New Zealand media and Sir Graham Henry shower Wallabies with praise
Staff writers
FOX SPORTS
October 06, 2015 11:22AM
NEW Zealand’s leading news websites have placed the Wallabies atop their World Cup power rankings and Sir Graham Henry, the architect of the All Blacks’ 2011 triumph, has labelled Australia the “ones to watch” ahead of the quarterfinals.
The Kiwis have taken note of the Wallabies’ stirring performance against England and are wondering aloud whether Michael Cheika’s men are challenging their beloved All Blacks for the mantle of World Cup favourites.
Dylan Cleaver, writing in the New Zealand Herald, ranked Australia at No 1 in his World Cup power rankings, one ahead of New Zealand.
“Who would Rankings pick if the Wallabies met the All Blacks at Twickenham tomorrow?” Cleaver wrote.
“A draw, perhaps. This is fence-sitting at its worst but Australia get the No 1 slot because they played very well under the harsh spotlight (though you could argue that it was only England who were under death-stare pressure).”
Liam Napier, writing for Fairfax New Zealand, also placed the Wallabies atop his power rankings ahead of South Africa and the All Blacks.
“Up to second in the world [in the official world rankings] and rightly so,” Napier wrote.
“Simply superb in knocking out England. The 33-13 scoreline aptly reflects their dominance, other than a fleeting period in the second half.
“After rolling the All Blacks in Sydney most knew then that Australia were genuine World Cup contenders. Now they’ve blown their cover. Finally, they have a competitive set piece. And they’ve never lacked for brilliant backs.
“In David Pocock they have the world’s best breakdown forward; in Bernard Foley an orchestrator capable of handling consuming pressure. The major question mark is depth. Halfback Nick Phipps is a liability. Can they cover key injuries?”
Kiwi praise for the Wallabies flowed from higher sources than newspaper power rankings.
Henry — who coached Wales and the British & Irish Lions before leading the All Blacks to 88 wins from 103 Tests as coach — was effusive in his praise of the Australians after their victory over England at Twickenham.
“Other teams will now take note of Australia and the work being done by Michael Cheika and his quality coaching team who have addressed weaknesses,” Henry wrote.
“England now have to conduct the post-mortem. As I know from 2007, it is extremely difficult and demanding on everyone, not pretty at all.
He concluded: “With most of the quarterfinalists decided, Australia are ones to watch. South Africa have recovered from losing to Japan but they appear back to their old ways, more brawn than skill, high in their carries (and tackles) all game against Scotland and slow to get the ball away. They are distinctly beatable and the Scots may come to regret not selecting their best team. Samoa have been one of the big disappointments of the tournament and with the pool of death having suffered an early fatality, attention this weekend will be on the group that has shown how the sands in the game may be shifting.”
But not all across the ditch are convinced the Wallabies are a genuine threat to the All Blacks’ World Cup defence.
Partrick McKendry, writing in the New Zealand Herald, said the 33-13 result at Twickenham was more down to English ineptitude than Wallabies brilliance.
He also suggested the Australians could enter the finals fatigued after a bruising journey through their “pool of death”.
“The Wallabies were good,” McKendry wrote.
“They took their chances and in Pocock, Hooper and Israel Folau they have three world-class players — they made a mockery of Danny Cipriani’s ridiculous assertion that no Australian would make the England line-up.
“But the No 1 ranked All Blacks probably would have stayed with them because they are several levels above the No 6 ranked England — more so than their rankings suggest.
“Australia, who next weekend play Wales at Twickenham before their quarter-final, will be dangerous opponents in the knockout rounds, but will they feel the effects of the Pool of Death if they make the final? All Blacks coach Steve Hansen suggests yes, just as Wales would.”
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