Australia v Wales: Wales hope to avoid dark skies in Sydney

Talking to a range of figures this week, many observers refer to Australian rugby being in “dire straits”.

Most cannot believe the Wallabies have been installed favourites against Wales.

Rugby union’s relevance and a general apathy towards the sport in the country also provide concerns.

Crowned world champions in 1991 and 1999, the Wallabies hosted the 2003 World Cup when they lost to England in the final. Things have declined in the last 20 years since those glory days.

Watching an Australian television news broadcast this week gives an indication of where the two-Test series currently lies in the nation’s sporting psyche.

The news anchor stated July was going to be a stellar month for Australia sporting fans, referencing the Olympics, Wimbledon and rugby league’s State of Origin series decider in Brisbane. Little mention of the Wallabies hosting Wales.

It emphasises the battle rugby union has to compete with other seasonal sports like rugby league, Aussie Rules and football – although this is not a new phenomenon.

Instability in the sport has been prevalent on these shores. There were six Wallabies captains in 2023, and a regular turnover of chief executives and head coaches too in the last few years.

The effects of the disastrous 2023 World Cup campaign, with Australia failing to achieve quarter-final qualification for the first time, saw controversial head coach Eddie Jones resign, with chair Hamish McLennan also departing.

Financial issues have also arisen, with the Australian Rugby Union taking a £40m loan last year.

So Australia has to survive and rebuild as it becomes the centre of world rugby over the next few years.

They are welcoming the British and Irish Lions next year and hosting men’s and women’s World Cups in 2027 and 2029.

The revival needs to start soon, with this series viewed as potentially the beginning of a new era.