By Darren Walton
October 31st 2009 @ 3:46am
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Battered Wallabies keen to bury demons
Maligned as a meaningless dead-rubber, Saturday’s Bledisloe Cup clash in Tokyo is anything but for the Wallabies as they strive desperately to stop the rot against their oldest and fiercest rugby rivals.
The Wallabies’ alarming losing streak against the All Blacks now stands at six matches, Australia’s worst run in more than a decade, and injured [...]
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andy shearer said | October 31st 2009 @ 6:48am | Report comment
does anyone know where an Aussie, living in the USA can watch this game ? Doesn’t look like setanta is going to cover it.
katzilla said | October 31st 2009 @ 11:23am | Report comment
myp2p.eu
kingplaymaker said | October 31st 2009 @ 7:15am | Report comment
Palu-Elsom-Pocock that’s where it will be won or lost.
Those three are powerful players who if they can impose themselves physically on the All Blacks will allow the team to execute its gameplan.
If they are bashed around like last time however it will be a short evening.
The signs in this area should be good. All three of those players have serious motivation to perform. Palu because his whole future may rest on this game, Elsom because it’s his first game as captain, and Pocock because he is replacing George Smith. They also have the ability to pull it off.
The most worrying element in Australia’s losses this year was the extent to which they were physically crushed: Palu, Elsom and Pocock up front, and Ioane, Cross and Ashley-Cooper behind may be able to remedy this.
Knives Out said | October 31st 2009 @ 7:18am | Report comment
You don’t think the impact of the tight five at the ruck contest is more important?
kingplaymaker said | October 31st 2009 @ 7:22am | Report comment
No, because I think the Wallabies were dominated more in the back row recently, especially physically. However, Brad Thorn did play a big part it’s true.
Knives Out said | October 31st 2009 @ 7:28am | Report comment
So.. do you or do you not think that the tight five set the tone for the ruck contest, and that the Australian back row was dominated because their tight five was constantly playing behind the gainline?
kingplaymaker said | October 31st 2009 @ 7:31am | Report comment
No, I think although the tight five contest is important, it was in the back row that the ruck contest was lost recently. Palu and Brown were unable to provide real force clearing out or running the ball, nor very potent tackling, and George Smith perhaps lacked some physical presence, which is one thing Pocock does have.
Mitch O said | October 31st 2009 @ 8:15am | Report comment
Smith is a very physical 7 and at least twice the player Pocock will ever be.
Pocock v McCaw isn’t even a contest. In addition this Wallaby loose forward trio looks very unbalanced and slow to me, against an athletic and fast AB trio.
From whichever angle I look at it it looks like a mismatch of mammoth proportions – there’s a decent whiff of dingo deans desperation in the air.
Knives Out said | October 31st 2009 @ 8:29am | Report comment
I think you miss my point, kingplaymaker. The tight five hit rucks. One unit comes before the other. You see?
OldManEmu said | October 31st 2009 @ 12:46pm | Report comment
Sorry KingPM – I think KO is on the money here.
Chisholm and Whorewell (geez I make myself laugh) went badly missing last time – the impact of the backrow at the breakdown over 80 minutes is neither here nor there when compared to what can be achieved with your big locks and front three smashing in at the contest for possession.
Sam Taulelei said | October 31st 2009 @ 8:22am | Report comment
Knives, I agree with you while the Wallabies were dominated at the breakdown in Wellington it wasn’t solely by the play of the All Black loose forwards. Collectively the forward pack were more aggressive, accurate and consistent than their Wallaby counterparts. The All Black loosies were only able to shine because they weren’t tied up in the tight exchanges unlike the Wallaby loosies.
Knives Out said | October 31st 2009 @ 11:47am | Report comment
Tom Donnelly. Big, solid and uncompromising. He made a difference.
stuff happens said | October 31st 2009 @ 12:10pm | Report comment
Agreed and the other guy who has been an underrated asset for the AB’s at the b’down is Andrew Hore.He’s had a great season.
Knives Out said | November 1st 2009 @ 9:55pm | Report comment
Yeah, Hore and Du Plessis are excellent at the breakdown.
MM Fike said | October 31st 2009 @ 11:25am | Report comment
I think the All Blacks will win in a canter. I wished it were otherwise and I’ll be doing handstands if the Wallabies cause a boilover.
If I was Deans I’d be very desperate. The locks and No. 8 are a huge weakness and the stocks are incredibly thin.
I hope the opposition pack is off their game.
OldManEmu said | October 31st 2009 @ 12:41pm | Report comment
I see legendary Horse rainer Bart Cummings was riddled by some hack as to the secret of his success having just trained his fourth Cox Plate winner. To overseas and non horse racing Roarers, the Cox Plate is regarded by those in the know as THE race the trainers and jockeys want to win – a weight for age race over 2040 metres run on a unique track that attracts the best horses in Australasia.
Anyway in true Bart Cummings style he answered “Good Horses.”
Hmmmmn. If Deans was capable of such plain speaking I think he would say the same sort of thing if asked, “Robbie, what do the Wallabies need to improve?”
Bruiser said | October 31st 2009 @ 1:02pm | Report comment
I was considering the Team of the Century captained by Eels yesterday along with a few mates, trying to work out of the current crop who’d get a game. It struck me that when you look at the Team each was pretty much a specialist in their position. With the current team you’ve got players almost playing a different position each game and those that are considered a Flanker/2nd Rower or in Giteus case perhaps a good Half or even winger. A good case in point – AAC. How can we expect these guys to play at their best in a very unforgiving environment when this happens. AAC & Cross were terrible playing together last time, so how can they step up tonight and make it alright? I for one hope they can but i worry. I also hope that the 2nd Rowers don’t go missing adn provide some mongrel & go forward. I won’t hold my breath with Chisholm that’s for sure who simply shouldn’t be there. Finally i think that the loss of Barnes is Huge given it would have been his 1st game VC and again its now all up to Giteau. Fingers crossed by given i am one of the many battered supporters that have always gone into recent tests excited and confident, i am simply hoping they can punch above their weight and get some fruitful combinations going.
OldManEmu said | October 31st 2009 @ 1:20pm | Report comment
Gosh that is good insight Bruiser.
John Connolly started this folly that the props needed to be able to play both sides of the scrum – what poppycock. Loosehead is that different to Tighthead as to be unrecognisable. Same with Inside Centre to Outside Centre, certainly in defense.
We have Smith playing Number 8, Chisholm playing Second row when he is as plain as day a number 6, Brown playing 6 when he is number 8, Mumm playing Second Row when he is a number 6, Alexander playing Tighthead when he is a Loosehead, AAC playing – what is the poor bastard playing this week? -, Cross playing a test match in the most difficult defensive position on the field when he does not even know the game – faaaarck me, is it any wonder these wretched buggers cant compete.
I say again, in different terms, we just dont have the cattle!!
Bruiser said | October 31st 2009 @ 1:25pm | Report comment
OEM, i was just about to reply your post and say too right! You don’t get a steeple chaser to switch to harness racing and back again…followed by running in the Melbourne Cup.
adam said | October 31st 2009 @ 1:25pm | Report comment
“(In Wellington), we didn’t help ourselves going across field in the backs and we got hurt at scrum time so we never got the ball other than at tap-off against them.
thats all matt giteau does anyway drop him for someone who goes forward not sideways the try line is straight ahead
Bruiser said | October 31st 2009 @ 1:31pm | Report comment
That’s why Barnes should by No. 10 and why his injury will really bite us i think. I definitely agree with the running across field but also thought they were way too deep. My 3 year old son could 1. see the move coming as they were so far behind the advantage line and 2. tackle the ball carrier as it was all telegraphed. It was only very late in the game when Gits attacked the line straight and hard that you could see the defense wondering what was going on…i think then we coughed the ball up from memory!
Bruiser said | October 31st 2009 @ 1:42pm | Report comment
Its interesting to see the Giteau is now VC! Does anyone think he might stop feeling sorry for himself, play some good rugby and lead the team well? Its almost laughable given all the commentary leading up to the Game … and then suddenly he’s gone from a leadership position to VC. I hope he steps up.
Jack Petro said | October 31st 2009 @ 3:10pm | Report comment
Give Matt Hodgson a jersey!!!!
Knives Out said | October 31st 2009 @ 6:42pm | Report comment
Great Aussie scrum – 7th minute.
Knives Out said | October 31st 2009 @ 6:55pm | Report comment
Amazing NZ try.
Colin N said | October 31st 2009 @ 7:30pm | Report comment
16-13 at h/t. Sheer stupidity from Sivivatu. Charlie Sharples of Gloucester was sent off for something similar last night (UK time). I think the only thing that stopped Sivivatu getting a worser punishment was he halted his momentum when he took the player, whereas Sharples went straight through his opponent.
Anyway, it’s been quite a good game, controversial Australian try though.
Knives Out said | October 31st 2009 @ 8:17pm | Report comment
Some excellent NZ back play.
Did you go to the game last night, Colin?
Colin N said | October 31st 2009 @ 8:40pm | Report comment
“Did you go to the game last night, Colin?”
Yes, it was an absolute shambles against 14 men. It was the fault of both the coaches and the players. KJ picked a big mobile pack that should have been able to generate quick ball. However, there was a complete lack of intensity. Plus the chase from the high balls was terrible. So that’s the fault of the players.
Onto the tactics, terrible. We just kicked the ball away.
I remember one time in the first-half we made about ten metres from a drive, Sale forwards had quickly got to the breakdown and the ball was placed quickly, Peel then waited four a few seconds and the momentum was last. I’m not sure whether that’s a fault of the players or coaches, as Peel is a scrum-half that likes to play with pace.
Knives Out said | October 31st 2009 @ 8:42pm | Report comment
Mmmm… bad times at Sale and Gloucester. I’m yet to be impressed by KJ. Or Redpath for that matter.
Colin N said | October 31st 2009 @ 11:22pm | Report comment
As a Sale fan, I say Gloucester deserved to win, at least there was a bit of structure about their game. Missed kicks and silly mistakes in good positions cost them.
They bascially dominated us for for the whole of the second-half with 14 men.
I must add, Vainikolo (I believe) butchered a certain try, it was hilarious.
Knives Out said | November 1st 2009 @ 3:24am | Report comment
I’ve been watching the Volcano closely this season. He is a horrific union player.
mcxd said | October 31st 2009 @ 7:38pm | Report comment
is oconnor playing for the all blacks or the wallabies ? Please take him off !!! woefull missed tackle for smiths try.
Knives Out said | October 31st 2009 @ 8:19pm | Report comment
Wahey! Fight! Fight! Fight! Let’s get some bans in before the European tour, lads.
Lee said | October 31st 2009 @ 8:27pm | Report comment
Why is Union losing popularity in Australia? Watch that game again.
Pure rubbish – if the players are knocking on the ball so much it is hardly anyone elses fault, just pure rubbish. The grand slam is a dream that will not happen this year if they play like that.
They will lose to Wales and Ireland. Beat Scotland and its 50/50 against England!
Dean Pantio said | October 31st 2009 @ 8:31pm | Report comment
Déjà vu. Wallabies start with a roar and fade towards the end of the match.
hammer said | October 31st 2009 @ 8:35pm | Report comment
A poor side poorly coached and that with a gift try that wasn’t
The wallabies won’t win half their games in Europe and deans may be gone by the end of 2010
Frank O'Keeffe said | October 31st 2009 @ 8:53pm | Report comment
And the first half looked so good. At halftime I was thinking Giteau (a bloke I’ve criticised a lot) wasn’t playing too bad, O’Connor was playing well, and Genia was fantastic. Come the second half Giteau kicked the ball straight down the middle of the field, the All Blacks counter-attacked, and O’Connor missed that tackle of Conrad Smith.
A few thoughts…
* That first All Blacks try was beautiful. Tremendous interplay.
* I thought Genia was terrific.
* Really needed to score before halftime. The Wallabies were playing well, but I just got the sense the Wallabies needed to score.
* I thought it was clear Hynes scored a try. They got it right the second time when they denied Palu a try.
* Mark Lawrence was 100% right for penalising Benn Robinson for touching the ground after engagment. What irked me is Tony Woodcock was allowed to do that 5-6 times in Wellington. It’s the reason I selected Benn Robinson in my tri-nations side for 2009.
* I felt bad for Pocock getting penalised. He did nothing wrong. In fact New Zealand should have been penalised for holding on. Pocock did not enter through the side, that was obvious. It’s a shame because that was the moment the game was well and truly lost. Of course New Zealand were definitely, without question, the better side.
* Nice to see Digby stand up Corey Jane and run around him first up. It’s a shame he didn’t have more opportunity in this game.
* If I had to sum up the biggest Wallaby problem from the last two seasons, it’s unquestionably the kicking. Elsom was 100% correct to say the kicking didn’t relieve any pressure. Ashley-Cooper tried an up and under (it was terrible) and the Wallabies gave away a penalty. Giteau didn’t find touch and the All Blacks counter-attacked. Whether it’s the kicks or the chase, it’s just something the Wallabies have been terrible at.
* Later on Giteau was also having a go too much himself for my tastes. It was nice to see him attack the line, but I disagree with Rod Kafer that it worked well. New Zealand weren’t buying anything he was trying to sell. I’d prefer it if he tried to provide more opportunities to his outside backs.
* Let’s go easy on Palu. There were a few handling errors, and they were costly, but he gave the Wallabies some go forward. Australia doesn’t have a great player at no 8. But instead of experimenting with other players, you just have to accept that Palu’s the best player for the position. Part of the reason the Wallabies had more possession in that first half was because they had a bigger backrow this time.
* Ashley Cooper and Genia played really well. Carter was MOTM.
* Deans really needs to ask why the Wallabies, who had as much possession as territory, weren’t in control of the game. Seriously, no coach in the world would have the guts to do this, but I’d play Quade Cooper at 10 on this tour. Giteau’s just kills me. The fact he won the John Eales medal worries me. Do the Wallabies know how to win games? Do they think what he’s doing is actually constructive?
Knives Out said | October 31st 2009 @ 9:09pm | Report comment
I was taken aback by Australia’s early ferocity, and perhaps NZ was too. However, the status quo kicked in and NZ dealt with Australia. I get the impression with NZ v Australia that no matter what Australia throws at them NZ will always find another gear. Todays points difference doesn’t reflect the huge skills chasm between the two sides. Some of the NZ back play was excellent: soft hands, good angles, good timing and good accuracy. Australia, on the other hand, relied on powerful bursts from individuals like AAC and briefly Ioane.
I thought that Palu and AAC were powerful, that Hore and Thomson were busy, that Jane and Muliaina looked inventive and dynamic and that McCaw played well as a leader. Some of what Carter did was astonishing. Giteau is occasionally very incisive and penetrative. Morne Steyn kicks excellently. Carter does everything. He has speed, tactical appreciation, awareness, time on the ball. He is a joy to watch. Conversely, Rodney So’oialo is not a joy to watch. He is a liability, as was Sivivatu today. He can’t kick, struggles to pass and lacks concentration. What is happening with the NZ coaching?
I felt the refereeing was very unimpressive with some very arbitrary scrum calls and seemingly missing various off sides. The ‘try’ was never a try and I can’t believe that Lawrence gave it without proper correspondence with the video ref.
Go_the_Wannabe's said | October 31st 2009 @ 9:19pm | Report comment
It was character building times for the Wannabe’s back early in the TN this year…….not sure what to call it now. The Great Rout? The Great Debacle (that will be the GS tour)? I really don’t see Dingo turning this around by RWC 2011. It’s our turn at the bottom of the pile in TN so all we can do is suck it up for now.
So where did we go wrong yet again? Here’s a headline………you can’t drop the ball as many times as the Wannabe’s did near the try line and expect to win the game. I don’t care about missed tackles, line breaks, time in possession etc etc………you’re never going to beat the all blacks if you drop the ball that many times attacking the EnZedders line. End of story.
The EZ’s are so clinical in their approach that they know all they have to do is make 5 or 6 tackles and the Wannabe’s will cough up the pill. Elsom set the tone for the whole match and did little else really. Where were his great bullocking runs? Even Palu made some….
The EZ’s with Carter and McCaw on board are a fairly useful outfit. The team knows they will have huge games against the Wannabe’s….so all they really need is for a couple of others to put in a cameo or two and they’re home and hosed…..simple as that. The Wannabe’s can only hope the EZ’s have a rough day at the office and then hope they have a blinder themselves. But everyone knows……hope is not a plan!
Why does it always seem we’re saying “so where to from here?” after every game recently? OK lets have yet another crack at this perplexing question. I can’t stand it when people say that we don’t have the cattle right now. That’s cr*p. We have the cattle……they just need to be herded in the right direction. This is what you have a coach for. The coach’s accept all the accolades when they win (note Henry’s big sh*t eating grin at the end of the match) so they must take the responsibility when they lose. Dingo must find a way or get off the pot.
Hermin said | October 31st 2009 @ 11:55pm | Report comment
EZ’s are you for real?
Go_the_Wannabe's said | November 2nd 2009 @ 2:56pm | Report comment
I thought the EZ’s had a nice ring to it……oh well, can’t pls everyone all the time I guess.
Harry said | October 31st 2009 @ 9:31pm | Report comment
That ended pretty much as I expected, I honestly cannot remember going into a Bledisloe being more certain we were about to lose … maybe Dunedin in 97.
OK I’ll try and be positive:
1) Didn’t seem to be any serious injuries.
2) Digby went allright after his long layoff and will be better for that run.
3) Two of the rookies, Genia and Alexander, went OK and will be better for the experience.
4) We weren’t absolutely humiliated like Wellington.
Thats it. Anything else like the crap sprouted by the apologists on Fox – particularly Kafer, is just fluff.
sportym said | November 1st 2009 @ 1:22am | Report comment
I’d argue we lost 32-12, that was no try, the ref got fed up with the TMO and it was just turning into a embarrasing situation of lost in translation so just got some balls and called a try.
Armchair-critic said | October 31st 2009 @ 9:35pm | Report comment
That is the 5th time out of the 6 tests since Auckland last year that the Wallabies have had a half time lead against the ABs and lost the match.
How can this keep happening?
However i thought it was a much better showing tonight. particularly given the injury setbacks.
Atleast there seemed to be a bit more determination around the breakdowns and running the ball.
Losing Barnes is going to be a massive blow as AAC desperately needs to replace Cross at 13 until Mortlock arrives. Cross just doesnt know what to do on defence (as witnessed through Smith’s try) and is ineffective at this level with ball in hand.
Was an improved performance from Giteau in the absence of Barnes and will need to continue to improve.
Lineouts and handling errors will need to be fixed before England
Harry said | October 31st 2009 @ 9:39pm | Report comment
Greg Martin in a rare moment of truth, said in the after match jibbering that he thought 4 or 5 players weren’t up to test standard… my list of Wallabies currently not up to it:
Alexander (promising but you can’t become a test tightehad in 3 months and 3 games)
Pocock (Jeez he gives away a lot of dumb penalties and he lacks the all round awareness of McCaw and Smith, still a work in progress and should be playing in the midweek matches)
Chisolm (there can no longer be any doubt, he has had enough chances …not hard enough or reliable enough for test second-rower)
Horwill (lost all the drive of 08, a real shame)
JOC (Deans is buggering up this special talent by playing him at 15)
Cross (repeatedly shown up in defence, and poor in attack)
Armchair-critic said | October 31st 2009 @ 9:48pm | Report comment
Agree with you on Cross and also that JOC is not a 15
Also think Chisholm needs some bench time and someone else given a crack but Horwill is the only genuine lineout option in the entire squad due to injury. He simply has to play or our lineout will be even worse than tonight.
Similarly with Alexander – no one else really stands out as demanding selection – he is improving with every game and i think has done enough to warrant his place. he isn’t world class by any means but he is the best option we have at the moment.
I thought Pocock actually had a good game – made an amazing trysaver on Sivivatu in cover defence – covered a lot of ground. And i think the penalty at the end was a little harsh. Smith looked better off the bench than he has all tri nations so maybe this has rekindled his desire and he will return to the starting XV in better shape
wannabprop said | October 31st 2009 @ 9:39pm | Report comment
Only saw the second half (painful). Agree with all the previous comments. What strikes me at the mo, is that after following the Wallabies from the late 70s, and even tho they’ve often struggled to achieve parity in the scrums (and at times the lineout), you could pretty much always count on a slick backline. Now we see Giteau crabbing sideways (until late in the game when he suddenly decided to do a Mortlock impersonation), and an alignment that is far too deep. What’s going on? I concede this is not the best Wallaby backline, but they look completely clueless right now. It’s clearly not a happy camp (regardless of win or loss). The coaching has to come under serious scrutiny – I doubt they’ll sack Deans before the WC (unless they lose every game on tour, which is possible), but the the broom should go through the rest – perhaps some ‘competitive tension’ in the coaching ranks Robbie?
westy said | October 31st 2009 @ 9:43pm | Report comment
The wallabies tried hard. Even showed some emotion.Handling was terrible and sometimes the result of great defence. Genia Digby ACC Palu Pocock showed either potential or some real quality I will not be any more judgemental than to say that Deans win record 54% is now below Eddie jones at 57%. I think Deans is a good coach but I am uncomfortable that the ARU never allowed Jones and more especially Connolly the luxury of the notion they did not have a very good squad.
Three things. I watched Mumm. I am concerned of bias on my part. I watch Mumm he is thereabouts but never decisive or dynamic or punishing. I am sorry but how well connected is he? he just has not quite got it at test level.
Secondly i thought the All blacks were always in control. this does not mean it was not hard just that i think they had us defensively . loved the lines their backs ran Quality.
Thirdly and a mere technical matter. When is a referee going to penalise a team for running well in front of the kickoff or a scoring restart. it is increasing. Once or twice is forgiveable but 1 to 3 metre head starts is putting to much pressure on the receiver.
Well done to the All blacks
Knives Out said | October 31st 2009 @ 9:51pm | Report comment
‘Thirdly and a mere technical matter. When is a referee going to penalise a team for running well in front of the kickoff or a scoring restart. it is increasing. Once or twice is forgiveable but 1 to 3 metre head starts is putting to much pressure on the receiver.’
I noticed that too.
Even looser said | October 31st 2009 @ 11:30pm | Report comment
‘Thirdly and a mere technical matter.’ Have to agree with this observation. But not too sure it’s merely technical. Way too often the pill is being received just as that off side player is arriving. Surely it’s an easy one for refs & assistants to police and would improve the contest immediately.
Blinky Bill from Bellingen said | October 31st 2009 @ 9:49pm | Report comment
There will no doubt be heaps of focus on where the Wallabies went wrong and quite right too. I’ll leave that for others.
Instead I’d like to try and remain positive, somewhat. Got to say that I was much happier with their efforts at the breakdown. It’s not great but it’s much better. Far more aggressive BUT still very, very slow ball compared to what the AB’s were receiving. The AB’s seem masters at slowing down opposition ball. If the ref isn’t pinging them then why aren’t our blokes reciprocating?
Must agree with Frank O’Keeffe – If ever there was a moment that changed the game it was Pocock getting pinged for not entering through the gate. The replay not only showed that he was fine (and that the AB was holding on) but also showed that Lawrence was Johnny on the spot. It was right under his nose.
Still trying to remain positive here, considering our blokes had no comp below S14 to help get themselves ready, the boys didn’t do all that bad. It may well be that they start to build from here, go to Europe and actually put in some pretty good performances.
wannabprop said | October 31st 2009 @ 10:02pm | Report comment
I like the positivity Blinky. And in my state of despair, I forgot to congratulate the ABs – too good…
MM Fike said | October 31st 2009 @ 9:57pm | Report comment
The lack of basic skills in the Wallabies beggars belief.
The dumb kicking defies logic.
.The forwards are just not good enough. Well some of them are but it’s akin to a V8 running on four cylinders.
This won’t be the last loss on this tour.
Even looser said | October 31st 2009 @ 11:40pm | Report comment
Yep the basic skills were poor alright. But so too were the options. Just dumb passes when the opposition traffic was heavy and losing the ball time and time again in contact that hurt us. A lot.
The crazy kamikaze idea of one off running flat out into a wall of Men in Black may have been gutsy but it was just plain dumb IMHO, especially as it didn’t appear to have a snow ball’s chance in hell. Yet we just kept on doing. As if….
When we actually hung onto the ball we appeared to find gaps……….or maybe the All Blacks had shut up shop by then, it’s hard to tell.
Tell you what though, I’d like to start a petition for box kick to be banned by our blokes. I’ve yet to actually see the point to them. I mean we already had possession, so our box kick anyways, just either hands it back or else gives us a slight chance of regaining possession. Surely there’s better ways of using the pill?
MM Fike said | October 31st 2009 @ 10:54pm | Report comment
Yeah I forgot to acknowledge the AB’s were too good also.
Some think it’s an average AB side but they look pretty good to me. And they are only going to get better.
They’ll win the next World Cup under ‘a tight hold’ in racing parlance.
ohtani's jacket said | November 1st 2009 @ 12:52am | Report comment
Well, I enjoyed it. I have no idea whether the All Blacks played well. Australia appeared to enjoy a fair amount of territory and possession. From my vantage point, the All Black backline formations were better than the Aussies and whoever was kicking in the second half (Giteau?) was the main reason Australia lost.
Frank O'Keeffe said | November 1st 2009 @ 1:06am | Report comment
I’ll say it.
I think the Wallabies ought to drop Giteau. Deans needs to ask himself why, in a game where Australia got equal possession and territory (notably Australia’s possession wasn’t always the cleanest), Australia didn’t command any instances in the second half. It says something about how their primary playmaker is controlling the game.
It’ll never happen because:
* Giteau is obviously very talented.
* He’s an experienced player in a side that lacks experience.
* The players seem to rate him.
He’s such a talented player that it seems a waste to drop him. Spiro Zavos has suggested he play on the wing, and it’s not surprising such a suggestion would be made, because Giteau is so talented it seems a waste to drop him.
But he’s not a five eighth. His kicking from hand is horrendous. I wouldn’t go so far to say his kicking is the reason the Wallabies lost this last game. But I think but for Giteau’s kicking, Australia could have won in Auckland this year and in Sydney. Australia should have won in Brisbane last year, when the Aussie forwards played awesome, but Giteau’s kicking let them down again.
I used to love Giteau when he played at 12, but as a friend once said to me, “He’s the kind of player you don’t notice at 12, but then he has little moments that break the game open.” In other words, Giteau doesn’t command the inside centre position, but he can still be a gamebreaker if only for a few moments in the match. I don’t think Giteau should be inside centre.
He’s just a tremendously talented player that doesn’t seem to fit anywhere in a backline. Too much of an individualist in my opinion. He’s not really a constructive-type player. It was nice seeing him attack the line in this last game, but he went for glory too often and the All Black defence was up to it.
sportym said | November 1st 2009 @ 1:16am | Report comment
Well done ABs, to me they seemed to cruise through that game.
JOC is not fullback, smith showed him up nicely. We need a real solid defender, JOC should play 12, he is being wasted and shown up at 15. AAC, that guy gives everthing and has no fear, put him at 15 for the grandslam.
If deans is such a good coach why are most of the wallaby players not playing in their natural postions? AAC at 12 is seriously a joke, we have 3 S14 teams, and not a single 12 of these teams could slot in???. For me the biggest issues was cross at 13 and Joc at 15, Conrad Smith carved them up nicely, if you are going ot have a suspicous 13 in defence you cannot have JOC at 15, you need someone like AAC who will make the Tackle.
If Deans persists with AAC at 12 and JOC at 15 the grandslam it will be over at twickers next weekend, and we better start looking for a new coach. This current wallabies record is a joke.
sportym said | November 1st 2009 @ 1:25am | Report comment
Also forgot to mention the ground, that was really pissweak, 1/2 of the inzone was astroturf, a disgrace by the hosts given how much notice they had. Kinda dispointed that the ARU backed the Japanese bid when they cannot even prepare a simple ground and the TMO incident was becoming really embarrasing.
ohtani's jacket said | November 1st 2009 @ 10:23am | Report comment
I was surprised by the in goal area. I thought the IRB had regulations about that sort of thing. The stadium was great, though. Easy to get in and out of and a short train ride. Had no idea what was going on with the ref and the TMO. All I know is that Hynes never scored that try.
Frank O'Keeffe said | November 1st 2009 @ 4:45am | Report comment
Can I also just say I didn’t think O’Connor was too bad in that first half. He wasn’t tested much with the high ball as the commentary constantly alluded to, but he did bring Corey Jane down after he’d beaten three or four players. I hate all this backlash towards O’Connor. He’s tremendously talented and I think he’ll turn into a great player over the years. But he’s been thrown to the wolves by Deans, placing him in a position I don’t think he’s played before he reached Test level. He’s been found out here and there, but too much is expected of him.
When someone asked David Campese what he thought of O’Connor he warned everybody, “Just let the kid play some rugby, don’t put high hopes on him.” Well people have expected so much from him because he’s talented, and he’s been found out a few times after being thrown into the deep end. Deans has essentially said to him ,”Learn how to swim.” That’s not the right way to nurture such a great talent.
mcxd said | November 1st 2009 @ 6:34am | Report comment
Frank, I understand your point and agree that he may be quite talented but just to clarify, do you really think O’Connor should be in the Wallabies side at the moment (especially against the ABs) ?
Frank O'Keeffe said | November 1st 2009 @ 8:14pm | Report comment
Hmm, probably not. If you had to play him somewhere it might as well be his favourite position at 12. But his lack of size is always going to be a problem.
Yeah he shouldn’t be in the Wallaby side. But I have to admit I have no idea what backline Australia should have. So many unfixable problems for Deans.
stuff happens said | November 1st 2009 @ 11:53am | Report comment
Well done ABs a far better side. As many have pointed out Wallabies played well enough in first half but lost the 2nd 3-19 which is dreadful.
By the way excellent Currie Cup final between Bulls & Cheetahs: 36-24. Watch it if you can – very exciting and fierce.