Four years of preparation have brought the Wallabies to Japan and now, they are just six days away from the moment when all that preparation will be put to the test, in their opening match against Fiji.
Every decision of the four years between the 2015 World Cup final and now will begin to truly come together next weekend, every flap of a butterfly's wing adding a new component into Australia's preparation and chances of potential success in Japan.
Just 12 players in the side who ran out for Australia in the corresponding match in 2015, also against Fiji, are in the squad in 2019 but some of the same debates rage on.
There are tight selection decisions to be made across the park and if Michael Cheika’s words this week are anything to go by, competition has only increased since the team landed at the World Cup.
In the forwards, the debate starts really at the no. 2 jersey, with Tolu Latu potentially edging in front for a starting spot, with the most experience under his belt with Folau Fainga’a and Jordan Uelese breathing down his neck.
Scott Sio and Allan Alaalatoa have established themselves as the form props in 2019, with James Slipper the clear back-up loosehead, leaving Taniela Tupou and Sekope Kepu to vie for the final prop spot.
Rory Arnold and Izack Rodda have built a regular combination this season and with Arnold on track to recover from a hand injury for Australia’s opener, that pair would be expected to be reunited against Fiji.
The Wallabies’ lineout has improved in 2019 compared to previous seasons and Rodda said that was down to having consistent combinations across the board.
“It's been the same sort of group for the last couple of years and we're just gelling our combinations and starting to learn how each other operates in a lineout, which is definitely helping,” he said.
The back row is the department that often generates the most debate, as to whether the Wallabies should stick with Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Michael Hooper and Isi Naisarani or inject David Pocock into the starting mix.
That more traditional backrow combination has found reward this season but the impact of someone like Pocock in a match can not be overestimated.
Australia have been tight-lipped about their leanings when it comes to the back row, though when both Pocock and Hooper have been fit and available in the past four years, they have started together on all but one occasion.
The Wallabies ended the same discussion in 2015 by fielding the pair together in the starting side, and both played pivotal roles in an opening match win.
Nic White and Christian Lealiifano look to be in the box seat to be the starting halves, though both Will Genia and Bernard Foley have had starts through the winter.
Foley has found himself in a position he has rarely been in since the 2015 Rugby World Cup, with a fight on his hands to be picked at 10, but he said on Sunday that it was a challenge he was embracing.
“It’s great competition,” Foley said.
“I’ve really enjoyed going up against him every time we’re training.
“We’ve been doing a lot of 15 on 15 and that means that the competition is there and it’s probably the same across all positions.
“Every position is being highly contested so it’s enjoyable and good to work with him on certain issues and how we’re seeing the game, how we can evolve our games and how that can benefit the side.”
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Samu Kerevi would be expected to be a near-lock in the no. 12 spot, while in the outside backs, James O’Connor played a crucial role in Australia’s Bledisloe Cup win in Perth while Tevita Kuridrani could be in the mix for a return against Fiji after injuring his hamstring in Australia’s pre-World Cup camp.
Marika Koroibete’s form has only improved through 2019 and he was a standout against Samoa last week and Adam Ashley-Cooper, Reece Hodge and Dane Haylett-Petty battling it out for the other wing spot.
In two weeks’ time that group will also have Jordan Petaia to contend with.
Kurtley Beale played a utility role off the bench in the last World Cup but he looks like receiving the first opportunity to start at 15 when their campaign truly kicks off.
Whether Cheika and selectors Michael O’Connor and Scott Johnson will make similar calls to those of four years ago, Foley said there were some similarities to be found within the campaigns already.
“There’s probably 12 guys who were there last time and not that we want to reflect on it because that was a whole separate era and so many guys here doing it for their first time so we have to let them enjoy it but there definitely has been similarities,” he said.
“Of just the hard work, the isolation as a group to allow us to build those connections to get tight as a group and to work together for what is going to be such a great tournament.
“Coming up here, being in these types of places it comes down to the preparation and I think the team has done that extremely well.”
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Foley said Fiji’s major threats were in the speed of their game, especially when pouncing on an opposition mistake.
“They are so dangerous in turnover and counter-attack in that unstructured style of play when they are getting their offloads, that speed of ball,” he said.
“The ruck speed is quick, that’s when they look at their best so that is something we are going to have to nullify.”
Australia take on Fiji on Saturday September 21 at the Sapporo Dome, kicking off at 1;45pm local, 2;45pm AEST, LIVE on Foxtel, Network Ten and via RUGBY.com.au RADIO.
