The "bands" or seedings had Aus placed in Band 1. On current rankings it is arguable whether we deserve even to be in band 2. England are in the same favoured position not deserving to be Band 1. Both South Africa and France aught be band 1 and for that matter Scotland should either be band 1 or head band 2. Wales don't deserve to be band 2 ahead of Argentina, but I suppose ditto Australia. These weird bands have provided a draw that simply pushes Australia ahead. One of South Africa, Ireland or Scotland must fall during the group stage, while both Australia and England are likely to go through just due to the draw.
The draw sits massively in our favour.
If we top C (which really we should) we meet either England or Argentina in the QF
If we are runners up in C we meet either England or Argentina in the QF
The only way I see Japan squeezing in there is if England are as shite as they seem and more. And surely facing down Argentina as our greatest threat to progressing to the SF has to be the best draw we've had in the history of the RWC.
I'd expect to be favourite over England. Though I don't mind the idea of facing Japan if that were necessary. Argentina could be a surprisingly tough encounter given the longer term history between the teams. But surely we favour ourselves there. A whole lot more appealing than meeting say, France, NZ, SA, Ireland or even a Scotland on fire. We can't meet any of those teams until the semi final. Wallaby fans aught be anticipating going deep into this RWC - the semi certainly. An utterly shit draw with us perplexingly on the advantage everywhere there is advantage to be found in the draw.
Of course Wales could simply luck it against their boogie-team, Fiji rip it up with WBs having insufficient rugby nous to counter it, and Georgia might luck a wet pitch to make life uncomfortable for the Wallabies. Still, that is a whole string of things to happen to challenge our favoured draw.
I'm hopeful that in spite the on-going desire from despondent fans for the Wallabies to do something like voice the depression that 5-0 could build - but we've got an HC who is all over pumping up the players and so far it seems positive attitude is winning out.
With any luck we meet England in the QF, and we only need to worry about the top teams once we hit the SF.
There is a reason that EJ (Eddie Jones) is optimistic. We should be to.
