Resurgent Wallabies on track

A week after clinching a 42-37 victory over England at Twickenham, our Wallabies demolished Wales by a record 52-20 in Cardiff. Sterner tests await in the next fortnight, against Scotland and Ireland, and coach Joe Schmidt, wisely, will not even “contemplate” the thought of a first grand slam success in 40 years.

Yet the Spring Tour is emerging as a turning point. The Wallabies have a depth of talent and are playing with purpose and flair. They appear to be a world away from the doldrums of 14 months ago when they went down to Wales, 40-6, at the World Cup in Lyon, under former coach Eddie Jones.

The team’s success will boost the Rugby Future Fund, which, as John Stensholt wrote on Friday, has raised $12m of a targeted $100m. The fund, managed by investment advisers and money managers with an affinity for the game, aims to generate returns to be ploughed into community rugby projects and the top level of the code through the Australian Rugby Foundation. The initiative, which could offer a model for other sports to break the reliance on taxpayers, will help secure the future of the game for junior boys and girls and up to the professional level.

Consecutive wins in Britain have rekindled memories of the excitement of past tours and eras, when the Wallabies were a force to be reckoned with by all-comers. Roll on those great days again! No wonder ticket sales for next year’s British and Irish Lions tour of Australia are strong.