Jeremy Paul column

Jeremy Paul unpicks all the positives for the Wallabies after a dramatic Test series win over France last month.

The former Wallabies hooker gives his old team plenty of ticks for their 2-1 series win over France last month and argues that they can push the All Blacks in this month’s Bledisloe Cup.

French rugby has blossomed over the last few years, with talent across the field reinvigorating the classical French style of flamboyance, leading to sublime moments of skill that serge blanco or Philippe sella would be proud of.

so no doubt punters are hearing little whispers that Les bleus might win their first Rugby World Cup in 2023. With that in mind, French coach Fabien Galthié brought an inexperienced side Down under, but any player would relish the opportunity to once again play international rugby. I still can’t imagine, however, what it would be like playing at that level in front of an empty stadium.

With Covid-19 restrictions placed on Greater Western Sydney before the first Test, all three games were moved to brisbane and Melbourne, rescheduled to be played within an 11-day window.

so, after the chaos, what would Dave rennie want to achieve?

The impact of Dan Mckellar as forwards coach was instrumental. After achieving great success with the brumbies, the wallabies assistant coach immediately imprinted his DNA all over this forward pack, with his practical application to process and detail required at set-piece, while increasing their work-rates to match the class of their skipper Michael Hooper. James slipper and Brandon Paenga-amosa were standouts, while Taniela Tupou is far more effective off the bench as his impact in the later stages is enormous and game-changing. Lukhan SalakaiaLoto is stepping closer each game to replicating his state coach brad Thorn’s style of play, with tough ball carries and a ‘don’t argue’ defence, but he was pleasingly overshadowed by the debutant Darcy swain, with a stellar game three performance, especially at lineout time, which was the major contributing factor for a 14-man Wallaby win.

The back-row looks mean and angry, with an appetite for work, with rob Valetini, Isi naisarani and Lachlan swinton seeming destined to battle out the no 6 role to balance out Hooper and the increasingly impressive Harry wilson to give rennie a massive boost of confidence leading into the Bledisloe Cup series.

Tate Mcdermott has to start and get more experience, because this kid has skills. Wow, his service off the deck is world-class, but his vision is years ahead of where he should be due to his natural talent, especially around the ruck, with Navy Seal-like sniper attacks leaving the French absolutely bamboozled at times.

Noah Lolesio can own the No 10 jersey for a decade if he continues to play the way he did over the series, especially his goalkicking. remember, goalkicking wins World Cups! Teaming up with Mcdermott on the inside and Hunter Paisami at 12 could see the birth of something special, which leaves another rookie who impressed in his first year at the brumbies, Len Ikitau. He will only get better with more time on the pitch.

‘The back-row looks mean and angry, with an appetite for work.’

The back three were anchored by Tom banks, who for years has been underperforming at Test level, so hopefully his form continues into the next campaign.

Marika Koroibete became a spectator after five minutes in game three, which made the win that much sweeter as he was again Australia’s best in the first two games, with an extraordinary work-rate and willingness to inject himself wherever he was needed.

so, what would rennie’s checklist be leading into the Bledisloe Cup?

A Test series win to boost confidence: TICK. The blooding of young players into the Test arena: TICK. A world-class set-piece: TICK. Competitive for 80 minutes: TICK. Overcoming adversity: TICK, TICK and TICK again with a 14-man win for 75 minutes.

In place of the injured James O’connor, Noah Lolesio cut a more mature figure for the wallabies last month.