In rugby union, a Grand Slam occurs when a team in the Six Nations Championship defeats all other teams within a single competition year.
For Australia, a Grand Slam tour happens when a touring sideโlike the Wallabiesโplays all four Home Nations (England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales) and wins each match.
The Wallabies kicked off their Grand Slam tour with a thrilling 37-42 victory over England on Saturday.
This strong start has Australian fans buzzing, with head coach Joe Schmidt hopeful about the prospect of a Grand Slam.
It's been over 40 years since Australia last achieved a Grand Slam, in 1984. The last team to complete one was New Zealand in 2010, who did it in style, following their previous slams in 2005 and 2008.
Is 2024 the year for the Wallabies?
The Wallabies' victory over England saw code-switcher Joseph Suaalii silence critics with an outstanding debut. Suaalii made a perfect assist to Tom Wright for the first try, setting the momentum for the Wallabies, who went on to score five more tries against England.
Despite Australia's struggles in recent competitions, including a single win over Argentina in the recent Rugby Championship, the Wallabies enter their next round with renewed confidence.
However, their next opponent, Wales, presents a challenging test.
Wales crushed the Wallabies in the World Cup last year with a decisive 40-6 victory.
Yet, the Welsh team is now struggling, coming off a historic loss to Fiji, marking their 10th consecutive defeat.
A win over Wales in Cardiff would put the Wallabies halfway toward a Grand Slam and mark Australia's first such achievement since 1984.
Australia's tour schedule also includes Scotland and Ireland, both of whom lost their matches this weekend, fueling Wallabies fans' hope.
Although achieving a Grand Slam remains a challenging feat, Schmidt believes the Wallabies' success against England has boosted the squad's confidence.
โI'm not sure we've turned it around yet. I think we're turning,โ Schmidt told ABC News.
โProgress isn't always linear, but we have a great group of players and staff. I think the players are starting to believe in themselves and their skills.โ
The Wallabies squad for this spring tour includes several new faces alongside big names from the 2023 Rugby World Cup, including Samu Kerevi and Will Skelton.
Joining them is Rugby Australia's latest addition, Joseph Suaalii, along with uncapped players Tane Edmed and Harry Potter.
ACT Brumbies hooker Billy Pollard and versatile Queensland forward Seru Uru also make a return.
Schmidt expressed confidence in the squad, explaining that several players will gain crucial experience with the Australia XV.
With fresh talent and a victorious start, Wallabies fans eagerly await the rest of the Grand Slam tour, hoping for a historic clean sweep.
Remaining 2024 Wallabies Spring Tour Fixtures:
- Wales vs Australia โ Principality Stadium, Cardiff, 3:10 am, Monday, November 18
- Scotland vs Australia โ Scottish Gas Murrayfield, 12:40 am, Monday, November 25
- Ireland vs Australia โ Aviva Stadium, Dublin, 2:10 am, Sunday, December 1
