Rugby World Cup Profile – Australia
The Australian national Rugby Union team, also known as the Wallabies, is placed in Pool C of the 2011 Rugby World Cup (RWC). Besides Australia, other teams in Pool C include Ireland, Italy,
Russia and United States of America (USA).
The 2011 RWC will be the Wallabies consecutive seventh RWC appearance. They were twice champions of the World in the 1991 and 1999 RWCs respectively. Additionally, in 2003, they lost the home
final against England, 20 – 17, also reached the semifinal of the 1987 inaugural RWC.
Wallabies’ worst performance in the RWC came during the 1995 and 2007 RWC, when they exited the tournament from the quarter-final stage.
Australia is currently ranked second in the International Rugby Board’s (IRB) World Rankings. They are trailing behind the All Blacks by approximately six points. They qualify for the 2011
RWC spot, by virtue of being one of the top 12 Rugby playing nations in the world.
Wallabies enjoyed a mixed international season so far. Samoa handed them a shocking defeat at home. However, they managed to win both their Tri Nations encounters against the Springboks. Although
the All Blacks outplayed them comprehensively during their 2011 Tri Nations encounter against the Wallabies at the Eden Park.
Besides, this Wallabies are the only team to defeat the All Black during the 2010 calendar. They had a relatively successful 2010 European tour, in which they managed to win their matches against
Wales and France. However, they ended on the losing side against the English side.
The recent successful campaign of the Australian Super Rugby Franchises in the 2011 Super Rugby championships makes the Wallabies unit a real threat in the 2011 RWC. Particularly, the 2011
Super Rugby champions, Queensland Reds players are in great run of the form, and it is expected that they carry their strong form in the 2011 RWC.
The trio of Quade Cooper, James O’Connor and David Pocock is the Wallabies internationally acclaimed players.
Following his 2011 Super Rugby heroics, Quade Cooper is considered as the second to the All Blacks stay fly half, Dan Carter. Cooper was this year’s Super Rugby highest point scorer, and has
been consistent with his performance at both domestic and international competitions.
The 23-year-old back row forward
David Pocock is renowned for his strong running, explosive ball tackling and handling skills. He has replaced the likes of the former Wallabies internationals Phil Waugh and George Smith, to secure his permanent position, in the Wallabies squad.
He is ranked equal to the All Blacks international flanker Richie McCaw.
The talented James O'Connor is Wallabies utility back and can play at the different positions. He played an important role in Wallabies win over the Blacks in November, last year. The win
ended Wallabies 10 game losing streak against the All Blacks.
George Gregan with his 20 RWC appearances holds the Wallabies record for the highest number of appearances in the global tournament. Meanwhile, Michael Lynagh with his 195 points, which consists
of 4 tries, 36 conversions, 33 penalties and 2 drop goals is Wallabies highest point scorer in the RWC history.
Chris Latham with his 11 tries holds the Wallabies record for the top try scorer.
The Wallabies final 30-man squad for their 2011 RWC campaign consists of the following:
Backs: Kurtley Beale, James O'Connor, Drew Mitchell, Digby Ioane, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Rob Horne, Pat McCabe, Anthony Faingaa, Berrick Barnes, Quade Cooper, Nick Phipps, Luke
Burgess, Will Genia.
Forwards: Ben McCalman, Radike Samo, Wycliff Palu, David Pocock, Rocky Elsom, Scott Higginbotham, James Horwill (c), Rob Simmons, Nathan Sharpe, Dan Vickerman, Ben Alexander,
Sekope Kepu, James Slipper, Salesi Ma'afu, Stephen Moore, Saia Faingaa, Tatafu Polota-Nau.
Wallabies are one of the hot favourites team to win the 2011 RWC. However, their remaining 2011 Tri Nations encounter against the All Blacks, will can only prove whether they can claim to
be the top favourites to win the 2011 RWC.
Keeping in view their record of playing against All Blacks in New Zealand, Wallabies any knockout stage encounter against the All Blacks, will gurantee them an exit from the 2011 RWC.
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