Rugby World Cup 2015: Wallabies depart on their mission to turn hopers into believers
THE Wallabies have flown out, confident that the next time they step into Sydney Airport, they’ll be clutching the Webb Ellis Cup.
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THE Wallabies have flown out, confident that the next time they step into Sydney Airport, they’ll be clutching the Webb Ellis Cup.
This ragtag crew assembled by maverick coach Michael Cheika isn’t fancied to win the World Cup, but have enough tricks up their sleeve to seriously worry teams that are.
Prop Sekope Kepu’s brother Sione, a Qantas employee, donned a Wallabies scarf and checked in players.
Fijian flyers Tevita Kuridrani and Henry Speight strummed small guitars, while Tatafu Polota-Nau talked up their singing capabilities.
Will Skelton, the largest member of the Wallabies’ touring party which departed Australia on Saturday for their World Cup campaign in England via Chicago, grew up hoping to represent New Zealand in rugby league.
Off to the USA. Big few months ahead. pic.twitter.com/LWzV5mMmgf
— David Pocock (@pocockdavid) August 28, 2015Israel Folau was a league star the last time a World Cup was played.
Matt Giteau was an unwanted Wallaby in 2011, but boarded the plane for his third tournament alongside three other players who were overseas based in 2015 — Drew Mitchell, Dean Mumm and Kane Douglas.
Greg Holmes had not played a Test since 2007 when Cheika called him into the squad this year, and now he’s guaranteed to feature in most, if not all, World Cup games.
.@SekopeKepu getting a hand from his brother Sione at @Qantas check-in! #StrongerAsOne pic.twitter.com/END75MPnQm
— Wallabies (@Wallabies) August 28, 2015Sean McMahon, 21 years and charged with looking after mascot Wally throughout the tour, was still at school during the last World Cup.
Australia plays the United States in Chicago next weekend in its final practice match before the big dance.
Perhaps the NFL scouts who have been stunned by Jarryd Hayne’s switch will be taking a keen interest in the Wallabies this week, with Skelton’s 204cm, 148kg frame well-suited to a defensive tackle position
All set. Great company for the flight but I do plan on getting lots of sleep! #eyemaskready pic.twitter.com/qDEOFHeMvO
— David Pocock (@pocockdavid) August 28, 2015“I think they’ll be talking to Izzy, not me, I’m a rugby player,” Skelton said.
“As an Australian you’re really proud of [Hayne’s] efforts and what he’s accomplished in a short amount of time.”
And in a short amount of time, it will be up to the Wallabies to make Australia proud of its rugby team.
Cheika declared his team’s mission in the next month is to “turn a lot of the ‘hopers”.
“I think there’s a lot of people that are genuinely hoping we do well, but we want to turn a lot of them into believers, saying ‘We are going to do well’,” Cheika said.
Originally published as Rugby World Cup 2015: Wallabies depart on their mission to turn hopers into believers