Rugby World Cup 2023 Preview: Australia

Thu, Sep 7, 2023, 6:38 AM
Nathan Williamson
by Nathan Williamson
The Wallabies welcomed the All Blacks to a packed MCG

Rugby World Cup 2023 is rapidly approaching, with less than a week until the opening game. Rugby.com.au examines every team's chances in France, looking at the Wallabies.

Australia will usher in a new era at this World Cup as Eddie Jones looks to weave his magic and deliver a third title.

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His tenure since taking over has yet to yield the desired results. However, the Wallabies are a team on the rise and have shown over the past 18 months they can compete with the best in the world.

Towering lock Will Skelton is set to make his debut as captain after being thrust into the role.

He will lead an inexperienced side full of energy and excitement as they look to take advantage of a promising draw to return to the semi-finals after 2019’s disappointments.

How they qualified

Finished second in their 2019 RWC Pool

Recent form

The Wallabies have had a slow start to 2023 under Jones

Their 2022 Spring Tour campaign delivered five close matches, claiming wins over Scotland and Wales whilst falling to Ireland, France and Italy.

This saw Dave Rennie dismissed and Jones brought back, starting his campaign with losses against South Africa and Argentina.

Further defeats to the All Blacks and France leave the Wallabies entering this tournament without a win since November 2022, although the second Bledisloe Test showed just how dangerous they can be on their day

Squad

Eddie Jones has made several huge calls as he announces the 33-player Wallabies squad for Rugby World Cup 2023 in France.

Co-captain Michael Hooper and Quade Cooper are among the exclusions, with Jones naming lock Will Skelton as captain.

18-year-old Max Jorgensen is the major bolter, selected after a dream season with the Waratahs. He is one of three uncapped players in the squad, with Brumbies prop Blake Schoupp and Western Force scrumhalf Issak Fines-Leleiwasa also earning a call-up.

Backs: Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, Tate McDermott, Nic White, Carter Gordon, Lalakai Foketi, Samu Kerevi, Izaia Perese, Jordan Petaia, Max Jorgensen, Andrew Kellaway, Marika Koroibete, Mark Nawaqaniawase, Suliasi Vunivalu

Forwards: Angus Bell, Pone Fa'amausili, Zane Nonggorr, Blake Schoupp, James Slipper, Taniela Tupou, Matt Faessler, David Porecki, Jordan Uelese, Richie Arnold, Nick Frost, Matt Philip, Will Skelton (c), Langi Gleeson, Tom Hooper, Rob Leota, Fraser McReight, Rob Valetini

Utility: Ben Donaldson, Josh Kemeny

X-Factor

Marika Koroibete has the talent to change a contest in an instant.

He’s an electric ball carrier with lightning speed and a world-class work-rate that has the winger popping up all over the field.

In defence, he can make crunching tackles that shut down attacks in an instant, just ask Makazole Mapimpi.

His partnership with Mark Nawaqanitawase is going to be crucial in breaking open games and sparking the Australian attack

Breakthrough Player to Watch

Carter Gordon has been given the ultimate vote of confidence by Eddie Jones, named as the only flyhalf in the squad.

Gordon has had a breakout season in 2023, lighting up Super Rugby with the Melbourne Rebels before his sudden call-up into the Wallabies side.

He embodies the ‘fast and fearless’ style of the  Rebels and brought it to the Bledisloe arena with considerable success against the Kiwis.

The 22-year-old heads to Europe as almost an unknown prospect but make no mistake, he won’t be by the time this tournament ends

World Cup history

Played: 53

Wins: 42

Loses: 11

Best Finish: Winners (1991, 1999)

Last Five World Cups

2019: Quarter Finals

2015: Second

2011: Third

2007: Quarter Finals

2003: Second

Game to watch - Wales

This is the game that will likely decide who finishes top in Pool D.

The two teams are designated to dance forever it seems at the World Cup. Wales took out their corresponding match in 2019 whilst the Wallabies went to Cardiff in 2015 and came away with a gutsy win.

The Wallabies have a psychological advantage from their last encounter in 2022, overcoming a major deficit to claim a famous victory.

Fixtures

Sun Sep 10 (2:00 AM): Australia v Georgia, Stade de France, Paris

Mon Sep 18 (1:45 AM): Australia v Fiji, Stade Geoffroy Guichard, Saint-Étienne

Mon Sep 25 (5:00 AM): Wales v Australia, OL Stadium, Lyon

Mon Oct 2 (2:45 AM): Australia v Portugal, Stade Geoffroy Guichard, Saint-Étienne

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