By LeftArmSpinner
October 9th 2008 @ 12:20am
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The Wallabies need to balance winning with renewal
The Wallabies selectors’ job is far from over. Having chosen the lucky 34 players for the upcoming Northern tour, they now need to select players that can break the Wallabies hoodoo of winning on the road while also renewing the squad.
This challenge is made that much more difficult by the opportunities missed recently at the selection table.
I propose the following strategy and specific team, bench and back ups to implement the strategy.
I require every player to play aggressively, physically, and with an indomitable will, and with the highest fitness and skill execution levels for 80 minutes in all conditions and locations and in all games.
No exceptions.
Wallabies coach Deans sensibly chose evolution rather than revolution and gave the incumbents the first opportunity in the past four months to show whether they can deliver this.
Now, renewal must be hastened to determine whether the pretenders can deliver the required performances.
Fullback: Ashley Cooper, with back ups of Mitchell and Turner. Ashley Cooper is not currently a fullback but he is the best we have at the moment and needs to be supported.
Wingers: Hynes and Mitchell. Hynes has been a revelation and has shown Tuqiri up. Tuqiri needs the wakeup call of being dropped. Turner joins the bench.
Outside Centre: Cross, with Ashley Cooper as the backup. Mortlock has gone missing as both captain and senior player. His body is on the wane after so much injury and surgery. He will not be here for the next World Cup and there are at least two valid options to take his place.
Inside Centre: Barnes, with Tahu as the backup. The Giteau/Barnes 10/12 is the correct selection and the pairing needs more time.
5/8: Giteau, with Barnes as back up and Cooper next in line, as Beale is not touring.
1/2: Burgess with Sheehan as backup.
8: Palu backed up by Brown.
7: Smith backed up by Pocock.
6. Brown backed up by Mumm, McMeniman and Chisholm.
Second Row: McMeniman and Sharpe, backed up by Mumm and then Chisholm.
4,5 and 6 are connected and problematic positions with the exit of Vickerman and Elsom and Horwill’s injury. This has benefited Sharpe and his experience.
Hooker: Moore backed up by Freier.
Front Row: Robinson and Baxter with Alexander and Kepu as back up.
The bench is:
16. Freier
17. Alexander
18. Mumm
19. Pocock
20. Sheehan
21. Tahu
22. Turner
All bench players will get at least 20 minutes game time.
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tarpo said | October 9th 2008 @ 10:54am | Report comment
LAS you are pretty much on the money here, the only problem is that with 5 tests in a row there may need to be some rotation, particularly in the forwards. Even though Italy have one of the strongest packs in Europe it maybe prudent to start a large portion of the backup players, with some experience on the bench if they get into trouble. Then with 3 hard tests against England, France & Wales it will be all hands to the pump. Like you & most of the other Roarers I am eagerly awaiting to see how Robbie the master coach manages this tour. Once the ABs were added into the start, this is an arduous schedule.
Dave74 said | October 9th 2008 @ 11:21am | Report comment
LAS,
Agree with most of the selections though cannot see how Palu deserves to hold his place over Brown at 8. I would have Brown at 8 with MMM at 6 (he shouldn’t be picked at lock until he learns how to push in the scrum). The thought of Sharpe and MM as the locking pair sent a chill up the spine of this old prop as neither are reknowned for the effort they put in at scrum time. Pur Mumm in at lock as he seems to know how to push in the scrums. Also, think Deans will need to go with a 4/3 split on the bench (unless you have Dunning there) with full front row coverage.
Dave74 said | October 9th 2008 @ 11:22am | Report comment
Sorry, meant 5/2 split on the bench with Tahu dropping out of the squad.
True Tah said | October 9th 2008 @ 12:02pm | Report comment
LAS,
I can see the whole problem with Australian rugby represented in your list…you start at 15 and make your way down to 1!
Games aren’t won by backs, but by props.
And I agree with Dave, Brown should be no. 8, he played like he wanted to keep hold of the jersey, Palu has played well for several games this year, but at super rugby level the man was unstoppable, where was the hatred when he pulled on the gold jersey? There was no sting in his tackles, Carter made him look like a fool in Brisbane.
LeftArmSpinner said | October 9th 2008 @ 7:29pm | Report comment
Tarpo, I agree but I though it best to start at the start. Injuries and 5 games in 5 weeks will be tough and need managing.
As regards the Italy game, I suggest that it is better to go with an experienced team and then bring the subs on after 50 minutes. If the senior players cant dispatch them in 50, then the subs need to be given the chance to prove the selectors wrong.
I am a very big fan of Dingo but I think he missed an opportunity at the selection table. We will see.
Dave74, Palu is an interesting one. With the changes in the second row and at 6, I thought it better to just change three forwards (4, 5 and 6) and Brown may be required at 6. Mumm at lock would work.
Tahu’s position on the bench is essential given the fractured season he has already had. We need to find out about him asap.
True tah, as a former fullback, I beg to differ, but anyway, no one seems to have sorted out the front row in the past 5 years or so. I agree about Brown, he has shown the “criteria” I set out in the article. I agree that Palu has not delivered at test level. No reason why he cant tho. Maybe it is confidence or feeling at home. He could also be carrying an injury.
It is a balancing act, renewal V winning, evolution v revolution.
mcxd said | October 9th 2008 @ 9:49pm | Report comment
Just some of my thoughts;
Why Cordingly ? Hes off after the tour .. Ben Lucas would have been my choice he played fantastic for the Reds and in the ARC. He more than deserves a chance. Second best Aus half in the S14 in my opinion. I hope Burgess is fit. One of the most exciting players for the Wallabies for some time in my opinion.
Cooper for me looks like he plays like a rock star, always trying to score the try or set up the play with some flashy move. It seems to me his play is all about him. His play in the Jnr World Cup earlier in the year especially in the game against England was disasterous. Its a shame Beale has been injured for most of the international season.
For all this talk about McMeniman being the next best thing, maybe im wrong and someone can correct me but not once has he made me take notice let alone stood out in any team hes played in that ive watched. I honestly havent seen anything yet.
Sharpe ? I suppose you have to keep him after Vickerman gone and Horwill injured. Hes got the experience but so often in the last few years hes gone missing in most games. The only game i was impresed was against the ABs in Perth. He had some fire in his belly, sadly what ususally lacks in the Wallabies for the last few years. If Vickerman and Horwill was in Sharpe wouldnt be.
Chisholm, another who has been in the squad for a number of years with little effect..In my opion hes had his chances, very lucky to get another.
Props ? God help us. though i must say it does seem that there has been some improvement from the previous years.
I agree with pretty much everyone about Palu, Iast week i had a look at the Tahs v sharks game played earlier in the year which i taped. Palu was a menace in attack and defence. Lets change the Wallabies jersey to light blue.
LAS, im not saying your right or wrong but are we using this tour for gettign players ready for the 2011 WC ? I wouldnt use that as an excuse of getting rid of Mortlock. If thats the goal then maybe, but I still think Mortlocks the best 13 by a considerable margin and much too early to discard players for building up to WC. His captaincy skills may be a bit off though.
I agree with AAC as fullback, mitchell seems to have a few howlers each game, just not safe or consistant enough.
With all this negativity i do have some positives, in that delighted to see Kimlin selected, he was the standout forward in the Australia A team earlier in the year.
LeftArmSpinner said | October 9th 2008 @ 10:13pm | Report comment
mcxd, i agree with you. but we have to work from the sqaud selected. Hence compromises with Sharpe and generally 4, 5, 6 and 8.
Mortlock is not a suitable leader for an emerging team. too much scar tissue from previous squads. We need someone is is uncompromising in their desire to win and show the way when the chips are down (Auckland, Brisbane and J’Burg).
Kimlin is a good choice but what about Hocking from force. Also, the next big thing, remember Heenan. he’s gone from QLD to Japan via ACT without trace. He was favourably compared to Eales!!!!
Benjamin said | October 9th 2008 @ 11:03pm | Report comment
May I point out that when the chips were down in SA in the final away test James Horwill was getting his head kicked in by the SA pack. Mortlock and the rest of the backs were automatically playing behind the gainline. Furthermore he is the only Wallaby, George Smith and Elsom aside, that NZ and SA respect. Frankly I don’t know how you would judge a players uncompromising desire to win but it is patently clear that Mortlock has been Australia’s most physical player for years. Were Horwill able to jockey the pack onto greater heights then he could be a candidate, but until then I doubt the backs would enjoy watching their captain struggling in the forward clinches. I’m not sure what scar tissue you would refer to either because prior to Australia’s win in the Republic he was one of the few Wallabies to have won in SA. I would suspect that is quite significant when a captain is giving a speech about how to win in SA. Also look at how Richie McCaw had improved as a captain following the WC debacle. Not much scar tissue there. likewise England’s 1999 WC pack contained eventual 2003 winners Leonard, Vickery, Johnson, Grewock, Hill, Back and Dallaglio. Look at the awful 2007 WC efforts from Wales and then note their recent Grand Slam success. There is no such thing as scar tissue in rugby. Mortlock is the one player to have escaped real criticism in the Wallabies barren years. Personally he strikes me as the perfect link to the new players.
LeftArmSpinner said | October 10th 2008 @ 4:16am | Report comment
Just as the best salesman doesn’t necessarily make the the best sales manager, so, the best player, and Mortlock has been a very, very good player, is not necessarily the best captain.
Scar tissue was a play on the fact that he has endured so many major injuries and that he has been in the Wallabies team during a less than stellar period. You make the point that he was the only player to have won in SA, demonstrating how many games he has lost against SA in that period.
Mortlock and his tired, battle scarred body, is under pressure from Cross, AAC and possibly in the future,Tahu. And then there is Horne coming through also.
Scar tissue, both physical and psychological, exists in rugby. It is one of the differences, in the past 8 years, between the Wallabies and the AB’s or the Tahs and the Crusaders.
Mortlock has had plenty of opportunity to show his leadership skills, either as a senior player or as captain. remember he went out on the raz on the previous NH trip in 2006, in Italy I believe. He wont be around for the next RWC is there is no point in giving him time to develop into a leader. Too late. Lets try Giteau or Horwill or, on his return, Elsom. They all play uncompromising, competitive and never say die rugby. Burgess, Barnes, Brown or later, Beale, could, down the track, also develop into captain material for the same reasons.
I am in favour of ASAP appointing the next Wallabies captain, someone who can take the youngsters and build them into a tightknit group for the next RWC.
Benjamin said | October 10th 2008 @ 4:53am | Report comment
That’s true, the best salesman doesn’t necessarily make the best sales manager but when you measure the qualities of a captain in terms of physicality and aggression, as you have been, then Mortlock has had that box ticked for a long, long time.
I assumed you had meant scar tissue in a mental context however if Deans and Fisher have been confident to start him then he must be in fine physicaly condition. The fact that he has been in so many losing teams speaks volumes for his consistency and the fact that he has been in a team that understands how to win in SA. He is the only link to the Eales era. In any case I do not belive in mental scar tissue because so many teams have bounced back from defeat and disaster, as my previous list illustrates.
This tour to Europe could be a game changer. Firstly precious IRB points are being put on the line and secondly Deans will be under massive pressure if Australia doesn’t perform. Although Australia beat SA twice in the recent 3N most rugby fans are aware that we haven’t seen the best of that team and thus the true litmus test will be this autumn. To that extent the Australia of Deans has not been consolidated. Matt Giteau has been far more inconsistent that Mortlock recently and what is there to suggest that Horwill has played as hard as you say?
LeftArmSpinner said | October 10th 2008 @ 12:48pm | Report comment
the criteria are for all players, including the captain. the captain’s criteria are those and more.
Mortlock qualifies on all the player criteria but this needs to be balanced against renewal. captiancy is a different issue. As for scar tissue, Wallabies have scar tissue about winning away, and NZ generally. This is changing with Deans help but it has not been achieved yet and the longer that the old wood is around, the more likely it is that the new players will be “infected” by the older players, Dunning, Tuqiri, etc.
He went from aggressive firebrand to Qld captain and wallaby starter. now first second rower picked. Other than that, just watch him. Horwill has been one of the finds this season.
True Tah said | October 10th 2008 @ 1:11pm | Report comment
Benjamin,
re: scar tissue and whether it exists or not, the real test will be if Dunning takes to the field against Sheridan.
I have a feeling Dunning will have memories of Sheridan monstering him back in Marseille in 07 and this will hurt our chances.
Having said that, I think England may have the better of us at Twickenham.
stu said | October 10th 2008 @ 4:29pm | Report comment
With Elsom and Vickerman out Mortlock and smith are our only possible world 22 players and some of you guys are parroting on about scar tissue…wtf
Benjamin said | October 10th 2008 @ 8:59pm | Report comment
Tah, I’m not sure how you could even measure this mental baggage. Despite his various shellackings over the years whenever I see Baxter getting ready to scrum he is gurning and gritting his teeth like nobody’s business. I bet he doesn’t not give his all, much like Dunning - which as a professional, I could only presume to be the case.
LAS, I’m sorry, what does “infected” mean?
LeftArmSpinner said | October 11th 2008 @ 6:59pm | Report comment
Dunning is but one example of the old guard who didnt make it, despite many opportunities. Enough is enough. Give someone else a go.
STU, Mortlock wouldn’t make the world 15 so definitely not the 22 as he doesnt have the speed to be a genuine utility. Smith would be on the bench behind McCaw. For me, Giteau would make the squad either as 12 or bench.
And therein lies the problem. So, if the current players dont rank, lets find some who have the potential to make it.
We have the example of the Aust cricket team. They are a very effective and successful team over an extended period, having had to overcome WSC player drain and resultant thrashings to establish a dynasty that has lasted 20 years. When they falter, Ashes or in India, they redouble their efforts at the very next chance, and turn the result around in no uncertain terms.
Despite having a very inexperienced bowling attack on the current trip to India, they have shown through yet again.
Where are the Wallaby equivalents of Steve Waugh’s or Border’s competitiveness? No one springs to mind. Farr Jones and Eales were the last. Maybe Elsom or Horwill or Burgess, or Giteau but none have been fully tested in that senior role. Then, where are the reliability and aggressiveness of Ponting or Hayden or Langer or the courage of Lee’s long spells at pace or the redefining of roles such as Gilchrist??
I have to admit that I have to reconsider my initial post. Let me restate my initial argument. The criteria I set out remain valid but, most current Wallaby players have not achieved these criteria consistently. This draws me to the conclusion that it is a cultural problem. Deans can help, but not with the current players and captain.
As they say, Stupidity is repeating the same thing while expecting a different outcome.
Coaching:
Most senior coaches will tell you that they are given a squad of quality players that require some tactics but little direction as they come already to play. They certainly dont need to motivate the players.
Compare this to the Wallabies, in June, they arrived at national training at less than full fitness, incapable of competent scrummaging, unable to win away from home and having capitulated when it got physical in some of the biggest games.
We require a much more proactive approach to this fundamental problem with decisiveness about dropping players who are not performing. New Captain, new, fitter players and deeper coaching resources.