Rugby news 2024: Wallabies face tough task to win again in 2024 as All Blacks, northern tour loom

After being embarrassed by Argentina and with a tough series against the All Blacks and a northern tour to come, the possibility of finishing the year without another win is becoming a real threat for the Wallabies.

CAN the bumbling Wallabies win another game this year?

With a daunting two-match series against the All Blacks looming, and then a tough European tour beyond, it is entirely possible that Australia finishes the year with seven successive defeats.

It is a glass-half-empty view, but following the embarrassing record defeat to Argentina last weekend, few would hold great conviction about the winning capabilities of this team.

Joe Schmidt has proven himself a strong international coach with previous teams, but it’s clear he is struggling with a lack of talent.

He has used 16 Test debutants already this year – some forced through injury – but that kind of experimental gambling shows how bare the cupboard is for proven Test starters in this country.

The Wallabies were embarrassed by Argentina. Picture: Getty Images

And while the All Blacks are coming off successive defeats to South Africa, and have lost to Argentina at home this year as well, as a squad they are far more well-rounded and potent,

The Wallabies host New Zealand in the Bledisloe Cup opener on September 21 in Sydney, and both teams will be looking for redemption.

Unfortunately for Australia, their road is from much further back.

Hooker Dave Porecki is a likely addition to the squad having returned to running – he hasn’t played since last year’s World Cup.

Questions remain on the fitness of backrowers Liam Wright and Fraser McReight, while centre Hunter Paisami won’t be fit for the game.

But by and large, Schmidt will be relying on the same players who shipped 67 points in Sante Fe.

Many of those players are inexperienced in the Test arena – 10 of the 23-man squad beaten by Argentina have less than 10 international games – and won’t have the answers.

Will the Wallabies be able to win one of their fixtures against the All Blacks? Picture: Gallo Images

The Kiwis failed in two games against the Springboks but were far more competitive against the world champions than Australia was, and have a 22-year chokehold on the Bledisloe, knowing one win out of two keeps the trophy on their shores.

The Wallabies have question marks around so many key areas: scrum, playmaking, general reads in defence, security under the high ball, discipline, defending the rolling maul and winning collisions.

The Wallabies will face England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland later in 2024. Picture: Getty Images

Those won’t be fixed overnight, but the danger is that some of those issues may not be fixed at all by the start of the 2025 British & Irish Lions series.

Following the Sydney Bledisloe, the Wallabies head to Wellington for the return bout.

A friendlier tour game against Japan has fallen through, so following the All Blacks they begin their Grand Slam tour, starting with England in London, Wales in Cardiff, Scotland in Edinburgh, and then Ireland in Dublin.

On balance, their best chance is against Wales, who they beat twice in July.

However, Wales had several seasoned veterans remain home for the trip, and will be a far tougher prospect at Millennium Stadium.

Given the humiliation that transpired in Argentina, and the chronic problems the Wallabies have faced over the past decade, it would be a pleasant surprise for the team to conjure a victory or two before year’s end.

Originally published as Rugby news 2024: Wallabies face tough task to win again in 2024 as All Blacks, northern tour loom