Fighting fit why the Wallabies are in their best shape since the 2015 World Cup

You have to go back to the Rugby World Cup in 2015 to find the Wallabies in a better spot, after back-to-back wins against the world champions. Specifically, you have to go back to those Wallabies wins against England and Wales in 2015, on consecutive weekends at Twickenham.

The same fight that was evident in that tournament was evident in Brisbane. For evidence of that, look no further to how the Wallabies dominated the wide rucks against the Boks - beating South Africa to the ball in terms of numbers and sheer work rate. Dave Rennie said his side were fitter - a big claim to go public with - and they were. It was a night of significant vindication for the entire Wallabies coaching setup.

2. Pay from the big men

At the start of the season, Rennie also made it clear he wanted more from his tight forwards in terms of ball playing. We all know Taniela Tupou has those skills, but Angus Bell and Folau Fainga’a also got in on the act with some soft hands.

It was a huge point of difference compared to the Springboks, who are at risk of being badly exposed by the All Blacks unless they find a way to turn things around quickly.

Bell’s role in Marika Koroibete’s first try was also significant, because it reflected the excellent value the Wallabies got from their bench. Tate McDermott and Pete Samu did exactly what was needed: they kept the pace up.

3. Quade Cooper delivers again

He didn’t attract the headlines this week, but Cooper was probably even better on his ‘home’ ground. His tactical kicking was excellent, as he often split the backfield coverage by finding space down the middle, and his tackling was committed and accurate. He is in the zone, and the fullback issue created by Tom Banks’ injury is probably not as severe as it could have been with the No 10 playing with such control. Rennie will know if James O’Connor is ready from a fitness point of view at No 15, but Reece Hodge’s mixed bag off the bench may have advanced O’Connor’s case.

4. The Wallabies’ tackle techniques that need work

There was an agonising moment when it appeared that Lachlan Swinton was going to be shown a red car for an upright tackle on Duane Vermeulen, despite World Rugby’s head contact process indicating a yellow card was sufficient. Yet, that should not stop there being renewed scrutiny on the No 6’s tackle technique - and he is not the only guilty party.

Australia’s Lachlan Swinton leaves the field after he was shown a yellow card against the Springboks.Credit:AP

Hooker Folau Fainga’a was shown a yellow card last week for a low, no arms tackle and did exactly the same thing in Brisbane by launching himself at Eben Etzebeth’s lower limbs in the first half. Fainga’a had an excellent game, but he was lucky the officials did not take a closer look at the incident. Both the hooker and No 6 need to refine their tackling technique because playing with 14 men is far too big a burden.

5. ‘NZ Super teams wouldn’t financially survive in our system’

Kiwi Force chief executive Tony Lewis knows the Super Rugby landscape on both sides of the ditch better than anyone. On Friday, he gave the Herald some real insights into why Australia might struggle against the Kiwis. For Lewis, it’s not the playing talent, it’s the coaching pathways, and second it’s the funding. Lewis said the Force get the same amount from RA as other Australian teams - “not quite $4.5 million”.

The Kiwis teams’ baseline budget is bigger than that, plus they get a coach and assistant coach, while further player payment incentives are available through the NPC - all paid for by NZ Rugby. “I look with envy over in New Zealand, and where they’re basically I think it’s about 130 per cent salary cap,” Lewis said. “So I think the perfect model is...the national body should cover all salaries, plus a soft,cap of head coach, assistant coach, doctor. I think if the New Zealand teams had to work on our model, they wouldn’t financially survive.“

Team of the Week

1 Joe Moody (New Zealand)

2 Samisoni Taukei’aho (New Zealand)

3 Taniela Tupou (Australia)

4 Izack Rodda (Australia)

5 Tupou Vaa’i (New Zealand)

6 Ethan Blackadder (New Zealand)

7 Michael Hooper (Australia)

8 Hoskins Sotutu (New Zealand)

9 TJ Perenara (New Zealand)

10 Quade Cooper (Australia)

11 Marika Koroibete (Australia)

12 Samu Kerevi (Australia)

13 Len Ikitau (Australia)

14 Will Jordan (New Zealand)

15 Jordie Barrett (New Zealand)

Stan Sport is the only place to watch every match of the The Rugby Championship continuing this Saturday with the All Blacks v South Africa followed by the Wallabies v Argentina â€" both matches streaming live, extended and ad-free on Stan Sport from 4:45pm AEST.

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