Rugby Championship: Waratahs’ Success Is Cause For Wallabies’ Optimism [VIDEO]
If the new found success of New South Wales Waratahs is any indication that the Wallabies will perform well in the upcoming Rugby Champonships, the Aussies will take all the positive signs they can get.
The Aussies have ten Waratahs on the roster including seven on the starting lineup as they face New Zealand to start the games in Sydney on Saturday. The Wallabies are hoping to put to a halt to New Zealand's more than a decade domination of the Trans-Tasman Bledisloe Cup and they are counting on their Waratahs to put them over the hump.
Yahoo! Sports reports that the Waratahs have recorded dismal finishes in the last two Super Rugby seasons - a forgettable 11th and ninth in the two previous seasons. They turned a new leaf this season surprising everybody by placing first in the southern hemisphere provincial competition, seven points ahead of their nearest competition. They even edged the Crusaders by a solitary point in the final game to claim their first Super victory. The Wallabies are hoping that the success would translate to international tournaments.
This early, Wallabies coach Ewan Mckenzie has already shaken the lineup, putting in Kurtley Beale at flyhalf replacing Bernard Foley. He is hoping that the alteration will give a new kick into the team's attack and give a new dimension to the team.
"One of the things I've learned in this business is if you just sit there and look at the scoreboard, you can make lots of really simple decisions based on what the scoreboard was," McKenzie said. "But we recognized that playing France in June is different to playing the All Blacks in August. Against the All Blacks, you've got to go out there and have a crack ... we need to take a few risks."
The All Blacks are not staying out either despite sweeping England last June in a three test series. Coach Steve Hansen also surprised everyone when he chose Ben Smith at fullback instead of tested Israel Dagg. It was understandable to bring Dagg back slowly given that the fullback has just recovered from a right knee injury but now that he is ready and healthy to go, the change came as a minor bombshell to observers.
This Saturday will be the first of three matches for the Bledisloe Cup. The second game is slated for the following weekend and will be held in Aukland. The third game, although no longer included in the Rugby Championship is scheduled on Oct. 8 at Brisbane.
Come Saturday, we will know if the new found success of the Waratah will be enough to topple the 11-year dominance of New Zealand and if they can replicate these types of attacks:
(Video Courtesy of: Youtube/FOX SPORTS AUSTRALIA)