The Wallabies built a gold wall of defence against Wales at Twickenham on Saturday and battled to the top of pool A.

The performance was a result of a new team attitude that extends beyond the playing squad and coaching staff. Australian rugby is growing up on all levels and team unity is at the forefront of the whole administration.

The ARU marketing team’s #StrongerAsOne line is much more than a snappy advertising gimmick. This time its real, and we’re seeing it play out on the field.

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The ARU has copped criticism for the way it has managed rugby in Australia over the last few years. Some of it has been fair and warranted, but I think its time now to give credit where credit is due.

The decision to hire Michael Cheika might have seemed an obvious choice at the time, but was one that didn’t come easy. The ‘texting’ crisis that embroiled the Wallabies during last year’s Rugby Championship threatened to splinter the team, its management and the whole organisation. A good coach was gone and the situation was dire.

The Wallaby team culture has changed under Cheika. Bill Pulver brought Cheika in to save the Spring Tour and propel the Wallabies towards World Cup success.

It was a brave choice at a dangerous moment given that Cheika would not be a coach who swayed to the desires of the head office. However, that’s exactly what Australian rugby needed.

The ARU and Pulver showed great foresight introducing contract flexibility measures in 2014. The culmination of these decisions has lead to this moment in England.

Firstly, the flexible contracts that now allow the likes of Israel Folau and Bernard Foley to play short stints overseas allow players to maximise their earning capability. Careers can be short for elite athletes.



This measure was particularly important in securing Folau’s signature and an acknowledgement of the importance of his presence in Australian rugby for all levels of the game.

Matt Giteau’s inclusion in the squad has also proven a masterstroke from Cheika. Giteau and Drew Mitchell’s extensive Test experience has been influential on the whole squad.

This would not have been a reality if not for the relaxation of the foreign selection criteria that previously made players such as Giteau and Mitchell ineligible as foreign contracted players. This measure allows the Wallabies to draw on the small group of experienced overseas players and creates a global collective for Wallaby players who previously left Australia and had no access to further Test caps.

Further changes to the system have allowed players such as Kane Douglas and Dean Mumm to play. Both have been able to sign Super Rugby contracts from overseas and allowing immediate eligibility for Wallaby selection, waving the previous twelve-month lock out.

Cheika has had so many more options. Even James Horwill was omitted from the squad after putting in great performances during the Rugby Championship.

The Wallabies victory over New Zealand this year and now wins over England and Wales at the World Cup are the reward for positive change. The job is obviously not done yet but we are sitting pretty with great momentum from five straight Test victories, pool topping qualification and a slightly more palatable quarter-final match against Scotland.

With this attitude, in this situation, anything is possible. The Wallabies can win the Cup. Sport often brings out clichés, however in this moment I truly believe the Wallabies aren’t getting ahead of themselves. It’s as much to do with Michael Cheika and the ARU, as it is the players.

Finally the ‘I’ in team can’t be found anywhere. Let’s hope it stays away.

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