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London: On Sunday, across England, the clocks moved back an hour, ushering in the months of cold and darkness that lie ahead.
The Wallabies also arrived in the United Kingdom, and one couldn’t be blamed for rewinding the clock nearly 12 months to the day the Wallabies defeated England at Twickenham. A magical no-look flick pass from Len Ikitau and a match-winning try that announced Max Jorgensen to the world are the lasting memories.
Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii also marked his first game of professional rugby with a man of the match performance. Anything seemed possible.
Now, after a successful pit-stop in Japan that stretched the squad’s depth, Saturday’s Test against England brings both possibility and pressure for a Wallabies team desperate to regain rhythm.
The Wallabies outfit that silenced Twickenham last year is a different proposition to this year’s squad, with two of the key architects of that victory unavailable for selection. Ikitau and fullback Tom Wright are almost impossible to replace.
In attack, both men can create something from nothing with their running games. Defensively, they provide vital organisational duties on top of their individual skills.
The Len Ikitau flick pass for the Wallabies’ match-winner against England.Credit: Stan Sport
Ikitau is playing his club rugby for English club Exeter and won’t play this Saturday, but is expected to be available to travel to Italy the following week. Wright is recovering from the ACL injury he suffered in Cape Town against South Africa.
Five-eighth Noah Lolesio and halfback Tate McDermott are also enduring long periods of injury rehabilitation, depriving the squad of experience in positions where it’s most needed.
The current Australian stock of playmakers is thin, with Carter Gordon just back from the NRL and competing with Tane Edmed to start against England at five-eighth. The winner of that jersey faces a tough examination after England coach Steve Borthwick included George Ford, Fin Smith and Marcus Smith in his squad, which was announced on Sunday.
Gordon provides Test experience, skill, and a tough physical presence, but needs to recalibrate his body and mind back to rugby. Twickenham is not an easy first assignment.
Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii on the charge for the Wallabies against England.Credit: Getty Images
On a positive note for the tourists, England will run into a different Suaalii. The former NRL player benefited from being an unknown quantity in Test rugby last year. Coach Joe Schmidt’s decision to deploy the former Australian schools high jump champion to challenge England aerially last year caused chaos. This year, after a gruelling British and Irish Lions series, Suaalii’s array of talents are known by England’s players and coaching staff.
The surprise factor may have gone, but Suaalii is now a more complete footballer. Schmidt took a gamble by playing Suaalii at outside centre on debut, but gradually, the player has grown in confidence in the role. Jorgensen is one such man who dovetails perfectly with Suaalii.
Two months ago, Jorgensen celebrated his 21st birthday, not long after scoring two tries in the two Tests in South Africa. His body of work at Test level has already impressed.
There is a more settled look to the Wallabies’ forward pack, despite the injuries to second-rowers Josh Canham and Lukhan Salakaia-Loto in Japan, which has allowed the Force’s Darcy Swain to join the party in London to add cover.
Last year, the Wallabies arrived in London with a single win against Argentina in the Rugby Championship. This year, they arrive with two, one against the Pumas and another against South Africa. Context matters in each Test defeat, with the stark exception of an abject performance in Perth against New Zealand, the Wallabies have largely been on an upward trajectory.
England always provides fierce opposition at Twickenham, with a crowd desperate to avoid a second successive defeat.
For the Wallabies, an incredible opportunity awaits: a win against England will provide desperately needed momentum ahead of Tests against Italy, Ireland, and France.
A win at the home of English rugby would provide momentum, something the teams craves with a home World Cup now less than two years away.
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