Wallabies assistant coach Nathan Grey believes the two-time world champions are well on course for the 2019 World Cup in Japan having overhauled their squad since the last tournament.
Doubts were raised about the quality of the latest generation of Australians when they lost to Scotland at the start of their 2017 international season, but Grey explained that they have been undergoing a process of assessment.
“I wouldn’t say we’re in transition (but) since the last World Cup I think 24 players have made their debuts, so things change over a short period of time. We have another tomorrow in Taniela Tupou,” he observed. “We’ve had mixed results, but when the team is on fire and delivering we are confident in how we can play. It’s a matter of getting players exposed and seeing how they perform at this level.”
That does not apply to former captain Stephen Moore who makes the last of 129 international appearances on the ground where he made his first Wallabies start in 2006 and Grey paid tribute to the hooker.
“He is a very good example to our younger players and new guys coming through. He shows how to be a real professional and last so long at this level. We are looking forward to playing well for Steve tomorrow,” he said.
Meetings between Scotland and Australia have become much more keenly contested that 2006 match which the Wallabies won 44-15, with no more than a score separating the sides since and Grey reckoned that is symptomatic of how the sport is changing globally.
“It is world rugby in its totality,” he said. “Lots of teams are becoming really close. There’s not such a big gap between teams anymore. You look at the teams coming over to Australia and playing very well. You’re playing against each other a bit more regularly which is great, you get to see what each other is doing and have that bit more understanding. In coaching it becomes difficult but more enjoyable in trying to pull teams apart and see where you can identify weaknesses because there’s not many in many teams these days.”
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