Coming off a difficult year and looking to rekindle the spirit of their legendary 1984 Grand Slam tour, they’ll face all four Home Nations, starting with England at Twickenham this Saturday - a game for which anticipation and intensity are peaking. Here’s a look at what the Australian media is saying as they dissect the Wallabies’ prospects, praise potential star power, and weigh the slim possibility of another historic grand slam, 40 years after the last.
Baptism of fire: Suaalii’s debut on the line
One of the biggest headlines in Australia has been the inclusion of rugby league star Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, 21, in the Wallabies squad, a call that has set opinions ablaze. Fox Sports is cautiously optimistic, noting that Suaalii has the potential to add a new spark, yet some critics are sceptical about his ability to transition smoothly to international rugby union.
Morgan Turinui, a former Wallaby centre and respected pundit, went as far as saying that Joe Schmidt, the Wallabies coach, should throw Suaalii in for his debut against England, arguing that his strength and versatility could be critical against the English defence. Some critics view the move as a risky bet, while others see it as a fresh infusion of athleticism into a squad still struggling to find its identity. According to The Australian, Suaalii’s debut may be perfectly timed, giving him the exposure and Test-match pressure he needs to grow within a struggling team .
Brace for England’s kicking and blitz defence
The English threat looms large, with much of the Australian media zeroing in on how the Wallabies can counter their formidable opponents. The Age’s Paul Cully warns that Australia will need to be sharp in the air, especially with England’s box-kicking strategy and relentless line speed. "Nail your high-ball work and there’ll be chances," he wrote, cautioning that any slip-ups could lead to a long afternoon for the Wallabies .
Cully points out that while England's aggressive line speed is a challenge, it also opens up spaces, particularly on the edges, for a skilful attack to exploit. While we're still waiting for the Joe Schmidt effect to full take hold with this Wallabies time, it's surely only a matter of time.
A Grand Slam to aspire to – or an uphill battle?
The spectre of the Wallabies’ 1984 Grand Slam tour has not gone unnoticed. Jonathan Drennan of The Sydney Morning Herald writes that while a grand slam is the dream, the Wallabies must navigate immense challenges, especially against England and Ireland, ranked fifth and first in the world respectively (Australia are ninth). “Forty years on from the Wallabies’ historic 1984 Grand Slam tour, [Schmidt’s] players have their chance to write their own chapter,” Drennan muses, reminding fans of the significance of the upcoming tour .
Is isn't the greatest time to be drawing parallels between the Wallabies of today and those of 1984, with all the expectations and the doubts surrounding the Wallabies’ current form. With only four victories under Schmidt’s tenure, a grand slam could prove challenging, but even just two victories from four would signal meaningful progress for Australian rugby.
Irish Test looms as the ultimate challenge
If England are the Wallabies' first test, thenIreland are undoubtedly their toughest. Sydney Morning Herald's breakdown of the Irish squad paints a daunting picture. In particular, the combination of Caelan Doris and Josh van der Flier in the back row is noted as one that will stretch Australia’s capabilities to the limit. The Australian media sees this test as Schmidt's most challenging game on tour. It’s more than just a match, after all: it’s personal, as Schmidt will be facing off against a team he coached to such great success.
While the Wallabies narrowly losing in Dublin two years ago, this tour presents a different scenario: the absence of Jonathan Sexton is mitigated by his presence in the coaching staff, lending invaluable insight to the Irish side and adding another layer of intrigue to what is already shaping up to be a thrilling encounter.
Crucial chances to rebuild confidence
The Wallabies are also set to face Wales and Scotland, two sides with contrasting strengths and vulnerabilities. Wales, under scrutiny and on a bad losing streak, represent an opportunity for the Wallabies to clinch a win. "This Test [against Wales] could be the perfect time to unleash the talents of Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii as a starter," one report speculates, suggesting this match might be Australia’s best chance for a confidence-boosting victory on tour .
Scotland, on the other hand, represent a less predictable challenge in their eyes. The flair of players like Finn Russell and Duhan van der Merwe makes them dangerous in attack, and their record-equalling winning streak over England earlier in the Championship this year proves they can be formidable on their home turf. The Australian media, however, remains slightly hopeful that the Wallabies have an edge against the Scots. Having won their previous encounter against them in Edinburgh in 2002, also an Autumn Nations Series match, they might also consider that before that it was Scotland who had prevailed in the three previous encounters.
Facing the critics
In the face of a critical press back home, the Wallabies have a golden opportunity to reverse the narrative. As one publication commented, “This tour is being billed as an audition for the British and Irish Lions series,” and Schmidt’s squad knows that even a single win could have transformative effects on morale. Although the 2024 Autumn Nations Series is not without its challenges, the Wallabies' journey through the UK and Ireland offers the potential to reignite belief in Australian rugby and start rewriting their story. It's just going to be one heck of a challenge, that's all.
England v Australia, Saturday 9th November, 15:00, Allianz Stadium. Live on TNT Sports.
