AUSTRALIA

With a current world ranking of eighth place, Australia have Wales, Fiji, Georgia and Portugal in their pool.  Past World cup winners in 1991 and 1999, but they would prefer to forget the 2023 defeat by England – with THAT last minute Jonny Wilkson drop goal. Their Head Coach, (who moved from coaching England to Oz earlier this year) Eddie Jones will be looking forward to meeting England after the first pool stages. Having caused some surprise by not selecting the Australian long-term captain, Michael Hooper in his final team choice, Jones has chosen a young, relatively inexperienced side – let’s see if the strategy works!

With such a young team, average only 20 caps per player, there should be some interesting players to watch – but they will need the experience of James Slipper and Taniela Tupou to keep them calm. But think there will be some great fast paced rugby from the boys from Down Under.

Captain: Tate McDermott

Player to Watch: Currently just 18 years old (he turns 19 just before the tournament begins), Max Jorgensen will definitely attract attention on field. 

For more information on Australian Rugby – www.rugby.com.au

For full details follow: www.rugbyworldcup.com

What to Eat & Drink whilst watching the Wallabies

Food: Throw another Prawn on the Barbie and all that! Aussies do brilliant BBQ’s and have some great beef as well as all the wonderful sea food.  So, a BBQ on match day would give it an Aussie buzz – maybe some beer marinated chicken wings or even some kangaroo steaks alongside the snags (sausages) and if you are doing burgers, remember to top them with a slice of beetroot!   For some kangaroo sausages or crocodile meat – www.keziefoods.co.uk

But as the great British weather cannot be relied upon, then other match day food could include Vegemite in any way! Try making some Dampner bread (with cheese and chives for more flavour) – toasting and slathering with vegemite – simple but great comfort food!   Just don’t tell a Wallabies fan that marmite is the same as vegemite unless you want to cause more arguments than David Campese! The Macadamia nuts will be flying before you know it!

Another great match day food that would be typically Australian would be Fish & Chips – follow this link and find an outstanding independent Chippy near you  – www.nfff.co.uk/pages/fish-and-chips-near-me

Australian cuisine is so varied thanks to their immigrants and proximity to Asia – and some amazing world class restaurants especially in Melbourne – so don’t think the above is it for Australian food, it has an amazing food culture but sometimes for the match – comfort food it is! But to see how exciting it can be – have a peak at one of the most mouth -watering Foodie magazine that exists – www.gourmettraveller.com.au

To get hold of typical Aussie snacks try this online store, www.sanza.co.uk for such classics as Twisties (cheesy snacks) and the classic Aussie chocolate biscuit Tim Tam –  which apparently you can bite the ends off and then drink your tea through the biscuit – sounds messy but for instructions see the way that Natalie Imbruglia does it on You Tube!

Drink: 

Beer: All the Australian wine makers I know seem to drink Coopers, from the eponymous family run brewery – www.coopers.com.au available from www.therealalecompany.co.uk

So, I thought I’d ask an Aussie sports mad friend of mine what else you should be enjoying whilst watching the rugby. The answer was detailed….. “ James Squire, Little Creatures, Boags and Cascade are all good brands. The former two in particular are more known for their pale and golden ales than lager (much like Coopers, which of course you can’t go wrong with); the latter two more for lagers. Matilda Bay for stouts and steam beers, and Redback for wheat beer.  Oh, for the best of the trad Aussie lagers, Crown Lager; and if you want to get really down to basics, VB (Victoria Bitter).” Thanks mate!

Wine: Australia has such a variety of climates that all styles of wine can, and are, produced within her borders.  The Barossa valley with its Germanic Prussian influences is home to big powerful Shiraz but also blended together with Grenache and Mouvedre to give the now classic GSM blend. From the beautiful Clare Valley to the terra rossa (red soils) of Coonawarra for Cabernet Sauvignon packed with mint and blackcurrants. From the oldest of all the Aussie wine regions, the Hunter Valley with its’ delightful Semillons to the Yarra near Victoria with its cool climate. Not forgetting the beguiling Tasmania, a foodie heaven and home to sparkling wines Chardy & Pinot as well as the lovely Mornington Peninsular in Victoria. A variety to suit all palates!

Janz Premium Cuvee NV. Seen by many winemakers as the ideal place to make world class Sparkling Wines, Tasmania really proves the point with this traditional bottle fermented fizz. Deliciously fresh but with nice number of toasty notes and marmalade. Falls into the “dangerously drinkable” category for its approachability! Currently on offer at £14.49 – it outperforms lots of the more famous commercial names from across the Channel.  Available at www.waitrose.com

Jim Barry The Lodge Hill Riesling – From the Clare Valley, this is a cracker of wine – and really delivers beyond its price tag. As well as classic varietal notes, lots of lime, pink grapefruit and zesty acidity. Is brilliant with grilled prawns. £10.99 on the six-mix deal. Available www.majestic.co.uk

Assyrtiko Jim Barry – Staying in the Clare Valley, at Jim Barry Wines, for another left field variety – Assyrtiko – more usually found in Greece.  Great minerality, pure refreshing flavours including an appealing underlying salinity – ideal with some salted macadamia nuts!  Currently on offer £24.75 – Available – www.oxfordwine.co.uk

 Tempranillo Touriga S C Pannell – A great example of the variety of grape varieties in Australia – a blend of Rioja’s most famous variety, Tempranillo with the Douro Valley in Portugal the more usual home to Touriga Nacional. Lots of smooth chocolate and spices – this is perfect with BBQ steak! £19.50 Available from www.corkage.co.uk

Shaw & Smith Shiraz – From the Adelaide Hills, this elegant example of a cool climate Syrah from one of Oz’s best producers is outstanding. Bursting with dark & black fruit (mulberry if we’re being fancy!), as well as smooth cocoa notes, fine tannins, good depth of complexity with balanced acidity. Worth the price tag.  £29.95 – Available from www.slurp.co.uk

Plus, one to perhaps save for when Australia gets through to the next round. Moorooduc Robinson Estate Pinot Noir from the fabulous Mornington Peninsular – heavenly luscious Pinot that goes so well with proper roasted Chicken or Baked Salmon. £35 available www.caviste.co.uk

Websites for Wine Estates above:

www.jansz.com.au

www.jimbarry.com

www.pannell.com.au

www.shawandsmith.com

www.moorooducestate.com.au

For more information on Australian Wine – visit – www.wineaustralia.net.au