Max Anderson
Fast Facts
Players: 482,897 RWC Results: Champions 1991, 1999 Runner up 2003, third 2011, fourth 1987, quarters 1995, 2007 IRB World Ranking: 4th 84.53 Best Result 2014: Vs France 50-23 Coach: Michael Cheika Captain: Michael Hooper
Culture
There are just fewer than 483,000 rugby union players in Australia. Much like many other commonwealth English imperial settlers, who brought a ball with them on their journey, brought nations rugby to Australia. Since then Rugby has ingrained itself in Australian culture. Just as Rugby became a part of Australian culture Australian culture became a part of rugby and they often changed the game to fit their nature. Australians are generally very confident people they grow up in a culture where outspokenness is accepted and individually Australians are often very imaginative and proud, it was because of this that the Australians changed rugby to suit themselves. From Rugby spawned other sports such as rugby league, flag rugby, and Australia's national sport Aussie rules. Additionally this Australian pride spawned fierce rivalry between different states and provinces however an Australian is always open to a bit of banter.
Play Style
Much like their sporting culture, and personalities, Australian rugby is all about confidence, and trying things on attack. Although consistently strong in the international game Australian used to lack the thorough systems of their southern hemisphere rivals. In the past few years’ Australian super rugby teams have been consistently improving. Traditionally underwhelming teams such as the Brumbies, and the Waratahs have made the most of young squads and enthusiastic coaches in order to become regular finalists in the tournament. Furthermore teams such as the Western Force, Queensland Reds, and Melbourne Rebels have come a long way in their relatively short super rugby tenures in order to become well-respected and competitive teams that could go all the way. The impact on the international squad has been duly noted and there is now a lot more passion, youth, exuberance, and excitement about their style of play. However despite all of these old stereotypes still haunt the Wallabies and there is a downfall to having a young squad. Aussie club forward packs may be earning a bit of respect, however it is a different story at test level. The Australian forward pack is full of maneuverable players although their set piece still remains the target for a number of teams and will be under scrutiny when facing the traditionalist, and physical packs of teams such as England and Wales in the pool stages. Moreover this extremely youthful Wallabies side are still yet to earn their stripes, experience counts for everything in the final stages of a RWC and from some of the choices the Wallabies have made in their past few games its obvious the Aussies will have to learn fast. Australia have had their fair share of controversy with coach Ewen Mckenzie stepping down in 2014, whoever attains the coaching job come world cup time will have to play his cards carefully leading up to the tournament. The Autumn tours and the rugby championship will be important times for the Wallabies if they don't blood enough talent now they are bound to suffer the consequences at the RWC.