Can Australia win the World Cup? Yes, but many would laugh at me.
They have all the potential but they also have so many hurdles to overcome.
If you have a look at how their teams performed in Super Rugby in 2023, they were impressive at times and there is a ton of talent across the park.
Since the start of 2022, they have lost more than they have won. They did however push the All Blacks close with a 37-39 loss in 2022 and lost to Ireland by 13-10.
Eddie Jones is going to be their trump card in my opinion. When he took over, England had just bowed out of the World they were hosting without getting out of the group stages!
At the next World Cup, England played in the final!
It is true that he has had a lot less time with this Australian side but in the last two matches, you could see progress in the team. He likes to play some phases hard in closer channels and Australia has enough big guys to support that style of play.
Out wide, they have match-winning Marika Koroibete who can open up defenses and finish with the best of them.
The past weekend was however a bit disastrous for them and their props. Allan Alaalatoa ruptured an Achilles and is out of the World Cup. Taniela Tupou was also clearly in a lot of pain with a suspected rib injury. If it is broken, it is going to be tough for him to be ready by the time the World Cup rolls around.
They do however have some exciting talent at number 10 with Quade Cooper getting back to top form. Carter Gordon is still untested but has shown flashes of brilliance himself.
Australia is going to be more of a long shot for the World Cup but stranger things have happened.