It wasn’t merely the victories over the Home Nations that immortalised this squad, but the way they achieved them - with innovation, audacity, and flair. It has been said that this class of Wallabies transformed rugby’s tactical landscape. Central to the revolution was Mark Ella, the mercurial fly-half whose instinctive play orchestrated Australia’s success, and who scored a try in each Test. As they clinched their victories against England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales, they embodied the essence of a team that dared to think differently.
Winning in the way that they did, the 1984 Wallabies reshaped perceptions of southern hemisphere rugby. Their 100 points across the four Tests was the highest scored by any team touring the UK and Ireland. Likewise, no touring team had scored as many as their 12 tries.
To cast your eye over their squad is to see the names of men who would go on to become some of the greatest players the game has seen, including David Campese and Michael Lynagh.
In this month's Autumn Nations Series, the Wallabies under Joe Schmidt appear to be getting on top of a different challenge: lifting themselves from the nadir of recent years to restore pride and ascendancy. Their Rugby Championship campaign earlier this year was eminently forgettable, but the team’s resurgence on this tour has ignited fresh optimism. Magnificent wins over England and Wales, characterised by disciplined defence and incisive counterattacks, suggest a side rediscovering its identity. When Schmidt first took on the job at the start of 2024, many questioned why the much-admired coach would take on such a thankless task. Instead, the Kiwi has galvanised his players, instilling belief while fostering tactical clarity. His leadership, coupled with a nucleus of seriously promising young players - including a new potential superstar of the game, Joseph Suaalii - offers hope that history could repeat itself in this symbolic anniversary year.
But what separates the Wallabies of 1984 from those of 2024 isn’t just the weight of expectation: it’s their journey. The ’84 team had already proven their mettle, with a win against the All Blacks before embarking on their Grand Slam tour. They played with the confidence of a team accustomed to winning. Today’s Wallabies, by contrast, have spent much of the past decade in the shadows of their rivals, grappling with questions about their identity and direction. That they’ve even positioned themselves to pursue a Grand Slam with spectacular victories against England and Wales speaks to the remarkable turnaround Schmidt has overseen in such a short time.
A game against Scotland in Edinburgh this Sunday - live on TNT Sports - offers another chance to gauge their mettle. Historically, the Scots have proven to be tricky opponents, and their dynamic backline will test Australia’s defence. A win, however, would further cement the belief that this team is more than just a work in progress. Forty years ago, Andrew Slack led his men to unprecedented heights. If this Wallabies squad can capture even a fraction of that magic, the journey ahead will be well worth watching.
As Australia’s rugby faithful reflect on the glorious echoes of 1984, they may find a poignant reminder that success isn’t just about talent or tactics. In Slack and Ella, the Wallabies had two leaders who saw the game not as it was but as it could be. Whether Schmidt’s Wallabies can achieve the same remains to be seen, but their ambition is clear: to honour the legacy of ’84 by forging their path to greatness.
Scotland v Australia, Sunday 24th November, 13:40 - live on TNT Sports.
