Wallabies’ winning run: Australia focused on Georgia and nothing else

Following their win over Wales and Ireland’s last-gasp victory in South Africa, Australia now stands alone as the only tier-one men’s team with an active winning streak of at least three Test matches.

New Zealand and Scotland are on a two-Test unbeaten run, but the Aussies are just ahead. The Wallabies beat Portugal at last year’s Rugby World Cup and with two wins over Wales this month, they currently claim a slice of history.

The Wallabies started their new era under coach Joe Schmidt with those two good results against an old foe in Wales, but their focus has shifted to Georgia as they look to extend their winning run even further.

Schmidt and the coaching group have made 10 changes to the starting side, which includes Allan Alaalatoa both coming into First XV and taking over the captaincy. But this team certainly doesn’t lack experience or potential as they look to seize their opportunity.

For Australian rugby fans, that’s something to celebrate but the playing group hasn’t even spoken about it. As Allan Alaalatoa explained at Friday’s captain’s run, the men in gold are solely focused on the job at hand.

“It’s not something that we talk about,” the skipper told reporters on Friday.

“I think the most important thing for us as players is if you are going to think about it then you understand why and it’s all about the things that you are doing throughout your preparations and putting on a good performance.

“That’s all we focus on is players is to prepare the best we can and to challenge each other throughout the week, and then give the boys the best opportunity to go out there and be their best selves tomorrow.”

Alaalatoa joins Isaac Kailea and ACT Brumbies teammate Billy Pollard in a new-look front row trio, while the return of Nick Frost and a maiden start for Angus Blyth rounds out the tight five.

Rob Valetini and Fraser McReight are the only two forwards who have held onto their respective places on the flanks, with Queenslander Harry Wilson returning to Wallaby gold for the first time in a couple of years as the starting No. 8.

All eight men, as well as those looking to provide impact off the bench, will need to bring their A-game against a Georgian pack which is traditionally quite physical. The rugby world saw just last week what they could do, with the visitors taking down Eddie Jones’ Brave Blossoms in Japan.

“I think the intent was there but it was just probably a little bit of technique stuff and probably the positioning of where some of our players were in those moments,” Alaalatoa explained.

“Wales made us pay as well all know and the Georgians are very physical up front, especially in their set-piece. That’s been an area of improvement for us over the last couple of games.

“We know it’s gonna be a tough battle.”

This is the Wallabies’ last fixture in their three-Test July series. Next up, the men in gold will ready themselves for an almighty challenge with the two-time defending Rugby World Cup champion Springboks set to come Down Under.

Australia will host South Africa at one of their traditional fortresses in Brisbane before flying out west for another Rugby Championship clash at Perth’s Optus Stadium. It’s a mouth-watering matchup that will show more than anything else where this team is at.

But Georgia are first.

“Our growth is getting better every day.

“We haven’t thought any further than tomorrow against the Georgians.

“It’s been a tough week and there’s been some great learnings at training and that’s put is good stead to go out there and continue to grow and be better because we know that we have to be against Georgia.”