Wallabies a huge chance to win their first Bledisloe Cup since 2002
The Israel Folau saga has brought rugby to its knees in Australia yet the Wallabies are every chance of ending their Bledisloe Cup drought. How did it happen?
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There was a time when all of Australia’s rugby hopes rested with Israel Folau and the magic he could produce from fullback.
Can’t win without him, they said.
But here are the Wallabies, having endured the most torrid off-field controversy in their history amid Folau’s religious and legal crusade, poised to create history at Eden Park.
The man wearing the No.15 jersey on Saturday night, Kurtley Beale, has ridden his own rollercoaster to arrive at this venue, for this occasion.
A schoolboy sensation, thrust into the limelight, moved around the backline, didn’t handle the Test arena, off-field indiscretions, fighting for the recognition of his Indigenous people, finally living up to potential, shifted around again, becoming a leader.
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“Kurtley’s got great energy,” Wallabies forwards coach Simon Raiwalui said after the team’s final training session on Friday.
“He brings a lot to the team on the field and off the field.
“Kurtley has really grown in the year I’ve had him. He’s taken that leadership role and he’s really enjoying it.”
It’s not only Beale.
There are stories all over the park for this group of hopeful history-makers.
Halfback Nic White and centre James O’Connor were playing in England at the start of the year and not in contention for Test returns.
A trip by coach Michael Cheika coaxed both to sign deals to return to Australia. They’ve since been thrust into the starting side after a six-year absence for O’Connor and three for White – and shone last week in Perth.
Five-eighth Christian Lealiifano has overcome cancer to claim the contentious No.10 jersey when last year he didn’t feature in the debate among Bernard Foley, Beale, Matt Toomua, Quade Cooper and even Reece Hodge.
And the captain Michael Hooper, who for years endured calls from punters to be dropped for David Pocock, wore the criticism and pushed on.
Pocock hasn’t been available so far this year, but Hooper has carried the team on his shoulders.
His statistics in The Rugby Championship were phenomenal, leading the way in pilfers, most tackles, runs and metres by any forward.
Hooper bore the brunt of criticism for saying he’d find it difficult to play alongside Folau before the player was sacked by Rugby Australia.
He did so because, like Cheika, Hooper is adamant the team always comes before any individual.
That was repeated by RA chief executive Raelene Castle.
“The thing about team sport is that it’s about everybody ensuring that they put the team in front of, at critical times, their own personal views,” Castle told Sky News.
“So anything that any team member would do, to disrupt the preparation of a team, or misalign a season — where the focus gets drawn away from the success of the team to one individual’s views or different perspectives — I think that’s where some team members have found it difficult.
“That maybe they felt that Israel put his personal views in front of the benefit of the team.
“Certainly as a friend and a colleague they continue to support him.
“But they continue to recognise that to be successful the team needs to be aligned and working towards one goal.”
Folau is now behind the Wallabies.
If the many stories among these 23 men can collaborate for a fairytale script, glory is in front of them.
Originally published as Wallabies a huge chance to win their first Bledisloe Cup since 2002
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