By Alan Nicolea -
July 19th 2009 @ 6:08am
Get a Roar profile
Loading ...Golden opportunity slips through Wallaby hands
Wallabies player Berrick Barnes held the moment in his hands. A moment which could have signaled an end to a 20 year Eden Park hoodoo against the All Blacks that would have laid the perfect platform for Australia to win their first Bledisloe Cup since 2002.
In a match defining moment in the first half, the Wallabies found themselves leading New Zealand by 13-3 when Barnes sliced through the All Blacks defence.
He had a golden opportunity to throw an inside ball to captain Stirling Mortlock that would have seen him score under the posts for a 17-3 lead.
Instead, Barnes hallucinated in the midst of having the chance to end an Eden Park curse that stretches back to the late 1980’s.
Barnes eventually threw a bad ball to George Smith which hit him the head, thus bringing an end to a period of play which held the key to unlocking a golden opportunity not just in the match, but for the rest of the Tri Nations.
Indeed, the Wallabies deserved to snatch such an opportunity given the way they played against their great rivals.
Robbie Deans’ men dominated the first twenty minutes of an encounter that saw the All Blacks play as if they were contesting a World Cup quarter-final.
Australia made the All Blacks pay for their lack of defensive structure with a neat try to Berrick Barnes in just the fifth minute of the contest.
Wallabies half Matt Giteau then scored a penalty to put his side up 10-0, and in a position to tighten the noose on the All Blacks.
But the lack of composure from Berrick Barnes in that critical moment in the first half proved to be the key in allowing the All Blacks back in the contest.
New Zealand captain Richie McCaw scored the All Blacks first try thanks to a brilliant offload from Comrad Smith.
From that moment on, the All Blacks kept biting away at an Australian lead that should have been more difficult to chase down.
After only trailing 13-10 at the break, the All Blacks clicked into the gear necessary to record a 22-16 win that once again places them in the box seat to retaining the Bledisloe cup for the seventh year in succession.
Although many will argue that the Wallabies should be proud of the way they pushed the All Blacks away from home, coach Robbie Deans should also be mightily disappointed with the lack of clinical play from his side.
Too many times did the last pass or kick go astray against an opponent that does not offer too many second chances.
Despite being without their chief playmaker in Dan Carter, the All Blacks still managed to make the Wallabies pay for their lack of respect for possession.
This is the component of the Wallabies game that is proving to be their Achilles heal when a rare chance at Bledisloe and Tri Nations glory presents itself.
It is no doubt holding back a side that is really putting in the necessary effort to finally reclaim Southern Hemisphere bragging rights.
Going to the Waratahs v Brumbies blockbuster at ANZ Stadium, Saturday 24 April? If you're keen to meet up with other Roarers, register you interest and we'll keep you informed on the place to meet. Register now.
Get Australia's best Rugby opinion emailed daily.
Like this content? Buzz it up!
Free Email updates:
Our daily emails are only sent if there is content for the sport or that author. You can subscribe to multiple daily emails; or get the daily Roar email with all our content in it. We value privacy. More...
(29)
Mitch O said | July 19th 2009 @ 6:22am | Report comment
Yes the Wallabies did dominate the first 20 mins but frankly so what?
This was a very very rusty AB’s performance and they still won. From where I was sitting the AB’s were a 25% better side by the end of the game and the Wallabies game was going backwards.
Why the Wallabies continue to persist with Al ‘take a dive’ Baxter is beyond me. They were also out coached, the AB’s turned up with a superior game plan, and surprisingly executed a superior kicking plan. Mortlock must be getting very tired of making the same old speech.
Yikes said | July 19th 2009 @ 8:17am | Report comment
Well, they persist with Al because he’s actually quite good. The video replays were not kind to Joubert’s decision making at scrum time.
Actually the ball that hit Smith’s head should have been play-on because off the head is not a knock-on. Brave ref who ruled that though!!
Knives Out said | July 19th 2009 @ 8:29am | Report comment
‘Well, they persist with Al because he’s actually quite good.’
That’s not strictly true. Baxter is still one of the least effective props playing test rugby. Granted some of the decsions were wayward, but then that has always been the case with scrum refereeing. My perception is that it was 50/50. At no point was Baxter pressurising Hore or Mealamu.
Yikes said | July 19th 2009 @ 8:38am | Report comment
KO, neither was the reverse true, though.
Knives Out said | July 19th 2009 @ 8:42am | Report comment
In terms of physicality, ruck defence, scrummaging, lineout-play, ball carrying and work rate I would strongly argue that Baxter is a very poor test prop. That’s just my opinion, obviously, but I would have to disagree with you, Yikes.
CronullaKiwi said | July 19th 2009 @ 8:48am | Report comment
Wallabies were blown away at the breakdown. The AB’s adopted a conservative style making good yards around the rucks and eventually eventually wore the wallabies down. Their clean outs were superb, was very proud of the packs performance tonight which was what I expected.
Joubert was spot on with Baxter, you can not complain about that. Replays showed Baxter on the ground bent over two fold while Woodcock was sprawled out forward, you dont have to be a scrum guru to work out whats going on here.
fred said | July 19th 2009 @ 9:00am | Report comment
yikes,youre looking thru rose tinted glasses if you think baxter is up to it ;you would be best advised reading KO ACCOUNT COS ITS MORE NEUTRAL.
the wallabies have the easy draw so lets hope the”belief”returns or deans will join tuqiri and save aru a lot of money
PB said | July 19th 2009 @ 10:18am | Report comment
It’s the optimistic “we’re getting there” attitude that is crucifying this wallaby team.
They sound exactly the Waratahs. “Oh, if we just do this… if this just happened… we’re almost there….”
“If” the ref had called the outrageous rushing defence ouffside that led to the 17th minute play, they would have conjured some other magic moment that lost the game for them. But they lost this before they walked out on the field. Since Eales, the Wallabies NEVER win when they should be favourites. Ergo, they never win when things are close.
Look at their wins in Sydney and SA last year – what followed? And what followed the most classic dissection of a SA team in Australia (49-0? I forget what year too); the worst game of rugby ever played, aerial ping-pong as Aus lost their nerve. Compare their last two WC exits to England – one favoured to win; one they were underdogs.
Luckily for Wallabies fans, if this “promising” loss is properly realised as the disaster it really is, they will go into their forthcoming games as clear under-dogs, and still be under-dogs for the next close contest against the ABs, and maybe know themselves well enough to win it.
But they really should have beaten this underdone AB side who will never be so weak again this year. Failure to admit a problem only makes the problem worse.
Justin said | July 19th 2009 @ 3:57pm | Report comment
Re the missed try opportunity I actually though Mortlock stuffed it up. I didnt see any reason to cut back inside. Had he satyed outside it was a draw and pass situation. I dont think Barnes was expecting Mortlocks move as it was unnecessary and he would not have had time to react and throw the right pass. Still should have scored but that was my feeling at the time. mortlock was quiet all night, very disappointing match from him.
Genia to start, Burgess cannot execute the basics. Not up to this standard I am afraid.
LeftArmSpinner said | July 19th 2009 @ 5:43pm | Report comment
Alan, I like your work but this time, I think it is a bit too simplistic. sure the try would have really helped the Wallaby cause, but they may have taken their foot off the accelerator earlier and more had they scored.
You have to play for 80 minutes!!! By play, I mean tackle ferociously, run straight and hard, not give away any penalties, contest at the breakdown and concentrate all the time!!!!
The Wallabies didnt do that and the AB’s, after weathering the early storm, did. they also played to the conditions in both halves. Hey presto, they won and deserved to win!!!
LeftArmSpinner said | July 19th 2009 @ 5:46pm | Report comment
Fred, KO is many things but neutral is not one of them, yea Knives???? Dont change tho. Who wants neutral? not me. there is enough of that in the newspapers!!!!
So knives, what about Crowley’s comment during the game that Baxter was having to hold you up so that he wouldnt get penalised?
mother teresa said | July 19th 2009 @ 6:06pm | Report comment
crowleys comment “having to hold up” i thought was a flashback to his undercover days . must admit scrum penalties are a scourge on the game.is the scrum a restart or a platform for attack.is it supposed to be an even contest. the punters just want to see the ball cleared without delay and the purist likes the contest as an end in itself.is this correct.who cares who goes down as long as the feed gets cleared.
the thing i like best about baxter is his terrific facial expressions,esp the mean look,;worth my foxtel bill
tarpo said | July 19th 2009 @ 6:13pm | Report comment
Fred,
You have been watching too many Reds games, don’t take it out on Deans just yet, he is only human, as KO said a bonus point loss in terms of the Tri Nations is not that bad.
Although like you I am terribly disappointed they did not take their chances with this one.
Genia at halfback will make an enormous difference to this team, if Robbie selects Burgess to start again next time then I must say I will be questioning his judgement.
katzilla said | July 19th 2009 @ 6:47pm | Report comment
This is the first Thread where the Ref hasn’t been blamed for the loss.
Good stuff.
Why don’t the Wallabies play a better ruck game? Its more then just being out muscled.
Deans is being out coached. The All Blacks never counter ruck at the first contact, they wait until the ruck is set and the Wallabies are attempting to clear the ball, then they commit waves to, at the very least, upset ball quality and at best get turnover ball.
( this i believe was highly responsible for Burgess’s poor showing, outside of that poor pass he threw but Joubert was in the way a bit there too)
It looks like the Wallabies go the ruck, see the ball on their side then decide its rest time.
Its not like its a new development, this same tactic saw the ABs through last years 3N.
Did Deans win those S14 titles?
Or was he just a glorified development officer?
Todd Blackadder almost took a fair inferior team to the semis.
Lemon?
johnnyboy said | July 19th 2009 @ 6:56pm | Report comment
If Burgess starts again even I will question Deans judgment – he’s a joke. Baxter is a joke. A significant proportion of the Wallaby team is a joke. Except Smith, Robinson, Turner, Barnes. Maybe Sharp and Horwill. The rest should go back to rugby school. Shameful performance. Shameful.
Peter K said | July 19th 2009 @ 6:57pm | Report comment
I do agree that Deans has yet to prove himself. His record is not that great and until the Wallabies win away from home more he has not improved the side significantly.
Having a feelgood warm & fuzzy is not enough.
I have agreed with his bench selections, use of the bench since he started. This year the tactics have been good until this game. He was outcoached here unless the players did not execute as per his plan. However the coach lives and dies by the results.
johnnyboy said | July 19th 2009 @ 6:58pm | Report comment
Actually Drew Mitchell wasnt that bad
Katipo said | July 19th 2009 @ 7:49pm | Report comment
Genia to start.
mother teresa said | July 19th 2009 @ 9:00pm | Report comment
CAN SOMEONE PLEASE tell me why waugh didnt get a run in keeping with the deans tactical plan?
Jolly Jupes said | July 19th 2009 @ 9:07pm | Report comment
Good Point MT – After spending the s14 haggling about whether to stay or go – Waugh stayed after discussions with Deans and some extra money from the Tahs. You would have to think that in the coaches mind now he is washed up otherwise why not use him as he has a history of at least being physically competitive in the big games. with Rocky coming back someone is going out the back door – then again it might be Mumm as Deans might refuse to let his 3 flanker strategy go
mother teresa said | July 19th 2009 @ 9:35pm | Report comment
JJ,clearly this is not rational behavior;if something is right in theory it is right in practice
whats needed is simplicity and transparency not fixation with an idea
mcxd said | July 19th 2009 @ 10:17pm | Report comment
Three things stood out for me.
1. Ive been a Burgess supporter for a while now, but gee this was by and far his worst game in any colours. mistake after mistake after mistake. His passing was shocking.
2. Scrums ? wtf goes on in there ?
3. The wallabies just dont have the guts to close out the close ones.
Further, i heard people talking about a new golden age for the wallabies. i was puzzled. They havent done anything yet and with yesterdays performance it didnt look like theyre on the verge of anything. Maybe if they beat ITaly and France by more than fifty and holding them to nil that would indicate something. But last night they just showed they are alot younger and inexperienced team that were used to seeing.
Knives Out said | July 19th 2009 @ 10:20pm | Report comment
I’ve answered that on the other thread, LAS. You’ll have to dig it out because I can’t recall.
N.B. I’m neutral-ish, I think.
Fuzz said | July 19th 2009 @ 10:34pm | Report comment
Wasn’t it less than 48hrs ago and most of posters in here were singing the praises of the Wallabies from the rooftops?
Australia have three weeks now to pull apart the All Blacks and South Africans and once again blow them up to be the best thing since sliced bread. In this time hopefully Dingo and co may realise that Genia deserves a start he was quite impressive in his short stint. Maybe Gits would’ve come out from under that shell he seemed to be hiding under at Auckland and Stirlo will step up to the plate and lead this team. Actually has anyone given thought to maybe handing the reins to Smith that bloke is class all round and he always leads by his actions.
But if anything guys stop blaming the ref it really is quite childish, maybe the Wallabies just believed their own PR driven hype as did many roarers and anyone who suggested otherwise was quickly cut down.
Knives Out said | July 19th 2009 @ 10:34pm | Report comment
..
because I can’t recall on what thread.
mcxd said | July 20th 2009 @ 7:35am | Report comment
was giteau playing ?
Dean Pantio said | July 20th 2009 @ 10:06am | Report comment
This is what went wrong for the Wallabies:
Burgess – a nobody who gained a reputation as a halfback because he would run the ball in contrast to the latter years of Gregan’s career. All the commentators were wetting themselves at having a halfback who sniped around the edges. Only problem is Burgess can’t pass, a key requirement you’d think. He had an appalling game.
Sharpe – good in the lineout and a shirker of hard work anywhere else. He has the build to match Botha and Thorn in the tight, but not the mentality.
Palu – In there by default on account of his size. Doesn’t play 80mins.
Baxter – Quite clearly was told he was binding on Woodcock’s arm. A man who has a well deserved reputation as being a scrum bunny was up against one of the best looseheads in the world. No one in their right mind would call Baxter one of the best tightheads in the game, so why are people surprised he got done?
Giteau – went awol, althought to be fair the service he was getting from Burgess can’t make it easy to shine.
Barnes – one poor option which cost them seven points and would have made a huge difference to the game.
Mumm – invisible.
Poor selection and strategy by Deans selecting three opensides. This had been tried before by the Wallabies without good effect.
Notably, the Wallabies have started tests extremely well but tend to fade as the game progresses. The All Blacks on the other hand seem to strat slowly (poorly) and then build into the game establishing dominance.
bennalong said | July 20th 2009 @ 1:56pm | Report comment
They wouldn’t have lost if quite a few players didn’t fall short., but this habit of calling for scalps in the Roar, the moment things go wrong, is reactionary bull !
Burgess had a shocker, Mitchell had a shocker, Barnes was mixed but threw a dream try, Giteau went back to standing 15 metres behind Burgess, Sharpe was crap, O’Connor blew it, and once again Baxter can’t scrummage.
Chuck ‘em all out, eh?
I don’t think so. Eden Park and the AB’s do carry a hoodoo!
It’s early in the season. Keep the faith.
LeftArmSpinner said | July 21st 2009 @ 9:05am | Report comment
Knives, I would say not neutral, but forthright!!! nothing wrong with that, particularly on the Roar!!!!!