Australia runs the very real risk of missing out at this World Cup. Let’s see why.
I am a big fan of Eddie Jones and I believe his style of coaching and the success he had with England for a long time, will help Australia in France.
There are a couple of outstanding players for Australia that can really turn a game on its head but I don’t think that would be enough.
Here are the reasons why I think they might fall short:
No Michael Hooper or Quade Cooper – Quade was left out of the squad, which was a little shocking if you take into account his experience and steadily improving form over the past year. The absence of Michael Hooper, an icon in Australian rugby leaves a hole that the massive Skelton probably can’t even fill.
One flyhalf – They will only be taking Carter Gordon to the World Cup. By the time the tournament starts, he would only have racked up half a dozen caps. That is next-level insanity.
Inexperience – 16 of the players will go into the World Cup either uncapped or with less than 10 caps to their name. Will Skelton, who I really enjoy as a player, also suddenly is now the captain in place of James Slipper.
Strange decisions to say the least and very difficult to predict how this will all turn out. They are lucky with the pool draw they have and their quarter-final opponents but it would be shocking to see them get past the semis.
