Rugby World Cup: The seven key questions that will decide the Wallabies’ World Cup fate
Can the Wallabies make some noise at the World Cup? Is Quade Cooper still the man? Jamie Pandaram and Julien Linden debate the hottest topics surrounding the Wallabies’ World Cup hopes.
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There are just 100 days to go before the Wallabies kick off their World Cup campaign in France.
Here, Code Sports rugby experts Jamie Pandaram and Julian Linden go head-to-head on the biggest issues facing Australia.
DO THE WALLABIES HAVE ANY REAL CHANCE OF WINNING THE WORLD CUP?
Panda: Of course they have a chance Jules, but realistically they’ll be lucky to get past the semis based on their performances over the past few years and the elite level that rival teams have been playing at. The draw suits them, but no team ranked outside the top five has gone on to win the big trophy. Do you honestly see them beating France, Ireland or the All Blacks in a final?
Jules: The Wallabies have been playing like rubbish for years so I can’t tip them with any confidence but I’m not giving up on them either. As you said Panda, they’ve got a dream draw so they should get a free ride into the semis then who knows what will happen after that. This is shaping as the most even Rugby World Cup ever and there are question marks about all the other contenders.
IS EDDIE JONES THE MESSIAH — OR JUST A VERY NAUGHTY BOY?
Panda: Jones is close to a Messiah in World Cup years; he took Australia to a shock final against England in 2003, was part of South Africa’s winning campaign in 2007, helped Japan shock the world in 2015 with victory over South Africa, and then took England to an unlikely final in 2015 with a semi-final dismantling of the All Blacks. If there is one man who knows how to conjure the unthinkable at the World Cup, it is Steady Eddie.
Jules: Steady on Panda — that was no shock final appearance against the Poms in 2003. That was pure coaching genius that brought the All Blacks undone in the semis. But I digress. Jones is a proven World Cup performer and the right coach for Australia right now. He’s got Aussies talking about rugby again but best of all, he’ll give the Wallabies the tough love they didn’t get under Dave Rennie.
EVERY TEAM NEEDS A GREAT CAPTAIN – SO WHO SHOULD SKIPPER THE WALLABIES?
Panda: Well, who is a guaranteed starter firstly? My mail for a while has been that Allan Alaalatoa will be captain under Jones, but now he’s suffered this calf injury and is in doubt for the first Test of the year against the Springboks, there aren’t obvious candidates. Sticking with James Slipper seems the logical, easy choice. Michael Hooper seems better off without the responsibility and the best of the rest are too inexperienced at leading in the Test arena. You got a bolter in mind?
Jules: I read an interesting book recently about how the common denominator in the greatest sport teams is the leader — rather than the star player. That’s a tricky one for the Wallabies. I don’t like the idea of having captains that go off before the end when the tough calls need to be made so the field is very limited. If he’s fit, I’d go with Samu Kerevi. He’s not a big talker but he’s the first bloke who will run through a brick wall and the others will follow him.
WITH SO MANY TOP PLAYERS OVERSEAS, IS IT TIME THE GITEAU LAW WAS CANNED?
Panda: Absolutely. We’re in purgatory trying to select the best Wallabies team available, and appeasing broadcasters who don’t want a mass exodus from struggling Super Rugby teams that would further impact ratings of the tournament. But South Africa picked players from around the world and won the last Cup, and we now have too many must-have players overseas to stick to just three.
Jules: 100 per cent agree. Rightly or wrongly, Australian rugby lives and dies by the success of the Wallabies. This is an absolute no-brainer. With Australia hosting the next World Cup and the lions series, they need the Wallabies to start putting some wins together and the only way that happens is by picking the best players no matter where they are based.
WHO SHOULD BE THE WALLABIES PLAYMAKER?
Panda: Quade Cooper, as strange as this still is to say. He showed upon return in 2021 that he remains an unpredictable attacking threat, but now has the maturity to direct a game plan. Carter Gordon has been outstanding in Super Rugby while Bernard Foley and Noah Lolesio are handy backups, but in the big games it’s got to be Quade.
Jules: You’ve got to be kidding! Cooper is already 35. World Cups are won by teams with young playmakers – usually in their mid 20s. I’d have Cooper in the squad as bench player but not starting. The only five-eighth to win a World Cup after turning 30 is Dan Carter. Carter Gordon is the man for the job this time.
WHO ARE THE PLAYERS WHO CAN MAKE THE DIFFERENCE?
Panda: Marika Koroibete, Samu Kerevi, Will Skelton and Rob Valetini can cut teams to pieces on any given day. When opposition coaches study the Wallabies, these are the players giving them night sweats. As an ex-halfback I know you think the team revolves around No. 9, who are you starting there?
Jules: I’m a big fan of Tate McDermott. Every Wallabies team that has made a World Cup has always had a dynamic halves combination: think Nick-Farr Jones-Michael Lynagh (1991), George Gregan-Stephen Larkham (1999, 2003) and Will Genia-Bernard Foley (2015). The Wallabies will have to take some risks to win this World Cup and I’d start with pairing McDermott and Gordon together. Koroibete and Kerevi are also key backs while Dave Porecki is the forward with the most to offer because he’s the best lineout thrower.
WHAT ARE THE BIGGEST PROBLEMS THE WALLABIES HAVE TO FIX TO HAVE A REAL SHOT AT THE TITLE?
Panda: Execution under pressure, a consistent let-down for the past two decades. Coaches and players have come and gone, new game plans have been implemented, mind games played, motivational methods tried. When it comes down to it, the Wallabies have failed time and again to nail big moments in big games, despite playing reasonably well outside of these moments. Eddie has only five games to get an unfamiliar group of players executing at a high skill level in the most pressurised environment. Tick, tock.
Jules: Discipline. Time and time again over the last four years, the Wallabies have blown their chances of victory by giving away stupid penalties then squealing about it. But that ship has sailed. The game has changed and if they don’t adapt to the new regulations they will fail. It’s that simple.
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Originally published as Rugby World Cup: The seven key questions that will decide the Wallabies’ World Cup fate
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