Pace on the wing aside, Wallabies look strong; by Eddie Jones

WINNING the Super Rugby title without Israel Folau making a line break in their two crunch finals games is testament to the magnificent development of the NSW Waratahs.

They were tremendous in victory in perhaps the best-ever Super Rugby game by my quick reckoning.

There were a couple of huge outcomes for the Wallabies that can flow into the vital fast start they need in Sydney next Saturday to launch a winning Bledisloe Cup campaign.

Kurtley Beale growing up is the biggest plus on an individual player level.

In the final he looked like the young schoolboy with the amazing array of skills transferring them to the top level.

If managed well by Test boss Ewen McKenzie, Beale will be a matchwinner for the Wallabies.

The success of the Waratahs and the strength of the ACT Brumbies bodes well for the Wallabies.

There is enormous backline depth with Nick Phipps and Nic White at halfback, Bernard Foley and Matt Toomua at No.10, Beale, Toomua and Christian Lealiifano at inside centre and Adam Ashley-Cooper and Tevita Kuridrani at outside centre.

The wings are a concern with Ashley-Cooper and Pat McCabe earmarked there. Lack of real speed is an issue but both are very good players and full of courage.

I would rate Ashley-Cooper as my Super Rugby Player of the Year.

The lack of speed on the wings will be more an issue against the Springboks than the All Blacks because the South Africans have real gas.

Success at national level generally follows when you have two provincial or club teams doing very well.

Australia’s 1999 World Cup-winning side was dominated by Reds and Brumbies, both top five Super 12 teams at that time.

The ranks of England’s 2003 World Cup champions were dominated by Wasps and Leicester players who had won European Cup and English Championship titles in the lead-up years.

Why the flow on? The players are confident, in a winning habit, accustomed to performing consistently under pressure and are generally in great physical condition.

Potentially, that puts the Wallabies in a good zone but McKenzie’s initial selections will be crucial.

The Waratahs were exceptional with their management of Wycliff Palu.

They managed his training loads and rest.

A big, robust No.8 is crucial to Bledisloe Cup success and there is not another No.8 in the country who can do what he does.

A Palu-Scott Higginbotham-Michael Hooper backrow is as good as any in the world although McKenzie fancies Scott Fardy at No.6.

Good selections, good start, great chance of winning...that’s the Wallabies formula for the Bledisloe Cup and The Rugby Championship.

In Sam Whitelock, at lock, and Kieran Read, at No.8, the All Blacks have the two best forwards in the world so they will still be tough to beat.

I'm afraid if Beale is the kingpin the Aussies will be disappointed. One error and his fragile persona is highly likely to reappear. AC is solid, not likely to trouble international defences from first phase, he was helped by a vulnerable Saders opponent. And Folau's absence from proceedings in the final is something the Boks and ABs will find encouraging, perhaps there is something to learn. Their scrummies also don't convince me.

But as usual it will come down to whether the Aussie tight five can hold their own. The S15 is not a clear indicator. The AB/Oz game next week will be very interesting.

 ...."yet to see how he will go at test level."

Oh yes, we're all kinda guilty of swallowing the hype only to be surprised to see that some don't make the cut at test level.

It reminds me of how Joe Roff enthused about Quade Cooper in a chat we had flying on the same flight to NZ for the WC.....Ouch!