Wallabies legend Tim Horan has thrown down the gauntlet: after a mixed series against the British & Irish Lions, it’s time for Australia to zero in on the Bledisloe Cup. Despite dropping the series 2-1 to the Lions, Horan sees a silver lining in Australia’s gritty performances, particularly in the latter two Tests, which he believes set the stage for a robust Rugby Championship run.
The series began with a stumble in Brisbane, where Australia fell 27-19, but the Wallabies showed resilience in Melbourne and Sydney, ending with a spirited 22-14 win that has injected new hope into their campaign. Joe Schmidt, the current head coach, is on his way out after the Rugby Championship, passing the baton to Les Kiss. But before Schmidt’s departure, the Wallabies face stiff competition against world champions South Africa in August, followed by the critical Bledisloe Cup matches against New Zealand.
Horan, speaking to Sky Sports, emphasized the significance of the Bledisloe Cup clashes scheduled for September 27 in Auckland and October 4 in Perth.
“I think for us, for the Wallabies fans, what they’ve seen the last three or four weeks for all the Australian teams, it’s the Bledisloe Cup,”
he stated, underscoring the deep desire to reclaim the trophy after a 23-year hiatus.The legend praised Schmidt’s impact on the team, particularly in integrating young talents like Len Ikitau and Joseph Suaalii, who are beginning to gel in the international arena.
“You look at Len Ikitau and Joseph Suaalii, now that’s their seventh Test match together, starting to form a little bit of a combination,”
Horan noted, highlighting the duo’s growing synergy.Horan also acknowledged the fierce competition for attention with other major sports in Australia but noted the palpable sense of pride in the Wallaby jersey, especially evident in Sydney’s latest match. As the Wallabies gear up to face the world champions, the momentum from their win against the Lions is crucial. Horan’s final thoughts summed up the national sentiment:
“We really needed that result tonight.”
As the Wallabies look ahead, the stakes are incredibly high, but so is the resolve to restore their standing in the fiercely contested world of international rugby.