Wallabies not backing themselves as All Blacks show faith

 
Alan Nicolea Roar Guru

By Alan Nicolea, 1 Nov 2009 Alan Nicolea is a Roar Guru

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The sweeping backline play the All Blacks produced nearly twenty minutes into the second half was the sole indicator of how dominant New Zealand have been over the Wallabies in this season’s Test matches.

Whilst a brilliant David Pocock cover tackle denied Graham Henry’s men their third try of the night, the way New Zealand spread the ball during that particular play showcased a team willing to back its skill and flair when the opportunity presented itself.

This aspect of the All Blacks game proved to be the difference in allowing New Zealand to secure their fourth consecutive victory against the Wallabies in Tokyo -something the Kiwis have not accomplished since 1962.

All Blacks no.15, Mils Muliaina, was a standout in a New Zealand backline that showcased far more willingness to spread the ball from their own half of the field and counter attack than their conservative opponents.

Indeed, the Wallabies were hesitant from start to finish and were never able to play at a consistent rhythm that would trouble the All Blacks.

Despite the great effort from forwards Wycliff Palu and Ben Robinson, the platform they laid upfront was, unfortunately, not taken advantage of by the Australian backs.

Wallaby centre Adam Ashley Cooper and fullback James O’Conner often kicked possession away when there was opportunities available to spread the ball, albeit in their own half of the field.

Players of their instinctive talents should welcome the chance to open up the field and create a try scoring raid, rather than go for the most obvious option which is to kick and hope one has made enough territory for the forwards to regroup.

Whilst the element of error is high when trying such plays, the lack of risk taking opportunities the Wallabies are producing is plaguing the side’s ability to score tries, let alone win Test matches.

Every time Robbie Dean’s men were presented with a try scoring chance close to the All Blacks line, the Wallabies either produced one offload too many, or simply ran out of room on the fringes against a New Zealand unit that constantly slid well in defence.

Matt Giteau’s constant decision to go for goal, even with the side trailing by ten points at one stage, just emphasised the lack of faith the Wallabies have in their ability to run the ball in enemy territory.

Henry’s men, however, always seemed to get in behind of the Wallabies defence, thanks to some clinical interchange of passing from key players Dan Carter, Mils Muliaina and captain Richie McCaw.

Conrad Smith’s try for New Zealand early in the second half was another demonstration of how much confidence New Zealand have in their ability to let the ball do the talking in a situation where the game is very much in the balance.

Despite a lackluster first half which saw the Kiwis trailing 16-13, the All Blacks knew the only way to reverse the trend was to play the free flowing Rugby they are renowned for.

The Wallabies themselves should have had more reason to play up tempo Rugby, considering another try would have put them in a prime position to achieve a maiden win against their Trans-Tasman rivals in 2009.

But, like the majority of the seven Tests they have led at half-time this year, Dean’s men simply went into their shell in the second half, and and once again found themselves out enthused and outplayed by an opponent that simply wanted the result more than they did.

One can tell the Wallaby camp is in a crisis as soon as the players start performing at their best when defeat is a formality.

It took the Wallabies 78 minutes to realise the positive effects when it comes to running a football from your own end of the field.

With the match over as a contest, Australia centre Ashley Cooper decided to take on the All Blacks defence, breaking the line in the process.

The final result saw Cooper go on a mesmerising run down field, which almost resulted in the Wallabies back scoring a remarkable try.

Unfortunately, Cooper’s effort meant little as the All Blacks had already managed to sow up victory long before Australia decided to play running Rugby.

Whilst the Spring tour has gotten off to the worst possible start for Dean’s men, he can rest in the knowledge that, for a second in Tokyo, the Wallabies actually had it within them to play the necessary Rugby that will hopefully reveal itself on a regular basis.

It will certainly need to if Australia hopes to attain success in the European Grand Slam, starting against England next week.

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