comfortable. You also cant blame him for ARU policy - its down to them to come up with the solutions for keeping home grown players in-country (if that's what they want).

A highly disrespectful post. The Wallabies aren't at their best but they finished 2nd in the RC (not easy) and I expect they'll beat Scotland on tour too. They'll probably start off well by beating Wales this Saturday and as it currently stands they have a good chance against England - either way that one should be close.

propdavid_london wrote:There is definitely a hoodoo that Oz have over Wales, the same as SA have over England.  
As beshocked says - the attrition rate of the prior tests will have an impact on England (let alone the players that are already out).  Who knows who will eventually line up for that match!

Wales are missing Felatu, and AWJ - I am not sure who else is out, but with that game first up its the one that may be toughest for Oz to get a result in.  

I think at the end of this AI tour the mood wont be quite so down and Cheika will be more comfortable.  You also cant blame him for ARU policy - its down to them to come up with the solutions for keeping home grown players in-country (if that's what they want).

Not quite the same as Eng/SA - we've beaten them in the professional era

OK - recent HooDoo then

I've lost confidence. NZ are cruising to victories against Aus, back when I was a kid these were big games where either side a potential winner. Who honestly thought Wallabies might beat NZ this year? None of my Kiwi mates thats for sure.

No disrespect to the talented players over on tour, as I've said above my main gripe is with the ARU and Cheika who I don't think is the right person to be coaching the Wallabies.