Following a stunning 42-38 victory by Australia over the Springboks in Perth, former Springboks coach Nick Mallett has revised his views on the Wallabies' prospects at the upcoming Rugby World Cup. Mallett expressed his newfound respect for the Australian team on the Talking Boks podcast, labeling them as potentially formidable opponents for the All Blacks during the pool stages of the 2027 tournament.
Mallett pointed out that the matchup between Australia and New Zealand could be pivotal, especially if both teams advance from Pool A, with the likely scenario of them facing the top finisher from Pool B, potentially the Springboks. He previously believed the All Blacks would dominate the pool, but Australia's recent performance has shifted his perspective.
The match itself was a nail-biter, with the Wallabies securing the win with only a four-point margin. It was a game that seemed more one-sided until late tries from Morne van den Berg and Ox Nche closed the gap for the Springboks, showcasing a resilient though ultimately insufficient comeback.
Despite the victory, Mallett was critical of the Australian team's discipline, noting that four yellow cards were issued to their players towards the end of the game. This aspect, he argues, needs serious attention if the Wallabies hope to contend effectively on the world stage.
"I will say that if Australia managed to get their discipline right, which was one of the only criticisms I would have of them," Mallett said. "Because their lineout was good, their scrum was good, their contestables were good, and I don’t think Donaldson is a great fly-half."
Mallett further criticized the performance of Australian fly-half Ben Donaldson, suggesting that the team needs to find a more reliable player in this key position to enhance their tactical play and handling under pressure.
"I thought he was pretty clunky; a lot of his passes went to ground in that first half, which was lucky for us, but if they get a fly-half there who understands how to play it flat and when to kick and when to pass and when to take it to the line, then they’re going to be very dangerous," Mallett elaborated.
Les Kiss, coach of the Wallabies, was commended for fostering a strong team spirit within the squad, a sentiment Mallett partially disputed by highlighting the on-field indiscipline in the closing stages of the match.
"Their connection piece is strong. They care deeply about what they are doing in this jersey, and we saw that tonight in that last 10 minutes," Kiss remarked, praising the team's cohesion and determination.
Mallett responded to Kiss's comments with a note of skepticism, pointing out that the number of penalties and cards contradicted the praised team tightness.
"They are talking about the connection in the team and how they played for each other and all that, but to be honest, they were all over the place in those last 20 minutes," Mallett observed.
As the Wallabies continue to prepare for the World Cup on their home soil, the lessons from this game will undoubtedly influence their strategies and player selection, particularly in high-stakes matches likely against teams like the All Blacks. Mallett's insights suggest both caution and optimism for an Australian team that has shown both brilliance and areas for improvement.
