Do you believe in destiny?<\/p>\n
If not, the Wallabies should be your reason to start.<\/p>\n
Imagine what you\u2019d feel and hear, the incredible sights you\u2019d see, walking out of Sydney\u2019s Accor Stadium after the Wallabies win the 2027 Men\u2019s Rugby World Cup<\/a> on home soil \u2013 completing the most remarkable and important comeback in the sport\u2019s professional era.<\/p>\n Wallabies supporters will spill out of the modern-day sporting Colosseum in their thousands, all draped in gold, having dreamt the very same dream. Fans would jump between chants of \u201cAussie, Aussie, Aussie\u201d as the nation comes together as one.<\/p>\n While that might still sound a bit fantastical or far-fetched to some, Joe Schmidt\u2019s squad for the Spring Tour reinforces the idea that the Wallabies are heading in the right direction, with Carter Gordon<\/a> a notable inclusion in the touring party.<\/p>\n They\u2019ve got all the pieces of the puzzle needed to win the World Cup.<\/p>\n This is another milestone moment in the progression of Australian rugby\u2019s golden era. Players once considered \u2018the next big thing\u2019 are realising their potential on the international stage, and they\u2019re only going to get better.<\/p>\n Under Schmidt, the Wallabies have shown battle-hardened traits of grit, fight and passion, which are all qualities Australians love to get behind. It started with a last-gasp winner against the Flying Fijians in Newcastle, with captain Harry Wilson<\/a> emerging as the hero that afternoon.<\/p>\n The Wallabies fell agonisingly short of a win against the British & Irish Lions<\/a> in Melbourne before beating the best of the Home Nations in tough conditions the next week at Sydney\u2019s Accor Stadium \u2013 the very venue that will host the World Cup decider.<\/p>\n After an unforgettable comeback win against two-time defending world champion Springboks at Johannesburg\u2019s Emirates Airline Park, a valiant win over Los Pumas<\/a> in Townsville, and one defeat to each of those opponents, the Wallabies charged into the Bledisloe.<\/p>\n While the All Blacks<\/a> won both Tests, let\u2019s not overlook the Wallabies\u2019 efforts. They trailed by just two points with 10 to play at Eden Park, and showed signs of quality during the loss at Perth\u2019s Optus Stadium earlier this month.<\/p>\n Tane Edmed started at 10 against the All Blacks in Perth, and the Brumbies-bound playmaker was fairly good to start the Test. Former Wallabies fly-half Quade Cooper<\/a> later took to X, saying Edmed shouldn\u2019t \u201cbe on a Test match pitch\u201d before apologising.<\/p>\n With Gordon in the Wallabies\u2019 plans once again, having been released from the final year of his deal with NRL side the Gold Coast Titans, the Wallabies are on a path to greatness. Two years out from the showpiece event, the Wallabies have already reemerged as a force.<\/p>\n If you go through the Wallabies\u2019 potential best XV one by one, it\u2019s becoming increasingly difficult to highlight any glaring weaknesses. The back-row of Rob Valetini<\/a>, Fraser McReight<\/a> and captain Wilson is world-class, and Exeter Chiefs<\/a> recruit Tom Hooper<\/a> is another proven option.<\/p>\n In the backs, the Wallabies are blessed with quality at scrum-half. Tate McDermott<\/a> is currently out injured but would challenge for a starting role if fit, with Jake Gordon<\/a> another leading contender to wear the No. 9.<\/p>\n Either way, the Wallabies can\u2019t go wrong.<\/p>\n That remains true when you consider another option, Ryan Lonergan<\/a>, who brings much-needed goal-kicking skills to the selection table. After debuting for the Wallabies during the TRC, the ACT Brumbies<\/a> No. 9 has a couple of years to fight for a starting World Cup jersey.<\/p>\n Lonergan\u2019s goal kicking could be a difference-maker when the selectors get together ahead of the World Cup. Carter Gordon is most likely to slot in at fly-half, but Rugby Australia\u2019s latest recruit has had some issues off the kicking tee in the past.<\/p>\n Two years out from the World Cup, it seems incredibly obvious that Len Ikitau<\/a> and Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii<\/a> will line up in the centres. Ikitau is perhaps the Wallabies\u2019 best player at the moment \u2013 standing out as an exceptional defender, and the glue to the backline.<\/p>\n There are no doubts about Suaalii\u2019s place at outside centre, 12 months on from a big-money move to union. Suaalii enjoyed a promising campaign during The Rugby Championship \u2013 the code-hopper was especially impressive against Los Pumas.<\/p>\n Max Jorgensen will start at either wing or fullback, but the 21-year-old was arguably Australia\u2019s best during the Lions Series on the edge. After two starts at fullback against the All Blacks, \u2018Jorgo\u2019 offers some versatility in the outside backs, but that\u2019s Tom Wright\u2019s jersey.<\/p>\n Wright ranked in the top 30 when the RugbyPass Top 100 was revealed last year. The fullback scored three tries against Wales<\/a> during the 2024 Spring Tour, and enjoyed some highlight moments against the British & Irish Lions earlier this year.<\/p>\n On the other wing, Mark Nawaqanitawase<\/a> will be back in Wallaby gold.<\/p>\n