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Wallabies add spice, but still lack flavour

6th August, 2010
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6th August, 2010
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Anthony Faingaa

The Wallabies are heading in the right direction with the introduction of two more Reds players. However, they need more. The headlines during the week regarding the Wallaby boys being outplayed by the All Black men are true.

It was a terrific performance from an experienced and highly skilled All Black outfit.

This week Anthony Faingaa will join the run on side, a great inclusion in my view. The Wallabies have lacked a strong running, hard-nosed defensive centre since the likes of Rod Kafer and Nathan Grey retired.

What Faingaa will provide is a platform for his team to work from. His defensive prowess should see him handle the power of Ma’a Nonu – which Barnes struggled with – whilst also trucking the ball up in traffic, something that Barnes has rarely done.

The Wallabies won’t lose a great deal having Giteau at 10.

The criticism of him has been somewhat unwarranted, in my view. People seem to forget he was the only Wallaby to be named in the team of the decade. He’ll do a fine job provided he packs his kicking boots.

Having Barnes at inside provoked a running game that our forwards weren’t capable of matching. Sending the ball wide is all well and good when you have the cattle capable of getting to the breakdown to secure possession.

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Faingaa will settle the ball in midfield whilst providing his forwards with the much needed time to arrive and recycle possession.

This will then provide Giteau with the opportunity to spread the ball wide on phase play, whilst taking advantage of the lack of speed shown by All Blacks outside centre, Conrad Smith.

Personally, I am a Conrad Smith fan. He’s become Mr Perpetual Motion in the All Blacks backline. However, he lacks the genuine pace needed to defend in that position.

Because of the strength of the All Blacks side, he has rarely been troubled. Smith’s tackling technique can often represent that of Richard Brown’s shirt grabbing display last week.

A speedy back with a good fend could easily exploit this on phase play when the defensive line is lacking structure, particularly with great broken field runners like Kurtley Beale and James O’Connor.

The introduction of Faingaa not only brings solidity to the Wallaby midfield; it also brings that infectious enthusiasm which the Reds showed throughout the Super Rugby season.

The Reds were enthusiastic in both attack and defence, and whilst the Wallaby side has a good sprinkling of other franchises’ players. I believe that the inclusion of more Reds players will only be beneficial.

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Saia Faingaa is another great selection; his fearless attitude will be extremely effective in the hustle and bustle of the breakdown, particularly when Jonathon Kaplan is refereeing.

His “free for all until I say so” approach will obviously work in the favour of Faingaa and Pocock. However, I’m certain Richie McCaw is also licking his lips at thought of being given an extended piece of rope at the breakdown. It will be interesting to see if any players take too much rope, and hangs themselves.

For me, the continual exclusion of Scott Higginbotham is perplexing. Deans loves to blood firebrand youngsters, however, has decided to remain with the shirt grabbing Richard Brown.

During the week people were calling for the head of Drew Mitchell, however, Brown’s pathetic attempted tackle last week was enough to warrant a return lower grade club rugby.

It showed a clear lack of enthusiasm and commitment that a Wallaby should provide. I think someone like Higginbotham could provide this rabid attitude the Wallabies need.

This is obviously a colossal task for the Wallabies. They are facing an All Blacks side which is continually turning the screws on their opposition.

This is undoubtedly the squad they wish to take to the World Cup next year. Might I add again like I did last week, that the All Blacks form is mighty fine.

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In fact, I would say that it’s beginning to simmer.

The World Cup is still a year off. Can they hold off the boil before then?

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