By LeftArmSpinner -
June 28th 2009 @ 3:38am
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Wallabies strangle French in all round performance
The Wallabies, after the early shock of the step up in intensity, matched the French in the first half. The French didn’t get their tails up. This built up pressure which in turn tested the French discipline. They failed the test, conceding four 3rd quarter penalties. The game was then for the Wallabies to lose.
This Wallabies vintage doesn’t stop playing until the siren sounds. Rather than regroup and challenge the Wallabies, Les Bleus began clocking off, physically and mentally. This became apparent when, already 13 points behind, they opted for a penalty goal rather than seek a five pointer. Throughout these first three quarters, the whole Wallabies team tackled impressively.
But tonight was unique. We saw the future. Eddie Jones dreamt of players playing in the positions required by the play in front of them. It was never more than a dream in Eddie’s head. He didn’t have the coaching or man management skills to give the players the self belief to achieve it.
Robbie Deans is different. His players believe in themselves and think nothing of a prop going into to half back or a 13 going to the wing. In one long passage of multi phase play, it was hard to find a player playing in their selected position. It was wonderful to watch and very hard to defend against.
In the space of four weeks, Deans has transformed Australia’s underperforming Super 14 players into outperforming national team players. Every player, with the exception of Smith and Giteau, both of whom have continued their excellent form, have rediscovered their “A” game and armed it with excellent catching and passing skills.
There were several notable performances in an all round strangulation of the French. Nathan Sharp was everywhere. Burgess played like an extra forward. He tackled props “on the boil” and gave quick accurate ball to the backs, while keeping the defence guessing with his own running game.
Adam Ashley Cooper came of age as a fullback tonight. He was 100% secure under the high ball. He kicked well and in the second half began to cut loose with some great runs, the like of which we haven’t seen from him since he began wearing the Wallabies 15 jumper.
Turner, using his speed, continues to grow as a threat to defences. His handling has improved out of sight. He set up the first try tonight.
The only real concern was the below average kicking in general play. Over the past three weeks, Wallabies supporters have been spoilt by the kicking of Giteau and Barnes. Not so this week.
The next game, New Zealand in Auckland, will be another step up in intensity. If this Wallabies team can continue this season’s improvement rate, it could win some silverware in 2009.
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(13)
Who Needs Melon said | June 28th 2009 @ 6:17am | Report comment
LAS,
I agree with all your assesments. Another point I’d like to note is how well Pocock played when he came on. He wasn’t given much time but he REALLY impressed me with his intensity and work rate and made the most of the time he had. I think he came on for Horwill but he seemed to be playing at 7 to me. Conversely I didn’t notice Waugh much when he came on late.
I also thought Richard Brown had a barnstorming game. All this talk of “Palu and Elsom back soon” perhaps have brought the best out of him. They will probably give Palu a crack from the bench at some stage when he is fit but he now has to meet the bar Brown has set rather than walk into the team.
Elsom should still be walking into the team though. Mumm was better but nothing near the intensity and agression of blokes like Brown, Horwill, Pocock and Smith.
Rabbitz said | June 28th 2009 @ 8:18am | Report comment
The thing that I most enjoyed was the confidence that AAC, Mitchell and Turner showed when they started launching counter attack from deep inside the Wallaby 22. This was a stark contrast to previous seasons where it would have been a predictable kick.
I guess this is the Deans factor SWMBO commented that the counter attacks were very Crusaderesque.
The run on front row scrummaged well against a tricky and strong opposition, although Baxters binding was questionable at times (could this be a tactic?)
LeftArmSpinner said | June 28th 2009 @ 9:31am | Report comment
Melon, I agree. Pocock was great in his short spell.
It was a tough job listing the best players, as they all did well. Others that come to mind were Brown’s first half tackle was great. Robinson’s turnover late in the game was another sign of players growing in confidence and skill. Seeing Sharpe getting fired up was great, and out of character.
Rabbs, wasn’t it great to see the counter attack come back. SWMBO???? something something management Buy out????
Now on to the AB’s. If nothing else, it will be a cracking game.
Peter K said | June 28th 2009 @ 11:18am | Report comment
LAS I agree.
All except Mumm for the starting team played very very well. Out of the reserves Alexander, TPN (good throwing as well bar 1), Pocock, JoC all did really well in their short time as well. Yes Brown is responding to the pressure and Sharp had his best game for years. Smith deserved MoM though.
Only poor aspect was the kicking.
I still expect Palu to start after 1 or 2 games. We were average in getting over the advantage line it was only 60% it should be at 70%.
Harry said | June 28th 2009 @ 11:41am | Report comment
Agree with these points gents but I still want Palu back if he’s fit, maybe replacing Waugh on the bench to start with. Pocock showed last night he’s ready for top level test rugby now. And Elsom in for Mumm – if fit.
And test rugby is now place for Ben Alexander to learn the intracies of playing tight head, no matter how good he is (and he is) around the park.
Apart from that, not many changes and we are travelling well. Saw Lote on the telly playing club rugby yesterday and he was not hugely impressive or dominating. No doubt his agent is sounding out the Bunnies and the Frogs but he needs to move quickly as his man’s market value will decrease rapidly.
Rabbitz said | June 28th 2009 @ 2:34pm | Report comment
Sorry LAS
SWMBO – She Who Must Be Obeyed aka ‘er indoors…
retired rucker said | June 28th 2009 @ 2:52pm | Report comment
As posted on the other articcle,
LAS you will notice I disagree re Burgess and Baxter at TH any feedback? I’ll have to watch the replay
A solid win, the boys should be proud.
Peter K, your comments re Sharpe in previous posts made me change the way I watched that game, from a more detached and anyltical position than normal. I thought he played brilliantly in this game and after smith deserved MOM. I hope he keeeps improving and I noted he did’nt get dragged but Horwil did. I assume this is because he is a leader in the pack. I also reckon he made the most tackles of any forward.
Room for Improvement:
My other observations where:
Mumm needs to be given a wakeup in club rugby, was he on the field?
TH is still an issue although I thought the ref was a bit harsh, how many of the scrumswhere actually contested 3?, as an ex 5 this is extremely disapointing as it ruins the spectacle and cobativiness of the game. I think trestles rep will never change and as a result he will always be a liability wrt too the ref.
Half Back is another issue, in the second half Burgess made his only pass that was crisp and flat without taking a step. His running and passing are well read/telegraphed to the oppo. I’m not sure why he waits for the opp defence to form up 80% of the time he passes, he is frighteningly Greganesque. They must train this because the excuse of disruption is not available after this game. The AB’s and BOK will have his game well sussed by TN’s.
Would’ve been great to see Stirlo hold onto that ball, he would be pissed with himself.
Anyway I reckon the Wallas are going to be very competitive, time to start getting some odds off my Kiwi buddies!
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bennalong said | June 28th 2009 @ 4:06pm | Report comment
LAS
Great to be able to heartily agree with this post. Like you I was excited by the changes taking place. How this will translate into Wins against our foes is not as important as witnessing the growth of a real TEAM.
The boys are feeling good!
So am I.
Roll on Auckland
CronullaKiwi said | June 29th 2009 @ 8:57am | Report comment
Keep talking it up boys its just the way we like it.
bennalong said | June 30th 2009 @ 12:47am | Report comment
CronullaKiwi,
Your chosen moniker says you’re another reffo Kiwi and proud of it.
Like so many AB’s you left to chase the money. [ this may be a portent of what's to come with our footballers too, but at least Rocky came back to play for his country]
This has reduced your depth while ours has increased (for the moment,) both metaphorically and in reality.
Let me suggest you allow us our positive feelings. You are after all a visitor and our gains are real just as the current failings of the AB’s are real.
katzilla said | June 30th 2009 @ 1:16am | Report comment
Not all is as it seems Bennalong, seemingly wonderful combinations and brilliant players are soon found out when put under the blow torch. Whilst the current form of the Wallabies must be a pleasant change from scraping wins over 2nd or 3rd teams from the North (something we are getting a taste of), it can all turn to custurd if you should pick up an injury in a key position. If anyone of Baxter, Robinson, Giteau or Barnes goes down things suddenly aren’t too rosy.
Your depth is good, but lets not write cheques on it just yet.
LeftArmSpinner said | June 30th 2009 @ 1:12pm | Report comment
But isnt that the essence of sport. the ebbs and flows!! the expectation that is often shattered. But this year, even more so on the back of such a pathetic Tahs 2009 performance. ‘nough said. But the Wallabies should go close this year. last year they were close. this year hopefully closer. We dont want to peak too early!!!!! This is partly a joke, partly true!!! some silverware in 2009 would be good!!!!
Mike said | June 30th 2009 @ 4:29pm | Report comment
It was good to see the French turn in a good performance to test us out. French were often patchy, especially in the second half, but they are a class opponent which is what we needed. Their counter-rucking was impressive – we could learn something from that.