Will This be the Australian Team at the 2019 World Cup?

The Wallabies caught much of the Rugby World off guard with their unprecedented run to the World Cup. That said, with many experienced names joining the exodus to France, will the Wallabies have the quality in 2019 to go one better? We have had another look, and here are the Wallabies we expect to see in Japan four years from now.

1. Scott Sio:

The Brumbies prop was a huge asset for Australia throughout the tournament. He won battles against the likes of Dan Cole, Samson Lee, and Ramiro Herrera, while also keeping himself involved in open play. At 28 years old, he will be a wise head for the Wallabies, but he will be nowhere near slowing down.

2. Tolu Latu:

When the Super Rugby season began, few could predict that the Waratahs would have no problems while Tatafu Polota-Nau recovered from concussion, yet the form of Latu offered them a more than capable deputy. Latu will be 26 and in the prime of his career by then, giving him a golden opportunity over the next few years.

3. Sekope Kepu:

Its a big assumption that Kepu will still be around, but there are no other candidates that can really be considered at this point in time. Kepu has emerged as a rock of the Wallaby scrum, but its his work in open play that really stands out. Kepu has great hands and is a capable distributor, skills that made him a lethal weapon in the World Cup.

4. Rory Arnold:

The Brumbies lock impressed in his debut season, and he would give the Wallabies a major boost in the lineout, an area that has given them trouble in recent memory. Will Skelton’s power and hands make him a hard player to leave out, but he limits the Wallabies lineout options, and his ability to go 80 minutes remains questionable.

5. Kane Douglas:

6 Months ago, I wouldn’t have put Douglas in the side for this year’s World Cup, but after his great performances, I think he will be in the reckoning for some time. Douglas offers set-piece solidity as well as a physical edge that the Wallabies pack lacked for so long. His torn hamstring may be a problem, but if he can recover well, Douglas could be a key leader for the Wallabies in 2019.

6. Liam Gill:

The 23 year old impressed this season for the Reds, and is widely considered to be a future star for Queensland. A real old fashioned type of flanker, Gill does no end of work around the field, and is a like for like replacement for Scott Fardy. Gill may not be at the same level as David Pocock is now, but he is as close as it is possible to get at the moment.

7. Michael Hooper ⓒ:

With another bold assumption, I am guessing David Pococks style of play will have taken its toll by the time he is 31. Hooper is the current 7 for the Wallabies, and he has already made a name for himself. His dominant physicality and pace have made him one of the most feared flankers in our game at the moment.

8. Sean McMahon:

The 21 year old is one of Australian rugby’s brightest stars, and he has taken every chance the Wallabies have given him with both hands. Like Hooper, McMahon is an outstanding athlete and a devastating tackler. We already know that Wycliff Palu is calling it quits, and I don’t think that Pocock will be around in 2019, giving McMahon just the chance he needs to make the 8 shirt his own.

9. Nic Stirzaker:

The orange haired scrum half has continued to make an impression with the Rebels with his quick service and quicker feet. The 24 year old might not be the biggest name now, but I suspect Michael Cheika will look to develop him as the next tournament approaches.

10. Jack Debreczeni:

Bear with me here, Christian Lealiifano will be 32, Matt Toomua will not have the required 60 caps while he is at Leicester, and Bernard Foley will be 30. 22 year old Debreczeni exploded onto the scene in Super Rugby this year, and I think that should he continue to develop, Michael Cheika will want to keep the chemistry between him and Stirzaker, as well as give himself a more long term option at 10.

11. Andrew Kellaway:

The 20 year old scored 10 tries at the 2014 Junior World Championship, and has continued to feature for the U20’s, while also gaining inclusion in the Waratahs set up. With the likes of Taqele Naiyaravoro, and Peter Betham leaving for France, as well as Israel Folau being moved into the centers, it looks as though Kellaway may be primed for his breakout season as a professional.

12. Kyle Godwin:

The 23 year old was a shining light for the force throughout the season, and his vast array of skillsets make him a great option for the Wallabies looking forward. His defence is as solid as a rock, and his stellar distribution really opens up space for those outside him. This is of course dependant on the development of Samu Kerevi, but I think Cheika may be more comfortable with Kerevi in the 13 jersey, allowing Godwin’s distribution to open the game a bit more.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9KHYdwdDwUY

13. Tevita Kuridrani:

At just 24 years old, it seems that Tevita Kuridrani will be at the heart of the Wallabies set up for the foreseeable future. A remarkable athlete, Kuridrani can beat defenders with pace, power, agility, or an offload, which makes him a very difficult player to control. He will be challenged by young Samu Kerevi, who seems to get better and better every time he plays.

14. Rob Horne:

Looking through Michael Cheika’s selections in the back three over the years, there is a noticable trend. AAC, Shane Horgan, Taqele Naiyaravoro, Luke Fitzgerald, all are very physical in attack and defense, and all are rather large. In the 2009 Heineken Cup semi-final, it was Fitzgerald’s hit on Doug Howlett that set the tone for Leinster. AAC played like a man possessed in defence at the World Cup. With this in mind, the physical style of play that Rob Horne loves will suit Cheika down to the ground.

15. Dane Haylett-Petty:

I’d be surprised if Israel Folau was still in union at the next World Cup, and it’s hard to see Kurtley Beale still being quite the same attacking force in 2019. With that in mind, it looks as though young Dane Haylett-Petty will be at the back for the Wallabies in Japan. The explosive 22 year old was a sensation for the Force this season, with his pace and step making him a major threat at all times.

A lot of tough calls in that squad, and I think that the Wallabies will be more than competitive at the next World Cup. They have built a core of good, experienced players, and the young men in the setup at the moment should be set to gain from their collective wisdom, a dangerous prospect for the brooding Northern Hemisphere sides.