Wallaby boys thrashed by All Black men
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By Spiro Zavos, 2 Aug 2010 Spiro Zavos is a Roar Expert
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- All Blacks, Bledisloe Cup, Dan Carter, Joe Rokocovo, Mils Muliaina, Rugby Union, wallabies
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Kieran Read of the All Blacks breaks past the Wallabies defence during the first match of the Tri-Nation series, played at Etihad stadium, Melbourne, Saturday, July 31, 2010. (AAP Image/ Joe Castro)
The scary thing for the Wallabies going into the second Bledisloe Cup Test at Christchurch next Saturday is that the All Blacks were slightly off their best at Melbourne. Despite this, they scored 7 tries to 3, and more crucially were able to go up a gear in their attack virtually at will.
One remarkable statistic that bears this out is that they scored three tries to Dan Carter, Mils Muliaina and Joe Rokocovo and a penalty by Carter directly from four kick-offs. In a long career of watching big time rugby, I don’t think I have ever seen this number of tries scored by one side from kick-offs.
Occasionally, very occasionally in fact, you might get two. But three tries and a successful penalty suggests a superiority over an opponent that spells trouble, you would think, for the Wallabies at Christchurch.
A Sun-Herald sports sub was tough but accurate enough with his headline: Boys 28 – Men 49.
The difference between the All Blacks of this year and last year is quite astonishing. The coaching staff has got the team playing as commandingly as England did in 2002 and 2003. It is the most-capped All Blacks side ever. A number of the most experienced players were involved in the 2007 fiasco.
But there are new players (not selected in 2007) like the Franks brothers, Tom Donnelly, Kieran Read, Corry Jane and Ma’a Nonu who are giving the old hands the muscle, power and speed that has turned the side around this season.
In the words of Rod Macqueen before the Test, “this All Blacks side are on the verge of greatness.”
I had the pleasure of talking to a group of guests in the Clemenger BBDO box at Etihad Stadium before and during the Test along with New Zealand’s renaissance man Chris Laidlaw, great halfback, Rhodes Scholar, MP, noted radio broadcaster, and author.
The only real hope for the Wallabies, I suggested, lay in the fact that with 7 consecutive losses to the All Blacks they must be, in statistical terms at least, close to a victory. Moreover, the last 7-win streak by the All Blacks against the Wallabies was stopped at Melbourne in 2002.
This is a sort of variation of Peter FitzSimons’ intriguing theory that the All Blacks had already played 320 superb minutes of rugby against the Springboks and had, therefore, exhausted the amount of superb rugby any team can play in a season.
This was a good try by FitzSimons and myself.
The reality is that a team that wins this convincingly away from home, on a slippery surface that does not suit its fluid, hard-shouldered game, has a lot going for it. And Macqueen may well be right. How the All Blacks go in South Africa will be the acid test.
How can the Wallabies stop this juggernaut?
The first thing is that they have to believe they can. And as Robbie Deans pointed out, they played the last 37 minutes of the Test with Drew Mitchell off the field and held the All Blacks to a 14 – 15 score line.
What is more the Wallabies made most of the play in this period. So they have to believe that this shows they can compete with the All Blacks.
Another factor (or straw?) that can be grasped is that the Wallabies started off strongly and if James O’Connor had been been able to convert a long break into a try from the opening phases in the game the tenor of the match might, and I stress might, have been different.
I think that Robbie Deans has to change his pack around a bit.
Anthony Faingnaa should start at hooker. He is a busy player and the scrum seemed to go well enough with him there. His toughness and speed around the ruck area are badly needed.
Nathan Sharpe was taken off and replaced by Rod Simmons. Simmons needs to start, either with Sharpe or Dean Mumm. There is a compelling case, too, for Scott Higginbottom to come in as a flanker. Just for his size, I’d go with Sharpe, with the proviso that he rarely plays up to his weight.
Rocky Elsom can be moved to number 8. These changes should toughen up the pack and give it some more speed with David Pocock and Higginbottom leading the way.
The Wallabies missed Quade Cooper, and they will be a much better side when he comes back into the side after Christchurch. Matt Giteau made a slashing break in the opening seconds of the Test but that was it. Cooper would have challenged the defence and defeated it occasionally as well.
I would move Giteau back to inside centre (Macqueen’s option, too) and play Berrick Barnes at number 10 with strict instructions to keep his kicking to minimum. It was his attempted kick which Carter charged down (immediately after he’d been charged down by Drew Mitchell) which brought the All Blacks really into the Test.
With Rob Horne out, Adam Ashley-Cooper will probably be moved into the centres. We might see Cameron Shepherd on the wing in place of Drew Mitchell, who as a Roarer suggests should give away the bruiser boy haircut and let his playing reveal his toughness.
Kurtley Beale will probably go back to fullback where he played pretty well while he was on the field.
A big problem for the Wallabies right now is that they are playing dumb rugby and making stupid mistakes. For instance, following the yellow card given to Ben Franks, Giteau failed to find touch. The All Blacks ran the ball back, got some momentum and a try followed shortly afterwards.
Late in the first half, when Drew Mitchell was in the sin-bin for a tackle (?) that wasn’t replayed on my TV coverage, the referee Craig Joubert (who had an excellent game) called both captains and warned them that there were two many instances of a team preventing its opponents from taking quick taps or quick lineouts. The next infringement was going to be a yellow card, he said.
This was good strong refereeing. Richie McCaw went over to his players and told them in no uncertain terms what the requirement was. Rocky Elsom wandered away and seemingly did not tell anyone. There was a television shot of Drew Mitchell limbering up on the sideline seemingly unaware of this general warning.
Mitchell should have been paying attention because if a player is given two yellow cards, he immediately becomes a red card victim. I am always amazed how nonchalantly players ignore this yellow card peril. And some time after, early on in the second half, Mitchell cynically and slyly knocked the ball out of an All Black’s hands trying for a quick throw-in. Stupid, stupid, stupid!
The cruel thing about this is that Deans’ coaching career has been marked by turning players into clever, smart operators. Three of the All Blacks pack and Carter were all trained and identified by Deans.
Somehow in a week he has to turn a side that is being out-gunned and out-thought into a winning combination. And this team has to play in a city where the All Blacks invariably play well.
It’s getting close to miracle time this season for the Wallabies.
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Matt said | August 2nd 2010 @ 6:32am | Report comment
I too would like to see Anthony at hooker. His straight running and defence would stiffen the pack. I’m sure Saia would be happy to give him some lessons on front row play during the next week.
Marty said | August 2nd 2010 @ 12:24pm | Report comment
And Rod Simmons?
darwin stubby said | August 2nd 2010 @ 6:38am | Report comment
“And this team has to play in a city where the All Blacks invariably play well.” …. and throw in the fact it’ll probably be between 3-7 degrees in temp and a good chance of rain and wind … not 24 and indoors …
What’s more stupid re Mitchell – is that not only was he not told of the yellow card warning when he returned, the message obviously wasn’t enforced in the changing rooms at halftime … FFS – you’d think that at the very least such matters would be drummed into the players as part of the halftime talk – I’m assuming the coaches get the feed of the ref’s call – if so this is yet another massive slip up by the coaches and obviously the captain – as a scribe who regularly writes on he would say – brain dead
Mick Gold Coast QLD said | August 2nd 2010 @ 1:38pm | Report comment
It’s up to the damn players to work it out for themselves, especially those like Mitchell who have been there for years, playing under international referees in Super 14, tours and internationals.
The experienced ones don’t need a captain to remind them of things they ought to know – the rules (backwards), accurate reading of the mood of the referee, processing what their eyes see as the game develops, understanding that you just don’t give the ref nowhere else to go by being downright stupid right in front of him.
I am jack of hearing it is the ref’s fault, the captain’s fault, the coach’s fault, slippery conditions (a Rod Kafer special, that, the first time an Australian cocks up – he does it in just about every match), bad IRB rules and so on.
It is simply bizarre when one sees with one’s own eyes a bloke acting like a donkey, then hearing every reason possible to excuse him. Mitchell is a grown man with long experience in his job – his full time job – in which he is expected to excel at the level of top 3 or 4 in the country in what he gets paid to do.
Spencer said | August 2nd 2010 @ 2:20pm | Report comment
Well said Mick! Personal accountability is mandatory at this level. In fact any professional (sporting or otherwise) knows this.
Mitchell should be sent packing. He is a slow learner and a toy-boy. Get a man in there FFS.
Ben S said | August 2nd 2010 @ 6:40am | Report comment
Stephen Moore is an interesting player. Around 2007 he was probably the best hooker in the world, since then he has slipped further down the world pecking order. I noticed his lack of agility during the Scotland Test in November when he failed to trundle in an open try under the posts. Hookers do tend to lose some pace and dynamism as they get older, with athleticism being replaced by a toughness and durability. I thought this was the case with Moore, but apparently not. Granted he has had injury problems, but he is nigh on invisible. Compare his work rate and effectiveness to that of Mealamu. I don’t buy the chat that Australia lacks depth, but I do in terms of hooking. TPN is badly needed.
Who could replace Moore? I don’t think Faingaa is the answer. He may have a good ‘attitude’ but that doesn’t translate physically. When he tried a bit of argy bargy with Spies Spies dragged him about one-handed. Faingaa is literally a sack of potatoes. I made reference to Nathan Charles when debating with sheek a while back. Charles may or may not be Test material, and I haven’t seen enough of him to suggest that he is, but what Charles does have is dynamism, and that is what Australia needs right now: somebody to lift the urgency and tempo of the pack. The Australian pack is full of plodders: Robinson, Ma’afu, Mumm, Sharpe, Brown… Robinson may be an excellent scrummager, but he doesn’t dominate collisions like Owen Franks does. IMHO Deans needs to go for break and throw in a player like Higginbotham to share the carrying load with Elsom. I’d even start Simmons, as Spiro says, because why not? What more can we learn from Mumm and Sharpe that we don’t already know? The battle is won and lost up front, as always, and that is where NZ have the edge. Woodcock, Mealamu, Franks, Thorn and Kaino are very dynamic and athletic forwards.
I’m sure I’ll get laughed out of here, but if I were Deans I’d make the following changes:
Robinson, Moore, Slipper, Elsom, Sharpe, Higginbotham, Pocock, Mowen.
warrenexpatinnz said | August 2nd 2010 @ 6:59am | Report comment
Ben your selections are pretty close to the mark with only the back line needing either Shepherd or Anthony Faainaga in to add some straight running bulk.
Brown had perhaps his worst game but I temper that with the fact that he may have been a bit hazy due to the Franks hit as his coordination seemed lacking?
The lack of Cooper cost the Wallabies considerably as did the confidence sapping charge down to Barnes kick.
Ben S said | August 2nd 2010 @ 7:07am | Report comment
Brown seemed out for the count after that hit. In reality he is not an 8. He reminds me of Scott Fava, and that isn’t good. I’m not sure that Mowen would bring the house down at 8, but he’s a good lineout operator, and it never hurts to have some extra height in the backrow. It isn’t like Brown offsets his lack of size by punishing defence or creating havoc at rucks.
I think Horne’s injury is a blessing in disguise in the short-term. I thought he looked a classy Super player, but a 13 of his age and size isn’t what a misfiring backline needs right now. Shepherd has an opportunity now. I think he’s a good 15.
Brett McKay said | August 2nd 2010 @ 8:38am | Report comment
Warren, do you think Anthony Faingaa could slot into Horne’s 13 jumper?? (would certainly be less controversial than picking him at hooker). You’d have to think Shepperd is a chance for Mitchell’s wing spot too, and then we could leave Ashley-Cooper at the back.
If Brown is doubtful, Higginbotham or McCalman straight into 8 would make sense to me, rather than shuffling Elsom. Simmons starting has a little bit of “he has to learn sometime” about it, and I think it’s a reasonable idea.
Ben, Brown might remind you of Scotty Fava, but Brown will never be good good enough to play for every Australian Super Rugby side
warrenexpatinnz said | August 2nd 2010 @ 10:12am | Report comment
Brett there is something about Anthony Faingaa (I think I spell his name diffrent everytime I write it) where he gives me the impression that he would click at 13 with his step and suprisingly good strength. Horne plays very upright and thus pretty easy to tackle where as Anthony is between him and Ioanne’s crouching tiger positioning.
Shep would be a good option for Mitchell’s spot but also as full back as you could give AAC that wing and have him rove a bit more then have Shep at 15. I wonder about giving Beale a crack though as his style of play would be suited against the ABs more than Mitchell’s as the game on Saturday, due to its pace and lack of structure at times showed that a player like Beale would have more space for his free running, hole taking style which is pure instinct based than taught.
Fully agree Higginbotham in for Brown but not so sure about McCalman as haven’t seen enough of him (any matches of note to review for him?)
Brett McKay said | August 2nd 2010 @ 10:39am | Report comment
yeah agree Warren, and I’d be interesting to see if Faingaa slots in there. From memory, and while primarily a 12 or occassional 10, I believe he played a bit of 13 in his junior days, including the Aust side that one a junior RWC (he and his brother were VC and C, and Genia and Pocock were in the same side). The way he plays 12 anyway, it wouldn’t be that foreign playing 13.
Beale I’d be inclined to leave on the bench, I’m nervous enough about Beale and O’Connor in the same 22, let alone the same XV, and that’s why I suggested Shepperd. You might have a point about playing AAC on the wing, but he and Shepperd would interchange pretty well I’d imagine.
McCalman went really well in the ten minutes he got against SA in Brisbane (came on for Brown I think, too), but might be of more use of the bench covering 4-6 and 8. He or Higginbotham straight into 8 would work just as well..
Justin said | August 2nd 2010 @ 12:39pm | Report comment
I think it would be pretty unfair on AF to have him make his debut against the ABs at 13, out of position. 12 and 13 are quite different propositions, particularly with the defensive decision making required.
From what I have seen he is a 12 and a genuine option too.
I wouldnt have McCalman or Higginbotham at 8. Elsoms skill levels are well below Test standard, cant pass and struggles to catch so how he would pick and go with a scrum under pressure is not something I would like to see.
But I bet you Robbies puts him in the 8 jumper before the year is out. If I was to move him it would be into the second row to play the Brad Thorn type role.
ohtani's jacket said | August 2nd 2010 @ 9:40am | Report comment
Stephen Moore is the same old story for the Wallabies: a breakout season, everyone says they’re the best player in the world and then they never recapture that form again. The same thing happened with Elsom, Horwill last season and iGenia and Robinson this season.
Joseph said | August 2nd 2010 @ 2:43pm | Report comment
OJ you write with so much conviction about how any reasonable player not wearing black is an “also ran” or not on par with his Black clad opposite! Yet you easily gloss over how “rose tinted” the AB’s tight 5 and/or front row allow your view to be.
Considering that all those you name and more dont have the luxury of operating off front foot ball by comparison has me thinking you are full of poo’s bro. For example thinking Genia is a “flash in the pan” Your hilarious! Watch how he ran rings around Weepu (who I like) Reds v Canes a few months back which was consistent with his play all year, yet Weepu is supposed to be the man now….. Genia’s forwards struggle for “go-forward” and their “pick and go” in-effective on Saturday limiting Genia’s options and he’s a “flash in the pan” sheez you know your stuff bro!
Richierich said | August 2nd 2010 @ 6:50pm | Report comment
It doesn’t matter what anyone did in super 14 Joseph it’s the here and now and Genia got owned by both Cowan and Weepu on Saturday night.
the sooner the Wallabies start living in the present they might actually start rolling the ABs.
Joseph said | August 2nd 2010 @ 7:07pm | Report comment
The sooner the Wallabies front row start to dominate their AB’s counterparts is when they will start to turn the tide. Cowan can only dream of what its like to dine at the same table as Genia my friend. That kid has dined on “front foot ball” for a few years now for little ROI.
Richierich said | August 2nd 2010 @ 7:20pm | Report comment
8 and counting Joseph Genia will be eating Cowans crumbs for a while yet.
oh by the way I don’t recall the Reds winning the Super 14 this year do you?
ohtani's jacket said | August 2nd 2010 @ 7:16pm | Report comment
Genia sucked. Deal with it.
Joseph said | August 2nd 2010 @ 7:54pm | Report comment
Seriously are you guys trying to claim Cowan a better half than Genia cause his team won??? Wheres your objectivity? contextual appreciation of “front foot ball” or possession in attacking half??
Its like saying young O’Connor is a better winger than Habana cause they beat the Boks. Morne Steyn a better flyhalf than Carter cause they beat us 3 zip!! hahaha so then Steven Donald is a better flyhalf than Giteau cause we beat Oz last year. Quite the discerning fans huh?
ohtani's jacket said | August 2nd 2010 @ 8:07pm | Report comment
Nobody mentioned Cowan until you brought him up. I can’t even remember how many minutes he lasted on Saturday.
The point is that Genia had another poor game against the All Blacks. His defence was poor, his clearances were slow (again), he made no real runs that I can remember and his partnership with Giteau appeared to be non-existent. All this from a guy who’s supposed to be a world beater and as individually brilliant as Pocock.
Will Genia seems like a better player than Cowan, but he’s not showing it at Test level. Cowan is scrappy but defensively and for sheer match temperament I think he’s better in Test matches than Genia. Super 14 is completely different and has no bearing on what happens in Test matches otherwise NZ would have lost.
Justin said | August 2nd 2010 @ 8:23pm | Report comment
How many missed tackles OJ. His service wasnt slow, you have a set against him pure and simple. You feel he has been overly praised and fair enough but keep some objectivity please…otherwise you are as bad as the guys you claim are wrapping him up too much.
Eagle said | August 2nd 2010 @ 10:06pm | Report comment
Genia is just back from injury and played with in a new combo. His forwards were overrun. I think OJ is a bit harsh in calling him a one hit wonder. He has far too much class to become ornary.
Jason said | August 2nd 2010 @ 11:36pm | Report comment
@Eagle. It’s not a new combination. Genia spent time as the scrum half with Giteau as first five eighth in all four games against the All Blacks last year. In one of those matches (Tokyo) he started. The reality is he had a blinder of a S14 but hasn’t translated that at test level. His effort on the weekend was not great, by any stretch of the imagination.
Joseph said | August 3rd 2010 @ 6:49am | Report comment
Hope you dont think i’m “wrapping Genia up” Justin. All I am claiming is he’s better than Cowan! Actually my blind 3 legged labrador would display more intelligence behind a go-forward pack than Jimmy!!
Jerry said | August 3rd 2010 @ 7:15am | Report comment
Well, his missed (or at least ineffective) tackles resulted in two tries, so I think it’s fair to raise his defensive problems.
chuck said | August 3rd 2010 @ 7:24am | Report comment
OTANIS JACKETI agree with you what Jimmy Cowan did was make him slide across you could see macaw in the inside channel making sure he doesn’t cut through and made him send the flat ball which makes him look very slow he is a good player but up against a new Zealand side full of international caps G/H did his home work in that area you right he didn’t have a very good game at the office and when the pack that getting shoved back doesn’t give
him any room.
PB said | August 6th 2010 @ 1:10am | Report comment
A bit of an overstatement, OJ. Moore’s back from a broken jaw for 2 games. I thought in his return match he was consistent, though far from his best. He’ll be back. Elsom and Genia are both at the top of their games, and how do you rate a single player the best in the world, anyway? Form is cyclical.
ohtani's jacket said | August 6th 2010 @ 1:49am | Report comment
We keep hearing a lot about how so and so are just back from injury, but so too are Muliaina and Donnelly. Nonu as well.
My point is that a lot of these Wallabies have had breakout seasons but few (if any of them) have pressed on. Moore’s problems actually started last year well before this injury.
mampara said | August 2nd 2010 @ 6:54am | Report comment
when are you ozzys going to admit that Deans is not the super coach you make him out to be…PLEASE drop Mitchell that will be an excellent move. Hope he keeps Brown in the team to. Now our clown as you call him is 4 from 8 against NZ with the next game in Johannesburg while ‘ol super coach is 1 from 12 with a game next week in Christchurch.
Brad said | August 2nd 2010 @ 9:56am | Report comment
Robbie Deans is a brilliant coach – if the Wallabies dump him, I hope the Boks take him.
sheek said | August 2nd 2010 @ 10:32am | Report comment
Thank you Brad,
I wonder if those calling for Deans’ head have thought through about the quality of the guy they want to replace?
And who are the alternatives, & how will they make things different, or specifically better?
Deans came to the job better credentialed than any other coach in the world. His super rugby record is unrivaled.
Will McKenzie (everyone’s choice to replace Deans in 2012) break his contract with the Reds early to become Wallaby coach? Would he welcome such an obvious dilemma?
Why would MacQueen break his commitment to the Melbourne Rebels to coach the Wallabies again? MacQueen is a man of his word, & wholly committed to the Rebels.
How would Nucifora, with his abrasive & divisive personality, be a better option to Deans? And would he give up his current position of being the Head of Performance Excellence for Australian rugby?
It’s all very well for these people to say Deans must go, but where’s the proof that the alternative, or any alternative, will somehow magically work better….. ?
Mick Gold Coast QLD said | August 2nd 2010 @ 2:13pm | Report comment
Could not have said it better myself, sheek. It is is as simple and as accurate as that – well done.
The man is very good at what he does, even when presented with 2nd raters.
When I see a Wallaby contingent with the work ethic, consistency, pride and determination of a David Wilson or a Simon Poedevin fail on the field through bad tactics, then I’ll turn on the coach.
Watching Jon O’Neill interviewed on Sunday I was reminded talk of replacing coaches is the plaything of a lazy, mischievous media and of administrators fearful for their own survival.
It generally has little to do with objective assessment of the capability of the victim. I want to see more years pass before we again consider an Australian – the damage wrought on Australian rugby development by the internecine warfare of States and other factions is one of the reasons we are as feeble as we know are on the field.
Wal The Hooker said | August 2nd 2010 @ 6:34pm | Report comment
Right on fellas, DEVELOPMENT is the operative word. NPC in NZ, Currie Cup in SA, ?? in OZ. You pick on the coach, where’s the personnel?
Here’s one for you Deans detractors? Imagine if Deans did get the AB’s coaching job? Would O’Neil have gone for Henry? The mind boggles!
mother teresa said | August 2nd 2010 @ 7:11pm | Report comment
thats negative crap;australia has done better than deans at rwc why not use mckenzie ,he did well in 2003 against deans.ta
Dan said | August 2nd 2010 @ 8:27pm | Report comment
The Springboks also have 3 times as many players to choose from and aren’t competing with two other major contact football codes for the best talent. Australia’s situation is vastly different to that of either SA or NZ.
Ben said | August 2nd 2010 @ 7:01am | Report comment
The most confusing aspect of this Wallby team/organisation for me is that unlike other i really do believe they have the players to be a quality outfit….after watching the Super 14, i honestly believe out backline contingent is the ennvy of most the world…..whilst thin in some forward positions..deans is refusing to run our 2nd best when our best are out….IE Baxter, Dunning…etc.
I also beive the Deans is a good coach….I just think he is not tough enough on these guys and this is where the brain explosions are occuring….if you look at great Australian Coaches and Captains (Mark Waugh, Wall Lewis, John Eales etc) they didnt suffer any nonsense and no player under them would even try it. The simple things were done right end of storey.
Good players plus good coach = poor team….something is missing. I wonder if it is Deans communication.
Everytime i listen to him i switch off and if i was a player under him would as well…unless he is more direct in his communication behind doors.
sheek said | August 2nd 2010 @ 10:35am | Report comment
Ben,
Let’s be honest here – while we have some wonderful players, & others of potential greatness, there is a lack of quality across the park & in most positions.
I reckon these guys are playing just about as well as they can. The reason for the stupid mistakes is that they are unable to take their (most of them) game to the next level. That’s the brutal truth – we just don’t have the cattle right now…..
Justin said | August 2nd 2010 @ 12:41pm | Report comment
He might well be a very good coach but he is a poor selector…
Sylvester said | August 2nd 2010 @ 10:47pm | Report comment
Are the Wallabies are poor team? I’d suggest they’re just not as good as the ABs, which does seem too bad on current form.
Justin said | August 3rd 2010 @ 9:18am | Report comment
The important question for me is can this team get better with superior players that arent being selected. I believe it can.
Dexter William said | August 2nd 2010 @ 7:20am | Report comment
Turning Point of the game:
3 men running towards Barnes. He chooses to kick. The ball hit Carter in the chest area – CHEST AREA.
I am totally deflated by the players (most of them) and the coaching (selection and strategy).
inkosi said | August 2nd 2010 @ 9:20am | Report comment
I thought the only player that did put his hand up was Bam Bam, his stats well outshone the next player.
Also AAC was a bit off but I think that had more to do with the big hit he took early on. Also agree with some earlier posters I think Horne’s injury is a blessing in disguise.
Good piece again Spiro.
Rockin Rod said | August 2nd 2010 @ 5:40pm | Report comment
on what site can you get the stats Inkosi, bambam is a , should be captain NOW
inkosi said | August 3rd 2010 @ 9:41am | Report comment
Hey Rockin Rod – got them from the Green & Gold Rugby Site:
http://www.greenandgoldrugby.com/awful-aussies-wallaby-player-ratings/
Pocock – 9 David Pocock had a blinder with a massive workrate. He made 23 tackles (10 more than anyone else) and was the turnover king. There was daylight between him and the rest, however, he didn’t actually outplay Richie McCaw. McCaw was magnificent, Pocock was just….outstanding. Bam will eventually be the ‘Richie McCaw’ of his day.
mother teresa said | August 2nd 2010 @ 7:13pm | Report comment
dexter,the selections for the chosen strategy is beyond belief.you are spot on mate
johnny-boy said | August 2nd 2010 @ 7:26am | Report comment
Spiro – heresy I know but there were times during the match that I thought jc, this Wallaby team could take any team in the world apart if they could just play smart for any length of time. They were making easy inroads on the All Blacks. And then thru fear or over exuberance decided to do something really really silly. They were pressing the line severla times with forward drives and with some patience and control would have made it over the line easily but no, thru fear and lack of belief that surely they couldnt just waltz thru the All Back forward pack, as they were doing, they then had to try something flashy. This fear seems to be driving them to push the envelope right out there, which results in them screwing up and giving the All Blacks gift after gift. I think the players subconsciously know they have the capacity too so they think hey we can just try anything and it will work without doing hard work – and then they come unstuck. I suspect the All Black players know as well and are thinking jc – we hope the Wallabies keep making stupid mistakes ! We’ll just play straight forward no nonsense quality rugby (which they are great at) and let the Wallabies implode, as they did. Idiots. Rocky Elsom made the comment post match that the problem was the Wallabies didnt go hard enough in the first stanza or somehting to that effect. Sadly he is competely wrong. What the Wallabies need to do is settle in to the game slow and steady. Let the other team know that their defence can be great, then sllooooowwwly turn it up notch by notch. Not all bloody notches at once ! I was thinking in the shower this morning, as you do, that is there some sub-conscious mental block with Deans that is holding back this Wallaby team fulfilling it’s potential. Does he really want to see his beloved All Blacks walloped ? (I saw enough on Saturday to believe it can be done but not with current captain, tactics and some underacheiving players). It is as if he has been deliberately cruelling this team from achieving it’s potential. Why else would you stick with Mumm ? Why would you hold Higginbotham back until the TN and Bledisloe is lost ?. Why would you give the captaincy to Rocky when it is obvious he is not suited ?. Why else would you tell Genia to go slow at the ruck a la old Burgess (or alternatively not tell him to speed it up ! – it’s so un-australian and unnatural for Genia ). Why would you put Giteau back at 1st five when he just coming to some great form at 12 – to cruel his confidence ? – and after you just spent the last 2 years finding out he was crap at 10 !. Why why why ? I’m at the point that if I had any hair I would tear it out. I almost on the verge of scalping myself. For the 1st time in almost half a century I’ll skip watching a test match live. There are too many bad selections and tactics for this to be more than a coincidence. I’m not yet at the stage of a NZRFU conspiracy as I dont think they are smart enough but the only chance the Wallabies have on winning in the weekend is to kick Deans out of the dressing rooms (especially so he doesnt regale them of stories of how awesome and clinical and ruthless his beloved All Blacks are so they are so terrified they feel they have to push the envelope all the time) and tell him we are doing it our way. The Australian way, relaxed but confident and at pace.
And after a rousing rendition of waltzing matilda just go out and do it. Sadly I think my frustration is making me delusional on the last point.
johnny-boy said | August 2nd 2010 @ 7:34am | Report comment
And another thing, it has always been the Australian way to bring on brash, cheeky get out and stick it to them youngsters to upset the All Blacks and I can think of Phil Kearns, Simon Poidevin, Ben Tune and even a young Drew Mitchell (before he decide to unmature) off the top of my head. Unfortunately it is Deans’ way to be conservative, stick with his under-performing players and try to develop them over a period of time. You can afford to do that in NZ because the players have ingrained good skils and knowledge (like at least getting there for kickoffs !) that often just needs confidence to bring them on. It’s almost the complete opposite in Australia, which is why it isnt working. Ya really screwed up there JON. Seemed like a good idea at the time I agree but it’s getting beyond a joke and loyalty. Australian rugby is at stake here. Don’t use mealy mouthed spin to avoid responsibility for taking it even further backwards.
johnny-boy said | August 2nd 2010 @ 7:51am | Report comment
And while i’m on it, it also appears Deans is encouraging the Wallabies to push the envelope and try to ‘cheat’ like the Kiwis’. The Kiwis can get away with it because they are trained to and have finer skills. The Wallabies don’t and consequently when they try it, it’s just damn embarassing and clumsy. Mitchell slapping the ball down while looking at the referee a case in point. Frustratingly the Wallabies could IMDO (in my delusional opinion) comfortably beat the All Blacks without it and amazingly Joubert was giving the Wallabies a dream run by being one of the 1st international referees ever to have the balls to finally penalize the All Blacks for these cunning indiscretions. I’ll raise your stupids Spiro.
Corvus said | August 2nd 2010 @ 7:56am | Report comment
Couple of things.
First is Rocky as captain. He didn’t set up a good relationship with Joubert from the beginning. Richie on the other hand had him eating out of hand. That’s not Richie’s fault, he just did what was needed of him. It was also obvious that Rocky couldn’t motivate his troops nor could get them reorganised when things started to go pear shaped. To cap it off he didn’t communicate with the team which led to Mitchell’s send off. Being captain isn’t an easy job but Rocky doesn’t look happy in the position. I say it’s time to hand it over to the heir apparent Pocock with Genia as deputy. Two players close to the ruck and who link the forwards & backs. Both are smart, have calm heads and lead by example.
Melbourne. Please let us never play another Bledisloe here again. I know tickets sales will be astronomical but at what price. The crowd was two thirds kiwi. It was basically a home game for the AB’s. Get the important tests up to Brisbane. Develop a mental edge over the top two teams at Suncorp. Use that as a foundation to get wins away in NZ and SA.
Deans as coach. We are always going to struggle against the AB’s with Deans as coach. How is he going to build that loathing and passion to destroy all that’s black and grind it into the dirt without an inch of mercy.
The AB’s don’t fear us. Why should they. We certainly fear them. Unfortunately I can see a record being broken shortly. Eleven straight losses to the AB’s is looking very real.
Ben S said | August 2nd 2010 @ 8:07am | Report comment
‘Rocky couldn’t motivate his troops nor could get them reorganised when things started to go pear shaped’
I don’t know if anybody else has noticed this, but the Wallaby players do not flock to Elsom. If there is a broken moment, or a lull in play, the team, or even the forwards, won’t go toward Elsom. They’ll just plod about aimlessly. McCaw is like the cool kid at school, the other kids always veer towards him if they have an opportunity.
Short-Blind. said | August 2nd 2010 @ 8:56am | Report comment
Yes I outed Rocky as not captain material about 6 months ago. Last night was the final picture for those not yet convinced that he should be ‘rested’ as captain and Genia/Pocock take over. Good player but way too introverted and not a good enough communicator with ref, own team and media to be captain. sorry.
allblackfan said | August 2nd 2010 @ 10:37am | Report comment
did anyone else notice McCaw having a chat with the ref as they trooped off at halftime or was it just me?
MarkR said | August 2nd 2010 @ 11:59am | Report comment
Interesting the way they both approached the ref. Rocky getting told to stop shouting at him as he was complaining about Abs stopping quick taps, 1 min later McCaw tries to talk to Joubert & was told “not right now”, he just goes OK & walks away.
Chris said | August 2nd 2010 @ 5:21pm | Report comment
Case in point was when Joubert (who I think is an excellent ref btw) apologising to Richie for
being unable to find the AB culprit (it was number 18) who llifted AAC in a tackle. Although
there was nothing in the tackle, why the hell was Joubert apologising to Richie?! He should have
been apologising to Rocky!! Hilarious and typified the night th WB’s had!
Rockin Rod said | August 2nd 2010 @ 5:43pm | Report comment
Totally agree, make the call now Pocock captain, genia vice captain, then we can see the old Rocky play well again
Mick Gold Coast QLD said | August 2nd 2010 @ 2:26pm | Report comment
Why not Giteau? I have read here he is a way superior player to Dan Carter and everyone else; plus he sure knows how to bark at everyone else on the field, for failing to give him the bestest pass, fit for the bestest prince of players. And for not tackling blokes who run at him, because that’s not in his job description.
The way he was barking and shouting at the others as he ran back from taking that kick late in the game, when it was already lost, told me he just doesn’t get it.
The All Blacks includes 3 captains, I think (Mils, Mealamu). The only one who talks much is the half. I guess they are too busy doing, rather than talking. It’s much the same with the Springboks.