Bad Grand Slam tour? You have to be kidding
Roar Pro
By rugby fanatic, 2 Dec 2009 The Crowd is a Roar Pro
- Tagged:
- Matt Giteau, robbie deans, Rugby Union, wallabies
118 Have your say
Australian Adam Ashleigh Cooper (centre) is tackled by New Zealand's Jimmy Cowan (right) and Ali Williams (left) during the Tri Nations final between the Australian Wallabies and New Zealand All Blacks at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, Saturday, Sept. 13, 2008. The All Blacks beat the Wallabies 28-24. AAP Image/Dave Hunt
Robbie Deans, you are a genius. I find it quite amazing how negative the Australian media can be when it wants to. To even suggest that Robbie Deans’ job was ever on the line after the grand slam tour was bad journalism.
To even suggest that the grand slam tour was a failure in any way is just plain, poor misguided journalism.
Please let’s not forget.
We just missed out on an historic grand slam BY 3 POINTS! (don’t worry Matt, not your fault, it was the media again!).
As I predicted before the Irish game on David Pocock’s column on the Roar website, he is no doubt in my opinion, the future Wallaby captain, assuming he will continue to be a great role model both on and off the field.
The media is so incredibly negative.
They were questioning Robbie Deans’ appointment as coach and all this rubbish about how disappointing we were on tour and through the Tri-Nations … I can’t read it anymore.
May I mention just 3 great highlights of this so-called failure of a tour:
1. Giteau and Cooper combination
It could even work the other way around. Let’s not forget Gits was the no.1 no.12 in the world for 3 years and Quade off both feet is lightening.
Let’s hope the selectors listen to Robbie and have the right players playing in their Wallaby positions for the Super 14 next year. The four states need to work together next year for the Wallabies’ sake and cause. After all, isn’t that why we support rugby at all levels through thick and thin – for the Wallabies?
2. The scrum.
Never been better in 10 years.
3. David Pocock.
The little nugget of gold. It’s been suggested that Pocock and Smith play a half each because it worked so well against Wales. Ridiculous. You don’t have 2 V8’s on the bench for a total of 80 minutes. You use them.
It would be a complete waste of horsepower.
Besides, Pocock needs to get a lot more experience before 2011. Mind you, it wouldn’t be a bad bragging right and psychological ploy having George Smith sitting on your bench.
So there are just 3 highlights from the tour, not to mention Ashley-Coopers’ brilliant form, the long awaited Wallaby test debut by Kurtley Beale, the priceless experience the young blokes like James O’Connor got by touring with their idols and getting valuable test match minutes playing next to them.
“It’s only a game”, we always hear. We all scoff as we know it’s not just a game – it’s the only game – the game they play in heaven for God’s sake.
Don’t read the newspapers or articles about the so-called terrible tour. The newspapers are all show bags.
Robbie Deans is a genius. He has the team just where he wants them.
Enjoy sports? Enjoy a bargain? All Sports Online has your favourite sporting brands at up to 70% off. Online only, premium quality sporting goods and merchandise at discounted prices. Get a deal now.
Do you have what it takes to become a sports writer? Write for the roar
Rugby Union articles
- Will Super Rugby crowds continue their slide? (198)
- Will South African rugby force a Super 21 by 2018? (172)
- Brumbies 2012: New coach, new players, new attitude (128)
- Dan Parks and the unsolved questions of expat rugby (61)
- Pocock set to be named new Force skipper (56)
- Can the ‘Tahs win the battle after losing the Waugh? (51)
- What does the future hold for the Six Nations (50)
- Chiefs continue to wait for SBW
- Nathan Sharpe to retire at end of 2012
- Queensland ready for Super challenge (2)
- Australian teams at Super disadvantage (25)
- Foley excited about Samoan rugby challenge
- Force rugby coach praises his pack
- The real story of how John O’Neill turned Manchester City down (42)
- Wales show Southern Hemisphere how to play running rugby (25)
- What opening matches of Six Nations taught us (16)
- Will Super Rugby crowds continue their slide? (198)
- Clinical Chiefs cost rusty Rebels in Corio (9)
- Six Nations shows rugby is a parochial game at heart (5)
- Goose’s Super Rugby up-and-comer XV for 2012 (29)
- What does the future hold for the Six Nations (50)
- Explore:
- Matt Giteau, robbie deans, Rugby Union, wallabies
Rockin Rod said | December 2nd 2009 @ 6:45am | Report comment
so many positives to take out of this tour.
I think the find of the tour was Quade Cooper, playing out of position and developing a fantastic combination with Gits.
Followed closely behind by Pocock,Genia and Alexander.
Have to run but i will write more when i get to work.
Good article Rugby fanatic
Go the wallabies
fred said | December 2nd 2009 @ 7:33am | Report comment
WE HAVE GOT NO CATTLE;DEANS IS GREAT;WALLIES FOR RWC2011.GO
rugbyfanatic said | December 2nd 2009 @ 9:10am | Report comment
The Roar,
Please will you correct the typo in the headline. The word is ‘kidding.’ It looks bad on the author, myself, and I can’t stand spelling errors. Pet hate. Secondly, why have you changed my original headline? It was far better than its replacement in my view but maybe I’m biased.That was the first article I have ever written when I couldn’t sleep last night. Thanking you in advance.
Rockin Rod said | December 2nd 2009 @ 11:34am | Report comment
Rugbyfanatic, wow was that really your first column???
You have created alot of interest moving forward. How could we get all these young guns playing together at Super 14 level, how good would that be to watch in 2011. Melbourne maybe??? Who is off contract???
Roy Kneebone said | December 2nd 2009 @ 4:46pm | Report comment
Pocock,Cooper,Adam Ashley Cooper,Barnes,Palu,Moore,Mortlock,and Gerrardo, theres a great mix of youth and experience
Working Class Rugger said | December 2nd 2009 @ 11:52am | Report comment
They edit the headlines all the time. Don’t get to fussed over it.
pothale said | December 2nd 2009 @ 6:47am | Report comment
Missed out on a Grand Slam by 3 points? Talking about looking at the glass half-full. Impressive. Must use that one for Ireland from now on.
Barking Glider said | December 2nd 2009 @ 7:08am | Report comment
I’m sorry, but we should have flogged Scotland by 20 points to be taken seriously. On this occassion the media’s assessment is on the money.
Roy Kneebone said | December 2nd 2009 @ 4:34pm | Report comment
A good team is measured how you bounce back after a shock loss. Just like when we lost a one dayer to Kenya, the wallabies were great against Wales, just wish we didnt have to wait 6 months to the next test
Brett McKay said | December 2nd 2009 @ 7:25am | Report comment
Rugbyfan, I take your points, I really do, and I’ve almost always tried to look to the postive where ever possible. However, even I haven’t gone as far as you have here today. Yes, the tour ended on a fantastic high, and full credit to the team and Deans for turning things around so spectacularly.
But we can’t just paper over the cracks either. The Wallabies really should look to take more out of the losses than they do from the wins, because that’s where the lessons are. The London and Cardiff wins were everything we knew they could be, but Edinburgh and even Dublin were everything we hoped they wouldn’t be. Tokyo can’t be forgotten either.
Someone likened the Wallabies to France the other day, for we are nothing if not consistently inconsistent. The Wallabies are only as good as their NEXT game..
Rockin Rod said | December 2nd 2009 @ 8:24am | Report comment
Brett
You sound like a positive person.
1. Deans is the man for the job, agree???
He could have taken less risks with selection and picked more experience guys and he may well have a better coaching record.He has sacrificed this for the major prize and what he is building towards the RWC.
Imagine the likes of Pocock, Genia, Cooper and Oconnor with another 2 years super 14 and tests behind them. They will be fantastic players with experience which is so vital to win a RWC.
I am not saying we will win it but if we dont have NZ on our side of the draw we will be in the final and on the day its anyones, the kiwis may even crumble like they always do at World Cups.
rugbyfanatic said | December 2nd 2009 @ 8:42am | Report comment
Rodney, bang on with the RWC. Robbie will get us to the RWC final but that’s all you can do as a coach. Whoever wants it more on the day will win. As you said, any team can win on the day in a final, even Scotland as we’ve much too recently seen but you have to win 6 games to get there.
The All Blacks will be huge favourites on home soil and rightly so. I hope they keep up the negative press on the Wallabies because the odds will be too irresistable even for a Tibetan monk in India who’s taken the vow of silence, no alcohol and no gambling.
Roy Kneebone said | December 2nd 2009 @ 4:54pm | Report comment
Blacks still dont have a back up to Carter or McCaw, they lose either through injury it will make things interesting or more even haha
Ai Rui Sheng said | December 6th 2009 @ 9:35pm | Report comment
Oh yes they do!
Rockin Rod said | December 3rd 2009 @ 3:46pm | Report comment
Rugbyfanatic
I dont want to keep going on about POCOCK but you will read that with the John Eales Medal, votes will be given in 3 stages and the first stage results were announced today. Palu on top followed by Gits and then Pocock. This is over 5 games during spring tour, pocock was rested for 2 of these. This will cost him Australias biggest individual prize if Robbie keeps resting him for the easier test matches.
Brett McKay said | December 2nd 2009 @ 8:41am | Report comment
Rod, I quite like what Deans is putting together, and I really enjoyed all five Tests on tour, despite the losses and draws. There’s some really good rugby starting to be played, and people are getting excited about the game again. Things are looking up for 2010, no doubt at all.
I completely agree with everything you’ve said there, my point above was just that there’s still a long way to go before the Wallabies could be considered as good as the teams ranked above them.
I am a positive person, on the whole, but even I know the 2011 RWC can’t be won in November 2009…
Rickety Knees said | December 2nd 2009 @ 8:57am | Report comment
Me too Brett – the RWC is about winning a series of games in a row (8 I think) to win the RWC. The Wallabies won’t be a contender until they can consistantly win. The boom and bust cycle they are currently in cannot be papered over by the excellent win against Wales. All this euphoria is a tad premature guys – let’s see how we stand at the end of 2010 before we get too excited.
Greg Russell said | December 2nd 2009 @ 11:12am | Report comment
Brett, I like the France analogy (and in this context, note that they have never been “consistent” enough to win a WC, even though they have made several finals).
In the absence of being able to given anyone else credit for this analogy, I’ll give it to you!
Brett McKay said | December 2nd 2009 @ 11:37am | Report comment
Greg, I must in turn deflect credit to the ether then, becuase it certainly wasn’t my analogy. Might have been Spiro, actually, but either way, it’s pretty apt currently..
sheek said | December 2nd 2009 @ 6:39pm | Report comment
Greg/Brett,
France & NZ have both made the ‘final four’ cut 5 times out of 6. France missed 1991, NZ 2007.
Australia has made the final 4 cut 4 times out of six. We bombed out in the QFs of 1995 & 2007.
Final four appearances for other countries – England 4 times (91, 95, 03, 07); South Africa 3 times (95, 99, 07); Wales (87), Scotland (91) & Argentina (07), once each.
Ai Rui Sheng said | December 6th 2009 @ 9:41pm | Report comment
So England has choked more often than anyone, except France?
Bay35Pablo said | December 2nd 2009 @ 7:35am | Report comment
Agreed the media and naysayers were harping on too much, but by the same token I am not putting on the rose coloured glasses like you.
Plenty of work still to be done. Young team, and with more experience will only get better. However, if we expect it will just happen, we’ll end up like the Scotland game.
formeropenside said | December 2nd 2009 @ 7:51am | Report comment
First loss to Scotland in close on 30 years, a draw with a rusty Ireland, a poor quality win over England and a good win over Wales. Following up on a very poor 3N and Bledisloe performance, not great. Pretty much par for the course, a little below as far as NH tours go.
1. Cooper and Giteau should be the other way around. Giteau has been one of the world’s best 12′s in 2009; its a shame he had the 10 jumper on his back during that time. Its obvious Gits is not a top shelf test 10.
2. 10 years ago the scrum was pretty good. I agree its good now, but we are not using it to the degree we should. We should be using the scrum as an offensive weapon in its own right, and shunting teams around holding our own ball at the back.
3. When Pocock turns in a great performance in a 3N test I will start to get interested. Until then he’s a show pony.
Rockin Rod said | December 2nd 2009 @ 8:05am | Report comment
Brisbane test v SA, remeber we smacked them and who dominated the breakdown. POCOCK, didnt get the official MOM but the players gave it to him.
formeropenside said | December 2nd 2009 @ 8:07am | Report comment
In my original draft I excluded the patchy SA away from their home, but could not make it read right, so I gave up. Let me rephrase: when he shines in a hard test, in a beaten team, I will be interested. He goes missing too often in those games, or is ineffective.
Rockin Rod said | December 2nd 2009 @ 8:29am | Report comment
So Ireland, best northern hemishere team in the world and beat SA last week arent a good side,please. He was MOM again against them and we didnt win the game. Look i am a huge George Smith fan, but like robbie deans said, Pocock is years ahead of george and McCaw at the same age.
Yesterday benny robinson said he is like a rock at the breakdown, no one can move him. That from a guy that has been pushing every prop around the world this year
Jumpin Jack Flash said | December 2nd 2009 @ 12:03pm | Report comment
right on Rod
Dave Pocock is an Australian rugby prodigy and he will be there 2011 RWC starting no.7 in the final.
He is one of the best things in Australian rugby atm
J Col said | December 8th 2009 @ 10:49am | Report comment
I’m sorry but I find it hard for people not to see Pocock as the talent he is. What a compliment to have george smith benched and rotated for him. Against wales his 40 min first half work rate and turnover at the breakdown was more than most players fit into 80 min. Agree??? No doubt for a 21 yr old he is the best in the world for his age and achievements. future captain? you bet! Expect a huge season from him at the force. Tip him to lead them a match or two.
Dean Pantio said | December 2nd 2009 @ 7:58am | Report comment
This article wins the sarcasm award on The Roar for 2009. Nice one!
Rockin Rod said | December 2nd 2009 @ 8:39am | Report comment
One point that has been left out is that so many players were playing out of position or atleast a different position they play/train at during Super 14. So should robbie deans hay a say at state level??????
I think he should.
Will Digby be playing 13 for QLD ? maybe
Will Quade be palying 12 for QLD ? no he will be 10
Will Dean mum be playing LOCK for NSW? no he will be playing 6,
Will Berrick be playing 12 for NSW not sure??
Will Drew Mitchell be playing wing for NSW no he will be 15
Will James oconnor be playing 15 at Western force, no Cam Sheppard will be
Who knows where Beale will play ?? Deans picked him on the wing, Hickey said yesterday he is too slow for wing and will play closer in
The list goes on
Big Steve said | December 2nd 2009 @ 10:51am | Report comment
What about Luke Burgess as Genia’s back up next year.
Kingi has been mentioned but he is at the reds! Behind Genia. If Genia plays as well as he has on tour you would not take him off the field. They also have Ben Lucas who covers srcum and fly half. Which gives link much more flexibility on the bench. It depends where cooper plays, he may play 12 with lucas at 10 or he may play 10 with Lucas on the bench. But I think there is a good chance Kingi will not get on the bench or if he does he wont get much game time. So Burgess will be the back up again?
Hoy said | December 2nd 2009 @ 10:57am | Report comment
Without actually having seen Kingi play, you would have to say the Reds would have Lucas as back up 10 now. They have some talent, but might not know what to do with it.
Genia
Cooper
Hynes
Turinui?
Chambers?
Ioane?
????
Who will they throw at Fullback now with McLinden out? Plus Fetoa is now retired due to his neck injury.
Rockin Rod said | December 2nd 2009 @ 11:08am | Report comment
NSW rate Holmes very highly. They went hard for him and he chose tahs over brums. I think Holmes will be wearing the number 9 jersey after round 4. If you are NSW number 1 half, you go along way to making wallabies squad
Jumpin Jack Flash said | December 2nd 2009 @ 12:06pm | Report comment
Kingi is a great young player, who has some real talent and given the chance could be Genia’s understudy. He will need to switch teams though to get his chance…Melbourne perhaps???
The Other Reds Fan. said | December 2nd 2009 @ 1:46pm | Report comment
Backs aren’t really the problem at the Reds. Its the forwards. We have Horwill and ….?
Rockin Rod said | December 2nd 2009 @ 3:32pm | Report comment
JUST GET HOUSTON FIT, he could be anything. You dont get selected in the wallabies at 18 if you dont have what it takes.
Roy Kneebone said | December 2nd 2009 @ 4:26pm | Report comment
Jumpin Jack Flash
Robbie must see something in Kingi, but honestly if a test was played tomorrow, i think i would rather Sheehan,Valentine,Phibbs or even Oyong ahead of him. He is yet to play a S14 game and wont next year with Lucas a fine back up to Genia
Jumpin Jack Flash said | December 3rd 2009 @ 12:40am | Report comment
Roy (below)
Of course tomorrow all those woud be selected ahead of him but come 2011 I think it would b a diff story.
He played extremely well for Aust in the U20′s WC and given the chance to gain some experience in the big leagues is just what he needs
Nick_KIA said | December 2nd 2009 @ 2:54pm | Report comment
I think a bigger problem if the Ws are keen on winning some games is convincing Robbie to pick players in positions they excel l at at S14 level, not the oher way around.
Stephen F. Moon said | December 2nd 2009 @ 3:26pm | Report comment
Rockin Rod, your comments are often insightful and enjoyable, but here you demonstrate your lack of rugby knowledge.
Digby will be 13 for QLD
Quade will be 10 for QLD (just like he was for the Wallabies)
Mumm lock for NSW
Barnes 12 for NSW
Mitchell on the wing with Turner/Anesi at fullback
Shepard is better than Oconnor
If Beale is an international winger I will give it up? You are joking, right?
Rockin Rod said | December 2nd 2009 @ 3:38pm | Report comment
we will see Moon
Yes digby will be 13
quade will be 10, could have sworne he had 12 on his back for the 4 tests played in europe, could be wrong will go back to the tapes
Mumm only stayed at Tahs if he was given the 6 jumper, otherwise he was at brumbies before rocky signed
same for Barnes, he agreed to Tahs if he was to play 10.
Again same for Mitchell, he will be 15 with Turner and Anesi as wingers
Not bad for someone that knows nothing about rugby. You can hold me to all of this
Roy Kneebone said | December 2nd 2009 @ 4:09pm | Report comment
Rockin Rod
You are 100% right there, FACT and yes Quade played 12 the whole tour, i see you were joking there, sorry Mr Moon
Stephen F. Moon said | December 2nd 2009 @ 6:18pm | Report comment
Rockin Rod/Roy Kneebone. Its is clear you are the same person. Surely you can hold a good enough argument on your own, rather than using an alias to back up your own argument. Fair go.
Obviously Quade had 12 on his back. Thats not the point. He was playing like a 5/8 and will continue to do the same in QLD. The number on your back does not matter, as you yourself have pointed out elsewhere on this site. Barnes playing 10/12 at NSW is in the same boat. Beale/Halangahu to play alongside Barnes. Same goes for Mitchell/Turner/Anesi. Often it is beneficial for a player to play a number of positions…..
If Mumm is to play 6, who are the second rowers in NSW? When you say he signed on the proviso of playing 6, do you really think he will refuse to take the field if named in the second row?
Campo's Kid said | December 2nd 2009 @ 8:43am | Report comment
I agree with the majority of your points Fanatic.
Deans is the man for the job
Pocock will on improve for RWC (lets face it, thats what it’s all about)
Scrum – c+ for world standards (A- for oz standards)
Gits has to get out of the 5/8th spot. I find he gets lost several times throughout every game. A 5/8th primary role is to guide the team around the park and I feel he is a 7/10 here. Don’t get me wrong, I love him but I think more as a 12 or even 13. I think Barnes should be 5/8th.
You can’t help the press being negative. Beaten by Scotland, please!
I do think something has to change with the laws of rugby but thats for another time/place!
allblackfan said | December 2nd 2009 @ 9:06am | Report comment
I’ll reserve judgement until I see how they handle the ABs and Boks (and even a fired up France side for that matter) next year!! (and preferably in wet weather!)
I really like the look of Pocock and Genia, however.
Beale has no future as a Test winger, however. He’s simply too slow/small
Harry said | December 2nd 2009 @ 9:34am | Report comment
Agree with that although the Aus record against SA is actually pretty good in recent years, as it is against France (haven’t lost to them since 06). Versus NZ 2 wins from 14 or so in the last 4 years aint so flash though!