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Lock Jeremy Williams backs hosts to end Webb Ellis Cup drought as Australia rise to sixth in world rankings after unbeaten start to coach Les Kiss’s reign
Australia head coach Les Kiss and Wallabies lock Jeremy Williams pose with the 2027 Rugby World Cup trophy in Sydney. Australia head coach Les Kiss and Wallabies lock Jeremy Williams pose with the 2027 Rugby World Cup trophy in Sydney.
Wallabies eager to ride momentum to Rugby World Cup contention: ‘I’d back us in’Australia sixth in world rankings after unbeaten start to Kiss’s reignas they look to extend a five-match unbeaten run when they face the All Blacks, with lock Jeremy Williams declaring Australia can end a 27-year wait and win the Webb Ellis Cup at home.went on sale on Thursday, marking one year until the opening match between the Wallabies and Hong Kong in Perth. More than half of the 2.5m tickets have already been sold, including 43% to overseas purchasers.
“The team we’ve got, the players, coaching staff, and the drive, the care that we have for each other and playing for that Wallaby jersey … I’d back us in every day of the week,” Williams said. Former Wallaby Tim Horan, who won the World Cup in both 1991 and 1999, said the tournament was wide open, with any of the top 10 sides in the world a chance to win.
“The Wallabies, the way that they’ve got some momentum with Les . I think what Les is doing, the style and the brand of the Wallabies are tracking pretty well for the World Cup in a year’s time,” he said. Kiss himself said he and the players are remaining focused on the short term, though he recognised the team’s positive trajectory, which has included a “The way that they’ve gone about their business is very impressive,” he said.
“Even after the game on the weekend, there was a sense of dissatisfaction, you know, some of the things they let go with the game, getting to down to 11 men, but some great qualities came through with that. ” Kiss’s side faces an imposing task against the All Blacks in two weeks at Eden Park, where New Zealand have not lost since 1994 – a run of 53 Tests.
Following a winless series against the Springboks, the All Blacks are looking to avoid four consecutive losses for the first time since 1998. The Wallabies have not defeated their trans-Tasman rivals in six years however, and are missing the suspended centre Hunter Paisami. Lock Josh Canham and centre Len Ikitau are in doubt with injuries. Prop Taniela Tupou and flanker Tom Hooper will also be absent, having returned to their clubs in Europe.
Uncapped Toby Macpherson, 22, has been called into the squad as cover for both lock and back row.
“Even the players that everyone says they’re nailed on, I know that they’re driven now just to make sure they don’t drop their guard in any way,” he said. “For guys like Angus and Marky Mark, they’ve got to come in and they’ve got to do the work. ”
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