Last throw of the dice for the Robbie Deans Wallabies

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By Spiro Zavos, 10 Oct 2009 Spiro Zavos is a Roar Expert

Tagged:: Alan Jones, Berrick Barnes, Matt Giteau, robbie deans, Rocky Elsom, Rugby Union, wallabies

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The ARU’s handout on the selection of the 35-man Wallabies squad for the 2009 Spring Tour, including a grand slam series in the UK, led with the fact that seven uncapped players had been included and also that Robbie Deans has selected a new captain in Rocky Elsom and new vice-captain in Berrick Barnes.

My old chief of staff years ago and a great mentor at the Sydney Morning Herald, Keith Martin, would have tossed my copy into a waste paper basket if I’d presented him with this lead.

“Get your lead right, sonny,” he’d say in his terse way.

So into the basket goes the ARU’s lead.

The real lead is that Deans has set up a new leadership team for the Wallabies. The usual suspects, the former incumbent Stirling Mortlock and George Smith, the last Wallaby captain, have been discarded for two players, neither of whom are captains or have been captains of their respective Super Rugby teams.

Elsom is far and away the best Wallaby forward.

He is an 80 minute man in a pack that often has not much more than 40 strong minutes in it. He is hyped on victory. He is tough, brutal and passionate in the Simon Poidevin tradition. He might not make the best after-dinner speeches or mouth those platitudinous sound-bites that someone like George Gregan was adept at.

But he will be a fearless and uncompromising leader on the field, as solid as a rock as his name suggests, which is something the Wallabies have lacked for some years.

Making Barnes the vice-captain is a sign that Deans sees him as the brains of the backline, the playmaker who sets up plays for his outside backs and who takes the team around the field in a measured, calculating and smart way.

We had a story earlier in the week in the SMH from Greg Growden (who is well-informed on these inside matters) that Giteau is unhappy with the possibility of being taken out the play-making role of first five-eighths in favour of Barnes.

I hope the story is right, not the unhappiness part, but the likelihood that Giteau is being moved out, at least to inside centre or even further out to the wing (something I’ve advocated for a while).

Giteau is an instinctive highly-skilled player who is best suited as a strike weapon rather than as a playmaker, setting up plays for the other strike players. When I think of Giteau, the image of Carlos Spencer comes to mind.

Playing such gifted players at first five-eighths is the equivalent of playing them in straitjackets.

Barnes, as far as I’m concerned, is the ideal playmaker.

He has a good kick. He passes nicely. He can make a break while taking the ball to the line. But most importantly, he plays what is in front of him rather than what comes into his mind.

Both Elsom and Barnes are not part of the corroding faction within Australian rugby, a faction that is lead by some former senior Wallabies and disaffected former officials, and gets support from the RUPA (the players’ union) to bring down John O’Neill, the CEO of the ARU, who in his first incarnation as CEO tried to keep the greed of the newly professional players under some sort of control.

I can hear Keith Martin saying to me now: “How is this related to your headline, son?”

Well, one of the consistent themes of Deans’ selections since he took over two years ago has been the way he has tried to change the culture of the side from what may be described as a RUPA-like sense of entitlement without the achievements to back up the claims, to a side that puts playing well and successfully for the Wallabies above all other considerations.

He has tried to get rid of the corroding elements or put them in a position where their ability to influence (for the worse) the younger players is greatly restricted.

The headline “last throw of the dice” element in the selection relates to the gamble Deans has taken to discard the leadership of players who have been involved in the Wallabies for most of this century for two players of lesser experience.

Elsom has played 44 Tests. Barnes has played 21. Stirling Mortlock has played 80 Tests. And George Smith 105.

The other aspect about Elsom and Barnes is that they don’t push their agendas in public, and they don’t contrive to undermine the position of other players with comments that can be read as criticisms of what the coach might be wanting to try out with them and the other players.

For better or for worse, this is the leadership team that will take the Wallabies through to the 2011 RWC tournament in New Zealand.

Deans will want this new leadership to make a difference right now, for this is what the Wallabies need after a disgraceful Tri-Nations (aside from a glorious victory over the Springboks at Brisbane).

The Wallabies face a formidable Spring Tour.

They play the All Blacks at Tokyo, an opposition that has historically the best away-from-home record of any side in world rugby.

Then there are the Grand Slam Tests starting with England at Twickenham on 7 November.

England will have Jonny Wilkinson back, and he is back to his match-winning best. The referee is Bryce Lawrence (NZ) which should be a slight advantage for the Wallabies as they are familiar with his style from Super Rugby matches.

On 15 November, the Wallabies play Ireland, the form team in Europe.

The referee is the South African Jonathan Kaplan.

Kaplan has a reputation of being tough on the Wallabies. But he was the referee in Wellington who played a very, very long extra time and then gave a penalty to the Wallabies for John Eales to kick the winning goal.

On 21 November, the Wallabies play Scotland. The referee is R. Poite, who I guess is a Frenchman, but I haven’t seen him in a major Test.

This shapes up to be the easiest of the Grand Slam Tests, although Scotland has the biggest pack of the Home Unions.

The tour finishes on November 28 with the Test against Wales, who fancy their chances this year of defeating the All Blacks and the Wallabies.

The referee is Wayne Barnes, the Englishman who New Zealanders’ reckon torpedoed their 2007 RWC chances at Cardiff against France.

Barnes has been in New Zealand refereeing and it may be that exposure to Southern Hemisphere rugby might have enlightened him about the fairness of the methods and systems used in this part of the rugby world.

There is a mid-week match against Gloucester on 3 November which, even though the uncapped Wallabies will make up some of the team, should be a victory.

Given this, anything less than four wins out of the six matches would make the tour a failure.

The hope is, of course, that the Wallabies will emulate the famous 1984 side and achieve a second Grand Slam.

We need some context here, though.

The notes to the ARU’s handout suggest that this is the eighth potential Grand Slam tour. The Wallabies have won only one Grand Slam since the 1928/29 NSW Waratahs (the Queensland Rugby Union was not re-formed until 1929) first tried to pull off the sequence of four Tests wins against the Home Unions.

The Springboks and the All Blacks have both achieved four Grand Slams out of eight attempts.

2009, 25 years after the first Wallabies Grand Slam, is the appropriate time for Australian rugby to celebrate another Grand Slam triumph.

As the ARU notes point out, 17 members of the Spring Tour squad hadn’t been born when Alan Jones coached a marvellous team to a memorable sequence of victories against the Home Unions.

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The Crowd Says (80) | Page 1 of Comments

Knives Out said | October 10th 2009 @ 6:59am | Report comment

The general consensus seems to be that Elsom is a good choice for the captaincy, which seems at odds with the criticism he received following the recent thumping by NZ. Elsom may well turn out to be a great choice, but it seems that he is unthinkingly being heralded as the perfect choice – much like Deans was – without any deep consideration. For example, I notice that it is generally accepted on the Roar that the captaincy badly affected George Smith to the point of him being usurped by David Pocock. Surely, therefore, it is a massive risk to promote one of Australia’s better forwards to this position, especially given that he has no captaincy experience. My perception is that this is an act of desperation from Deans which probably is a last throw of the dice. What happens if Elsom struggles with the burden? Conversely, Barnes is an intelligent and understated footballer who doesn’t overplay his hand the way that Giteau does. His ascent to the position of vice-captain seems completely logical now that the captaincy has been removed from the midfield.

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- Mr cheese said | October 10th 2009 @ 7:14am | Report comment
  
  Knives,
  
  good day, dear boy. Correct me if I am wrong, but didn’t the Aussies beat England at Twickenham the last team they were here ??? I thought they beat us quite convincingly. If so, how can things have gone downhill quite so fast ?
  
  I’m not really a Rugby Union expert, as you can see, but I would like one day to see England play Australia. Are you going, Knives ???
  
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  - Knives Out said | October 10th 2009 @ 8:11am | Report comment
    
    Australia did indeed beat England last November, Mr cheese, and for the second consecutive time away (or is it third?). However, I don’t think the win was particularly convincing (none of Australia’s performances on their European tour were particularly convincing). From what I recall England won the majority of possession but played naive rugby. Australia defended and kicked and won, and good for them. They got the result they wanted. I think that things have gone downhill because Deans has made various selection errors, he hasn’t helped the players improve their skills (or they haven’t helped themselves and he has still selected them) and he hasn’t developed viable tactics that suit the team, allied to domestic accusations of player power and a poor attitude. I’m not going to the match because I will most likely be in Germany for the David Haye fight.
    
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    - Jerry said | October 10th 2009 @ 8:48am | Report comment
      
      When you look at the England v SA and v NZ games from last November, it does put the Aus win in perspective.
      
      Reply
      - Knives Out said | October 10th 2009 @ 4:57pm | Report comment
        
        It seems that 42 really is the magic number.. (Hitchhiker’s Guide anyone?)..
        
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    - Mr cheese said | October 10th 2009 @ 11:12am | Report comment
      
      Ah,
      
      David V Goliath ????
      
      I am no boxing expert but they say that, by punching up, Haye will lose much of his power.
      
      It does look ridiculous. How can you beat a man who is about 4 feet taller than you ????
      
      J’exaggere a little but you get the point.
      
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      - Knives Out said | October 11th 2009 @ 3:49am | Report comment
        
        Valuev isn’t as terrible as people make him out to be but he has got a head the size of a bath tub. Haye can’t fail to hit it. That said, Haye is technically a poor boxer but I think he should have too much power. If a washed up Holyfied basically beat Valuev then I would expect Haye too. However, he will most likely have to knock him out what with the fight being in Germany. I think Haye can do it, and he has often commented that slimming down to light heavy affected his performances.
        
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- kingplaymaker said | October 10th 2009 @ 10:36am | Report comment
  
  Nice point KO: it seems that everyone assumes that as Elsom is such a dominating and sucessful player (though I disagree with the statement in the article that he is far and away better than George Smith), he will be a dominating and successful captain, which is a big leap indeed.
  
  Perhaps the real reason behing this is that Deans wants to take more power away from older, demanding players like Mortlock and Giteau, so as to have more himself and influence the team more strongly as a result.
  
  It’s also not impossible that a lot of the older players are still annoyed at the firing of Tuqiri and feel that their generation has been treated badly.
  
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- Dan said | October 10th 2009 @ 12:16pm | Report comment
  
  I think you’re looking at this from the wrong angle Knives. George Smith was burdened by the captaincy due to his character… he seems a relatively introverted, quiet kind of player that focuses on getting the best of himself, but is not necessarily adept at getting it from anyone else. Elsom on the other hand is an aggressive and passionate player who is capable of leading by example and delivering orders to his troops in a far more rallying manner. George Smith is a brilliant technical player, Elsom is more fire and brimstone, and that’s what the wallabies need.
  
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  - Pat said | October 10th 2009 @ 12:41pm | Report comment
    
    John Eales was a pretty quiet guy and struggled for some time (admittedly under a troubled regime) before growing into one of our greatest captains. Nick Farr-Jones also took some time to get going…
    
    I just hope Elsom is given the time to grow into the role. The idea that a team that has just had a shocking season at home should go off and win a European grand slam with a new captain and no second rowers is a little crazy to me.
    
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  - Knives Out said | October 10th 2009 @ 5:01pm | Report comment
    
    II could be completely wrong, Dan. The proof of the pudding is in the eating.
    
    Reply
    - Knives Out said | October 11th 2009 @ 3:55am | Report comment
      
      Also, Dan, the captain is often the conduit between the coach and the team, and thus needs to be on the same tactical wavelength. It’s said that it took Johnson years to really mature into the role, and so I wonder if someone so inexperienced is what Australia really needs right now? Johnson was one of those ‘follow me’ players but that didn’t bring immediate success for England. It took a lengthy period and the input of various other leaders: Leonard, Vickery, Back, Dallaglio, Dawson, Wilkinson and Catt. That 1997 Lions team also had a multitude of leaders. Elsom and Barnes are being placed in a new and tough position, IMO.
      
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sheek said | October 10th 2009 @ 7:28am | Report comment

Great article Spiro,

Can’t add to it’s contents other than to say, “well written”.

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Shahsan said | October 10th 2009 @ 8:39am | Report comment

If nothing else, Rocky Elsom has a great sense of humour — if that helps.

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LeftArmSpinner said | October 10th 2009 @ 8:58am | Report comment

Mr Cheese, good point, about last year’s game at twickers but both teams were at the bottom of the curve (assuming they are on a curve) and the Wallabies (and I suspect) the Poms have remained there.

Knives, the reality is that there was no one else to choose as C and VC. Can Elsom and Barnes do it? We just dont know.

But, here are the justifications, if you like.

1. Deans announced and paraded both C and VC. In other words, they are a team who together with Deans, will be empowered, responsible and encouraged to grab this team by the scruf of the scrot. They are also a likely combination as both play the same way, same school, a period in league, not the most gifted but certainly committed as players and exactly what this team needs NOW.

2. Elsom has been contributing to Ruggamatrix and other media. he is elequent, thoughtful and erudite, but neither Churchill or NFJ. After all, he’s a forward.

3. Barnes, still a kid really, gave us a glimpse of the future at the press conference. Asked what he thought about his appointment, Barnes, with a boyish smile on his face, said “Pretty Stoked, yea, pretty stoked!” The journo questioned “stoked”. Barnes replied, this time with a steely look, “Yea, Stoked. There’s a new word for ya mate!!!”

Brilliant and exactly what we need. I interpret Barnes performance as that of an unaffected, relaxed, engaging young man, who when challenged, stood his ground, did not yield and showed a glimpse of steel under the surface.

4. Elsom and Barnes cause not but it will be a help having Giteau, and all the bad lessons learned from past wallabies, isolated and in the minority.

If you are a Cooper or an O’Connor, and I observed this in a former Roar article, they gravitated to the Giteau/Drew Mitchell/Force faction, where hair streaks and product are required for entry.

Now, if they are smart, they will realise that they need to gravitate and behave like Barnes rather than Giteau. Sadly, like an HIV carrier, Giteau saw Gregan get away with blue murder at close quarters at Brumbies and Wallabies level for years. He was feted as a legend with the firepower saga. He carries this infection and will need to rise above it to achieve his potential or he will be gone too.

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- Knives Out said | October 11th 2009 @ 3:56am | Report comment
  
  Lefty, see above your post.
  
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Francis O'Keeffe said | October 10th 2009 @ 9:18am | Report comment

Yeah good article Spiro. I would like to see you hold Deans accountable for continuing to play Giteau at no 10 however.

As for the leadership choices, I like them.

Elsom is young but experienced enough to take the role. I don’t know if he’ll be a great cpatain, only time will tell. The Wallabies lack leaders right now, and players like Mortlock and Smith didn’t seem to command the role too well. I suppose when you look at others who’ve failed, you might as well have a try with Rocky. If it doesn’t work the Wallabies haven’t lost much.

Barnes is the best possible choice for vice captain. Lots of people think he be a good captain “ONE DAY”, but not today – it’s too soon. It therefore follows that making him a vice-captain is a nice apprenticeship. I’m a huge fan of Barnes and I think he’s far and away Australia’s best back. There’s a maturity about his game that I enjoy watching.

The instant Rocky Elsom played poorly on his much awaited return various international posters here at The Roar were quick to write him off and the reactions of the Aussie supporters as a hyperbole. Elsom was Australia’s best player in the 2008 Super 14. He was the best player in the 2009 Heinekin Cup. In between he was one of the Wallabies best players. His performance in the 2008 Sydney Test was fantastic. I loved the part where Elsom had the ball and the All Blacks were calling the players they were going to defend.

All Black #1: I’ve got Shapre
James Horwill: I’ve got Rocky
All Black #3: I’ve got Giteau

* Rocky runs at James Horwill.
* Rocky goes straight though and scores a try.

Anyway I’m going off course. It’s disrespectful and wrong for people to write Rocky off based on one performance. He’s a terrific player and one of the few Wallabies who really embraces the physicality of each Test.

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Rickety Knees said | October 10th 2009 @ 9:50am | Report comment

Great insightful article Spiro

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bennalong said | October 10th 2009 @ 10:07am | Report comment

Get your lead right sonny, er Spiro.
This isn’t the last throw of the dice…………….that comes at he World Cup. No sooner

As a staunch Deans fan I have been disappointed by results.(Shattered?)
But that’s because the style of play HAS changed, there are more yellow jerseys around the ball in both attack and defence, and, given a breakdown that is heavily policed, can move the ball from one side to the other quickly, and win. The have learned to attack from a defensive position. But the software too easily crashes!

This really constitutes phase two of the Deans era. He had to win over the old guard while he sorted out the new boys. I’d like to understand your comments about pushing agendas in public, Spiro……..maybe you’ll elaborate. I think Stirlo did a good job but it’s obvious his body is unreliable and that he’s NOT a cert for the WC (er World Cup)

George was hopeless as Captain. His amazing play was probably dampened, and his lack of overt fire meant he could not communicate during the game. With Rocky you’ll see some anger at pathetic performance. Sparks are needed!

George will still be there and I can’t believe you see HIM as corrosive.

None the less your point I think is that the old guard is gone, and this increases Deans’ power considerably. His mantra about ‘what’s good for the team’ will not be so diluted by the need to cosset fragile but incumbent egos

LAS’s comments on Gits are interesting and pointed. I have to say I think his ‘wonderboy’ status has not been good for the Wallabies and threatens James O’Connor with a similar fragility. If you keep looking at yourself wondering how others perceive you, notably your fans, you can’t perform to your pure best on the paddock.

Like many others I thought Deans was the Messiah. I still think he’s the right man and that the rule changes have thwarted his attempts to get fast ball, which is where his selections have started . His man management will now proceed under key players committed to him

These (he hopes) will be the Deans Wallabies! This tour is another beginning. Hopefully the fans can stay the distance !

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kingplaymaker said | October 10th 2009 @ 10:40am | Report comment

It’s perhaps a little dangerous to write off Stirling Mortlock: granted he had some bad form but that may have been a psychological result of a concussion.

He was one thing though: a rare inspiring captain. They don’t grow on trees, and if Elsom isn’t the same it could be a loss, especially if Mortlock does soldier through and play on.

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Stu Reeve said | October 10th 2009 @ 11:21am | Report comment

I reckon George Smith was relieved when he was told of this – he has always looked uncomfortable in a leadership role.

I’m pleased with the new appointments – though neither of them played perfectly in the 3N, you know that they’ll work on what went wrong – Elsom is a gutsy tough player who is committed to winning & Barnes is similar. The two of them will potentially provide our leadership with a good balance of brawn & brains.

BTW LAS
I think your 4th point is bang on correct – giteau is not a team player and as gifted as he is – he is also poisoned by his wunderkind status – i hope we don’t see o’connor go down the same path.

IMHO on giteaus performance in the 3N i really don’t think we would have done much worse if he wasn’t in the 22 – to win a RWC you need a team, not a bunch of gifted individuals – i’m not certain i see a good fit between giteau and a future great wallaby team – i agree that giteau might as spiro suggests make a better I/C or even shane williamesque winger – but i can’t see his ego accepting this.

Frankly it could be better to drop him now and let him work out where his values lie – i’d prefer to see a wallaby team made up of 15 players with the passion of Scott Stanisforth/Ben Tunes/Nathan Grey, than a team with a Matt Gteau in it.

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- Terry said | October 12th 2009 @ 7:01am | Report comment
  
  Stu – I would say Phil Waugh would equal the passion of Scott Stanisforth/Ben Tunes/Nathan Grey but cannot even get in a squad of 35!
  
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LeftArmSpinner said | October 10th 2009 @ 11:33am | Report comment

He inspired by his on field performance, those runs and tackles, brutal. But his first tour found him wanting off field and he never seemed to rally the troops, like a lynagh or NFJ, you know the “come in close” stuff…

He certainly looks fit, if not match fit. He is a classy guy and will put the team first, I think and hope.

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