‘Give them time’ is the prevailing perception bubbling throughout Australian rugby in the post-Michael Cheika-era.

The departure of the long-time national coach, a number of the country’s most recognised names and the relative success of the Junior Wallabies has many rusted old fans clinging to hope that richer times are on the horizon.

Dave Rennie’s “if they’re good enough, they’re old enough” sentiment has accentuated the idea that Australian rugby is giving the kids a crack.

It’s those sympathetic notions that have been used to try and ease the embarrassment of the tough start to the season, where the Brumbies are the only Australian franchise to have recorded a win after two rounds.

The fact that those two wins have come against fellow Australians teams hasn’t particularly given hope to the idea that rugby in this country can compete with New Zealand and South African opposition – not that the Brumbies can do anything about who they play.

For the first time in their history too, the Waratahs are smack bang at the bottom of the Super Rugby standings after losing their opening two matches of the season.

Yet, the premise that Australian rugby is going through a rebuilding phase isn’t quite as comforting as it sounds.

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The Waratahs are the most capped team in Super Rugby. Source: FOX SPORTS

An examination of the average age and career games of the matchday squads of the opening two rounds reveal that the Waratahs are the most experienced side in Super Rugby.

In round two, where Rob Penney’s side embarrassingly fell 32-12 to the Blues in front of a historic low crowd of 7,491, the average Waratah was 25.9 years old, which leaves them as the fifth oldest side – a year and a half younger that the oldest side, the Bulls.

But crucially, the 1109 caps behind them was easily the most experienced squad on the field, with the Rebels, who are also without a win, the next highest with 945 matches.

The Waratahs also have three of the top four most experienced players in Super Rugby in 2020, with Kurtley Beale top with 158 matches under his belt, while Rob Simmons is third (147) and Michael Hooper is fourth (140).

Interestingly too, only two members of last week’s starting side for the Waratahs (fly-half Will Harrison and winger Mark Nawaqanitawase) had less than 10 matches of experience.

What's the plan for Waratahs? 1:11

Where Australian rugby is however short on experience is in the crucial playmaking channels, with Harrison and Brumbies fly-half Noah Lolesio both cutting their teeth in Super Rugby for the first time.

As Lolesio has shown though, youthfulness doesn’t mean you can’t win.

After all, the likes of Quade Cooper, James O’Connor and Kurtley Beale each made their Super Rugby debuts and quickly went onto higher honours well before their twentieth birthdays.

The experience exception is the Reds, where Brad Thorn’s squad remain the youngest in Super Rugby by a considerable distance.

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The average age that took the field for the Reds against the Lions last weekend was 21.68 years old, which is almost three years younger than the Jaguares, who at 24.62 years are the second youngest.

Their 696 caps was the fourth least experienced side – not that the Reds have been using that an excuse, with Liam Wright following Samu Kerevi’s lead of not accepting mediocrity.

“It’s annoying to keep coming to you guys at the end and say we were so close but so far,” Wright said in his post-match interview following the Reds’ gutsy 27-20 loss at Ellis Park.

“We’re costing ourselves with poor discipline and stuff like that. Credit to Elton and his team, they really made the most of it and kept us in our half and scored some good tries.”

“Very good,” he added, after being asked what the chances were of keeping this “young group together”.

“We’ve had about 14 long-term signatures over this pre-season, so we’re really positive about this group. But we don’t want to wait for the next three years for it to happen, we really want to make our mark this year and want to turn it around from these first two starts.”

The Reds are by far the youngest squad in Super Rugby, but they say it’s time to deliver. Source: Getty Images

For Wright’s sake you hope they can because ahead of their maiden home match of the year against the Sunwolves on February 22 the Reds desperately need to come away from Argentina on Sunday morning (AEDT) with a win.

Closer to home, the Rebels’ first home game against the Waratahs on Friday in Melbourne is also being viewed as a Dance of the Desperates, with both franchises desperately needing to break their duck.

Australian rugby needs a win.

Yes, there is some exciting youth coming through the system.

But giving them a supportive hug and the benefit of time isn’t acceptable.

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