The Wallabies have emerged as contenders for next year’s Rugby World Cup as they look to extend a five-match unbeaten run when they face the All Blacks, with lock Jeremy Williams declaring Australia can end a 27-year wait and win the Webb Ellis Cup at home. The final tickets for next year’s global tournament went on sale on Thursday, marking one year until the opening match between the Wallabies and Hong Kong in Perth. More than half of the 2.5m tickets have already been sold, including 43% to overseas purchasers.
Australia are now sixth in the world rankings, three years after they dropped to their lowest of 10th after their elimination from the 2023 World Cup at the pool stage. Williams was instrumental in helping the Wallabies defeat world champions South Africa – albeit an experimental XV – in Perth on Sunday. Former Wallaby Tim Horan, who won the World Cup in both 1991 and 1999, said the tournament was wide open, with any of the top 10 sides in the world a chance to win.
I think what Les is doing, the style and the brand of the Wallabies are tracking pretty well for the World Cup in a year’s time,” he said. Kiss himself said he and the players are remaining focused on the short term, though he recognised the team’s positive trajectory, which has included a first series win in Argentina and Sunday’s dramatic 42-38 victory over the Springboks. Following a winless series against the Springboks, the All Blacks are looking to avoid four consecutive losses for the first time since 1998.
The Wallabies have not defeated their trans-Tasman rivals in six years however, and are missing the suspended centre Hunter Paisami. Lock Josh Canham and centre Len Ikitau are in doubt with injuries. Prop Taniela Tupou and flanker Tom Hooper will also be absent, having returned to their clubs in Europe.
Uncapped Toby Macpherson, 22, has been called into the squad as cover for both lock and back row. Ahead of the NRL grand final – the rugby league farewell match for Roosters’ duo Mark Nawaqanitawase and Angus Crichton before their moves to union – Kiss said nobody has been promised a place in the Wallabies lineup.
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