The Wallabies touched down in London at the weekend, swapping the Australian spring for the cold, hard reality of their November tour of Great Britain and Ireland.
Coach Joe Schmidt has had nine Tests in charge, for four victories: two against Wales, one against Georgia and a single Rugby Championship win over Argentina. His squad remains a work in progress. But, 40 years on from the Wallabies’ historic 1984 Grand Slam tour, his players have their chance to write their own chapter.
In Europe, this tour is being billed as an audition for the British and Irish Lions series. The Wallabies have had their credentials heavily questioned by the British media, but they have a golden opportunity to silence their doubters.
Here’s how the four Tests shape up.
England (Sunday, November 10th, 2am AEST)
A difficult first date
Alongside Ireland, England present the toughest assignment for the Wallabies, and the battle at a packed Twickenham will set the tone for the tour. The English could easily have beaten the All Blacks on Saturday, with replacement five-eighth George Ford missing two late shots at goal in a 22-24 defeat.
England possess class throughout their squad, with starting five-eighth Marcus Smith bringing imagination and innovation to his back line, unlocking brilliant young winger Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, who combines international rugby with his medical studies.
England will provide the Wallabies with a daunting first Test.Credit: Getty
If England have a weakness, it is in their front row, which has been shorn of Joe Marler. The veteran questioned New Zealand’s haka on social media last week, then subsequently retired. Dan Cole is still coming off the bench at 37 years old, all of which means the Wallabies’ scrum should not be as exposed as it was during the Rugby Championship earlier this season.
England’s back row of Tom Curry, Chandler Cunningham-South and Ben Earl is extremely well-balanced and will easily match the Wallabies’ best combination of Fraser McReight, Rob Valetini and Harry Wilson.
Can the Wallabies win?
In an extremely tough start to the tour, England will be desperate to record a victory after coming so close against the All Blacks. A shock first-up win for the Wallabies is not impossible, but extremely unlikely.
Wales (Monday, November 18th, 3.10am AEST)
The must-win Test
After back-to-back victories over the Welsh in July, the Test in Cardiff will have been marked down on the Wallabies’ calendar with some confidence. Rugby is in turmoil in Wales, with the WRU having faced new allegations of sexism in the last week, less than a year after a highly critical independent review of its culture.
British media reported that the Welsh women’s team was threatened with being withdrawn from next year’s World Cup if players did not accept the union’s contract offer. The WRU has apologised, but maintains it is not a sexist organisation.
Taniela Tupou will be looking to dominate Wales after two wins already this year.Credit: Getty Images
Unlike the games against Scotland, Ireland and England which are all expected to sell out, there are still plenty of tickets available for Cardiff, which tells its own story.
Wales still possess some quality individuals. Captain Dewi Lake at hooker and back-rowers Jac Morgan and Aaron Wainwright help create a competitive pack, and they will be desperate for revenge against the Wallabies at home.
Can the Wallabies win?
Absolutely. Since July, Schmidt’s have been on an upwards trajectory, whereas Wales are still struggling for form and confidence. This Test could be the perfect time to unleash the talents of Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii as a starter.
Scotland (Monday, 25th November, 12.40am AEST)
Facing the entertainers
Scotland remain unpredictable on the field and on the form book. They finished fourth in the 2024 Six Nations, heroically defeating England in Edinburgh and then losing to Italy in Rome the very next week.
Head coach Gregor Townsend was a dynamic five-eighth capable of creating excitement whenever he touched the ball and he has imbued his own backline with a similar confidence. Saturday’s 57-17 record win over Fiji highlighted the Scots’ attacking ability, including centre Huw Jones, wingers Darcy Graham and Duhan van der Merwe and their captain, Australian-raised Sione Tuipulotu.
Finn Russell is a world-class conductor of his back line at five-eighth, but he also has a strong deputy in Adam Hastings. In the pack, a fascinating duel looms between tighthead prop Zander Fagerson and Angus Bell, while former Wallaby No.8 Jack Dempsey will want to remind his former teammates what they are missing out on.
Can the Wallabies win?
It won’t be easy at all given Scotland’s talents in the backline, but the Wallabies can definitely win this Test.
Ireland (Sunday, December 1, 2.10am)
Saving the worst for last
After three tough Test matches, likely on heavy fields against players desperate to stake their claims for a Lions squad berth, the Wallabies will face their hardest task of the tour against the Irish.
Despite another quarter-final World Cup exit at the hands of New Zealand, Ireland are currently ranked the best side in the world. Under incoming Lions coach Andy Farrell, they boast a consistent and battle-hardened squad.
The team is captained by No.8 Caelan Doris, who works seamlessly with his Leinster clubmate and openside breakaway Josh van der Flier to create havoc at the breakdown. The departure of long-time five-eighth Jonathan Sexton has opened the door for Munster’s Jack Crowley, who will benefit from Sexton’s addition to Ireland’s coaching staff for November.
The back line is talented and settled, underpinned by the steady hand of fullback Hugo Keenan. The centre combination of Bundee Aki and Garry Ringrose combines brain with brawn, and they will stretch the Wallabies’ defensive patterns to their limit.
Can the Wallabies win?
Two years ago, the Wallabies gave Ireland an almighty scare in a 13-10 defeat in Dublin. Schmidt built the platform that has allowed Ireland to thrive so fluently under Farrell. If Schmidt wins in Dublin, it will rank as his greatest achievement.
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