By Sam Ryan

It’s easy to be pessimistic about Australian rugby after a disappointing year to date but maybe, just maybe, things really aren’t that bad.

Following the departures of a host of players post last year’s World Cup, Australia’s depth has been stretched significantly in 2016 and the Wallabies and our Super Rugby franchises have struggled as a result.

But it’s also opened the door and given an early opportunity to a handful of our future stars who will undoubtedly benefit from their 2016 experiences in the long run.

The emergence of some of these player may just be the highlight of this Super Rugby season for Australian fans, so why not look at how it all might come together a few years down the track.

To qualify for this hypothetical Wallabies U23’s and 2023 World Cup side, a player must currently be 18-23 and contracted to a Super Rugby club or ARU program.

Now this obviously excludes all those who will develop in club rugby for the next few years, as well as someone like Michael Hooper, who will still only be 31 in 2023.

But for now, lets stick to the criteria because it already looks like a half decent side.

Possible Wallabies 2023 World Cup side

1 Alan Alaalatoa (Brumbies)

While his brother Michael slipped through the cracks to New Zealand, Australian rugby officials will surely be doing everything they can to keep prop Alan Alaalatoa in the country. Playing behind some of Australia’s best front-rowers at the Brumbies, the 22-year old has shown plenty of promise in his 29 Super Rugby caps to date.

2. Andrew Ready (Reds)

23-year old Andrew Ready has been a standout in a disappointing Reds forward pack this year and appears to have already caught the attention of Michael Cheika. Ready has been described by Nick Stiles as “old school tough” and looks to have all the qualities of a future Wallabies No.2.

3. Tom Robertson (Waratahs)

In his first year of Super Rugby, Waratahs and Sydney Uni prop Tom Robertson has been outstanding and has added some much needed stability to the Tahs set piece in recent weeks. At just 21, Robertson is still maturing physically and will be an exciting prospect to follow in the years to come.

4. Ryan McCauley (Waratahs)

At 206cm and 106kg, 20-year old lock Ryan McCauley already has the physical presence needed for professional rugby and the scary thing is, he’s still growing. McCauley joined the Waratahs this year after impressing through school and was one of the most consistent performers in the Australia U20s squad this year, according to coach Adrian Thompson.

5. Lukhan Tui (Reds)

Like McCauley, it’s difficult not to get excited about Tui’s 198cm, 121kg frame, which has led to comparisons to Will Skelton. In his second year at Ballymore, the 19-year old’s “rugby development” is coming along nicely according to those at the Reds, who expect big things from Tui in the years to come.

6. Jack Dempsey (Waratahs)

Gordon junior Jack Dempsey jumped at an opportunity to start for the Waratahs earlier this year and has impressed ever since. The 22-year old mobile backrower is as strong around the field as he is at the breakdown and boasts both physicality and flair at 109kg and 191cm.

7. Sean McMahon (Rebels)

At 22, McMahon is already one of the most dominant players in Australia rugby and proved his credentials at last year’s World Cup. His physicality will only improve as he continues to grow into his body and he could easily lead Australia for the next ten years.

8. Jed Holloway (Waratahs)

After struggling for game time for a number of years, Jed Holloway was arguably the form Australian player of the Super Rugby season before injuring his shoulder. Before that, the 23-year old had made more metres and breaks per game than Israel Folau and looked in line for a Wallabies call up. Holloway recently had shoulder surgery but is expected to be back playing ahead of next year’s Super Rugby season.

9. Joe Powell (Brumbies)

22-year old scrumhalf Joe Powell has impressed for the Brumbies off the bench this year and was rewarded with a spot in Michael Cheika’s extended Wallabies squad earlier this year. Powell will develop behind Argentine international Tomas Cubelli for the next few years but will have plenty of time to play his way into a Wallabies jersey.

10. Lewis Holland (Aussie 7s)

Although Jake McIntyre and Jack Debreczeni have both begun to find their feet at Super Rugby level and continue to improve every week, I’m going to throw another name in the mix. Despite a disrupted year through injury, Lewis Holland has been one of Australia’s best on the sevens circuit for a number of seasons and is a player, like Bernard Foley, that could shift nicely back into the 15-man game in the years to come.

11. Reece Hodge (Rebels)

In his first year of Super Rugby, former Manly Marlins star Reece Hodge has been one of the Rebels best and was rewarded with a call up to the Wallabies squad mid year. The 21-year old looks comfortable in a number of positions and will only get better with experience.

12. Kyle Godwin (Force)

Kyle Godwin may have been around for a few years but I don’t think we’ve seen anywhere near his best rugby yet. The 23-year old has struggled with consistency in an underperforming Force outfit for a number of years but would benefit greatly from some time in a gold jersey, potentially on the Spring Tour later this year. Godwin is big enough to play as a ball running centre and skilled enough to be a second receiver/distributor – a combination of skills we haven’t seen in a Wallabies No.12 for quite some time. A move to the Brumbies could fast track his development.

13. Samu Kerevi (Reds)

Can you believe Samu Kerevi is only 22-years old? The 6’1, 108kg centre held his own against England and is another that will only continue to get better as his body matures. While Tevita Kuridrani is only 25, Kerevi could potentially push for a spot over his fellow Fijian native in the years to come.

14. Henry Hutchison (Aussies 7s)

As an 18-year old, Henry Hutchison set the Sevens world on fire in Sydney earlier this year and has continued to impress ever since, cementing his spot in the Australian starting side. While the Randwick junior will likely ply his trade on the Sevens circuit for the next few seasons, a shift back to the 15-man game could see him end up in Wallaby gold.

15. Andrew Kellaway (Waratahs)

Touted for years as the best schoolboy prospect since Kurtley Beale, Andrew Kellaway is beginning to live up to the hype and has looked comfortable at fullback for the Waratahs since debuting earlier this season. Whether he ends up at fullback, outside centre or on the wing, the 20-year old has speed to burn and could provide the x-factor the Wallabies need in the years to come.