If this year were an imaginary World Cup, Australia would have qualified for rugby’s quarterfinals. Top eight again, and a difficult matchup for England or even Ireland, if the pools sorted it that way.
Pushed from the ‘quarters’ picture were Wales and Fiji, the Wallabies’ pool mates last year. Fiji is fallow but Wales is in their deepest slump in a storied history; assisted by three losses to Australia.
All elite sport is animated – more than the casual fan cares to admit – by revenge motifs, or put a bit more palatably, turning things around. Everything now only makes sense by what was before.
When Joe Schmidt stepped in as Wallabies head coach, he understated his mission:
“I am conscious that the Wallabies have weathered a difficult period. I am keen to help them build a way forward, with greater alignment and clear direction from Rugby Australia.”
(Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)
Cambridge tells us the…
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