In March this year the Wallabies dipped to their lowest place ever in the World Rugby rankings, sixth. After a period that was defined by losses, tension, unrest and negative speculation, it was a disappointing and emotional time experienced by each player in the Wallabies camp, a feeling that penetrated elsewhere amongst Australia’s professional rugby ranks.
Fast forward just seven months and the Wallabies are now sitting second in the World rankings, just 1.92 points behind their one and only Rugby World Cup Final opponents, and historic rivals, New Zealand.
At number two, Australia currently sit a considerable 5.73 points ahead of third placed South Africa and 7.51 points ahead of Argentina, who proved strong competition for Australia in the Rugby World Cup semi-final.
The Wallabies’ jump from sixth to second this year reflects the enormity of their efforts across the last 12 months.
Together with recently named World Rugby Coach of the Year, Michael Cheika, Stephen Larkham, Nathan Grey and the entire coaching and medical team, the Wallabies have had one of their most successful seasons in years.
Looking further into their cultural backgrounds and individual personalities, the Wallaby players have quite notably used their differences to become Stronger As One, a tagline that has become much more than just a hashtag.
Despite all the critics and the doubters, Stronger As One is now a true reflection of the players, who, through the trials and tribulations, have emerged as a positive and unified group of talented and brave individuals bound by the true values of rugby, friendship, trust, integrity and passion.
Their attitudes and dedication both on and off the field genuinely show that the honour of being amongst the few selected to represent Australia in the Gold jersey truly means something. And that has clearly transpired into positive results, with The 2015 Rugby Championship title and that unbelievable victory over New Zealand in the first Bledisloe earlier in the year.
The players continued to inspire supporters worldwide with their perseverance throughout their Rugby World Cup campaign.
Despite a gruelling seven weeks of non-stop Tests and training, the Wallabies fought their way through the “Pool-of-Death” winning every single match against tough opponents including Uruguay, Fiji, England, Wales, Scotland, and Argentina, making their spot in the Final big dance against their historic rivals, New Zealand well deserved.
In the end, the Wallabies won 10 out of their 12 Tests this year, losing the two to New Zealand in the second Bledisloe and the Rugby World Cup Final at the weekend. A huge feat considering the Kiwis’ historic and lengthy success atop the World Rugby ranking.
As the international Test season comes to a close, RUPA would like to take the opportunity to congratulate the Wallabies and Michael Cheika on a truly remarkable 12 months. Together with the entire Australian rugby community, we’re looking forward to a new and exciting future for the Wallabies.
From six to two in the World Rankings in 2015, imagine what 2016 can bring. But, regardless of the results, the Wallabies and the coaching team should be commended for their ability to put adversity behind them and become a group of highly-regarded individuals who have made their country extremely proud.
