Wallabies need to learn lessons from Steve Waugh

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By Vinay Verma, 15 Aug 2010 Vinay Verma is a Roar Guru

Tagged:: All Blacks, Cricket, Rugby Union, Rugby World Cup, Steve Waugh, wallabies

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Australian cricket captain Steve Waugh (left), and Vice Captain Shane Warne (right) display the World Cup Cricket trophy. Australia's 1 Day Cricket World Cup winning team drove in a motorcade down Sydney's main street to celebrate in a ticket tape parade with over 100,000 well wishers attending. AAP Photo/ Pablo Ramire

The Wallabies are not the Bangladesh of rugby. The Wallabies are one of the top three teams in world rugby. It is but two short steps to the summit. There is no void there. The gulf is not insurmountable.

Let there be no recriminations. No witch hunt for the coach. No censuring of players that don the green and gold.

Let there be no belittling of the ardent fan who wants his team to win.

It is negative for us to accept a narrow defeat. Nothing less than victory will take away the pain. Nine straight and counting is a tale too morose to countenance.

These 15 young men dressed in a garb of black are not super-natural aliens from another galaxy. They only live across the ditch. Many kiwis call Australia home. But we should not allow them to camp on our front lawn and smile in that self-satisfied and smug manner.

The Wallabies need to take a leaf out of Mark Taylor’s 1995 West Indian odyssey. How did his team reach the summit? The Windies had not been beaten since the early eighties. The last time Australia beat them was in 1975-76. They came close in Adelaide on Australia Day in 1993, when McDermott was given out caught off his helmet.

Leading up to the first Test Australia lost their frontline pacers in McDermott and Damien Fleming. There is a message here for the Wallabies. Palu, Horwill and Ioane are injured but that is no excuse. It is an opportunity.

It hinged on one seminal moment. The instant when Glen McGrath bounced Curtly Ambrose and Courtney Walsh in the first Test. At the team meeting the night before the team vowed: “Let’s treat their tailenders with no respect.

“Let’s bounce them upon their arrival at the crease. We’ll be the ones doing the intimidating, but we must never lose a grip on things. We must follow up this greeting with controlled aggression, to then get them out.” (From OUT OF MY COMFORT ZONE, By Steve Waugh.)

Steve Waugh recalls: “Bad body language is a bit like smelly underarms in that you don’t really sense it, but those around you pick up on it in an instant.”

So what is the equivalent of bouncing tailenders in a Rugby Test against the All Blacks?

It would have to be not backing down at the Haka. This is a ritual where the AB’s throw down the gauntlet. The accepted response is one of respect by the opposition as they stand 10 metres away.

There is nothing disrespectful if the opponent chooses to pick up the gauntlet. There is nothing to stop the Wallabies from inching forward or even circling the All Blacks. It would send a message that they were not intimidated.

This response will acknowledge that the Wallabies also expected to be hit hard by an enraged AB’s team. But the clear message would be that they were up for the pain.

In the 2007 WC quarter final France eyeballed the AB’s: “We talked about it three days ago,” France captain Raphael Ibanez told a press conference.

“It was not a provocation but we wanted to show them that we are proud.”

I don’t recommend that we blow kisses to the AB’s a la Phil Kearns or do a Campese on your own try line but I am suggesting a confrontation that has aggression. This is the warrior’s response and there is no disrespect. Only affirmation of your own intent.

With this initial skirmish out of the way the next step would be to hit the All Black’s with everything the first time they have the ball. Hit them with more than one man. Hit them with support. And when the Wallabies have the ball they must get over the advantage line. This needs willing teammates.

I am not so naïve to suggest it will be easy. I am also not discounting that maybe there are structural deficiencies at the club and grassroots level. There is also the question of the inexperienced scrum and absence of a proven number 8.

O’Connor may be too small and Giteau may not be a number 10. We are missing Hynes and Palu. We lack a Daniel Herbert or Tim Horan. But these are matters the Wallabies cannot control.

They can control their own destiny with the players in the squad. They need to confront, commit and control. For eighty minutes. Nothing less will do. And it starts with the Haka.

The Wallabies can start by confronting the Springboks on the 28th of August and the 4th of September. They have not won on the high veldt since 1963. It is time to correct this. The first step.

The September 11 clash against the AB’s at ANZ Stadium will define the Wallabies as either serious contenders or just the third ranked pretenders. The second step to the summit.

The World Cup is next year and can wait. The Wallabies have unfinished business and the next two and a half months, leading up to Tokyo, October 31s ,will be a litmus test for these current Wallabies.

The Australian fans have thrown down the gauntlet to their own team. How will they respond?

Can they come up smelling roses?

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The Crowd Says (78) | Page 1 of Comments

Joe said | August 15th 2010 @ 7:51am | Report comment

Which all blacks call Australia home ?

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- Vinay Verma said | August 15th 2010 @ 9:32am | Report comment
  
  Joe,my error,it should read many “kiwis” call Australia home. I hope that clarifies it for you.
  
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  - jeremy said | August 18th 2010 @ 10:53am | Report comment
    
    Hi Vinay,
    
    Here are the names of some of the kiwis who call Australia home:
    
    Dean Mumm (born in Auckland)
    Quade Cooper (born in Tokoroa)
    Digby Ioane (born in Wellington)
    Robbie Deans (born in Cheviot)
    
    Out of interest, do you apply the self-satisifed, smug label to the above? Just curious.
    
    Reply
- allblackfan said | August 15th 2010 @ 9:33am | Report comment
  
  Brad Thorn, I’d say!!
  
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  - jeremy said | August 18th 2010 @ 2:27pm | Report comment
    
    Brad Thorn was born in New Zealand…
    
    Reply
James D said | August 15th 2010 @ 10:03am | Report comment

Patience is what is required.. this team is building and will click soon.

I hope.

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Moaman said | August 15th 2010 @ 10:25am | Report comment

Fine article VV.I have thought for years that few teams respond to the Haka as they could/should.Opposition teams,as you say,are not obliged to stand by meekly and suck up the challenge without a right of reply.Some teams HAVE gotten a good reply in-without having the wherewithal/game-plan to back it up-and consequently finished a distant 2nd with egg on their collective faces.The Wallabies need to take a leaf out of the ABs own manual-printed in France last autumn and re-released at Eden Park a few long weeks ago.The way the ABs attacked the Boks in defence laid the psychological blueprint for the entire match&perhaps the series.Unless they can find that formula then the Wallabies might experience their very own September 11th at Sydney

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RedsNut said | August 15th 2010 @ 11:07am | Report comment

IMO, the haka should be performed in the sheds, or BEFORE the anthems because it is disrespectful to them.
It was considered “unfair” for Williamson to perform after the anthems, and so is the haka. It is only for the benefit of the ABs and why it has been allowed to continue is beyond me.
So it’s a tradition for them before going into battle – so what! Pump themselves up and supposedly intimidate the opposition. My personal opinion of the haka is one of amusement because it looks like little kids throwing tantrums.

The ABs should honour the national anthems.

End of rant

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- Stash said | August 15th 2010 @ 11:29am | Report comment
  
  Williamson was pulled because the crowd were embarrassed to be involved… it was a sad response and pretty awkward (aside form the original spontaneous rendition).
  
  Both players and audiences enjoy and respect the Haka. New caps stand their with their mouths agape when exposed to this for the first time – I certainly do not think that it is perceived as amusing or child like to them.
  
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  - Uncle Eric said | August 16th 2010 @ 1:57pm | Report comment
    
    Yes the Waltzing Matilda experiment was a total joke, absolute cringe material. I’m not sure which marketing guru at the ARU dreamt it up, but it certainly backfired and set the Wallabies on a downward slide performance wise.
    
    Reply
- Stash said | August 15th 2010 @ 11:40am | Report comment
  
  This Haka by the NZ Maori vs England http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8PcmHqwP7Ow
  
  I would doubt very much that you would have the same attitude if you were standing in front of that!
  
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- IronAwe said | August 15th 2010 @ 9:06pm | Report comment
  
  Your’s is the only tantrum I’m seeing. The Haka is one of the greatest spectacles of rugby, and if it ever does get taken off the field it will be heartbreaking.
  
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Moaman said | August 15th 2010 @ 11:13am | Report comment

Personally I love it-bUT less is more and it has been over-exposed the last few years due to the increased number of games and has thereby lost some of its allure(to me).I would like to see it used selectively…rather like Kapo o panga is-only dusted off for special occasions.Let the crowds vote with their feet Rednuts.In England segments of the crowd try to boo it out;If they react like that-dont do it-i say.

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Vinay Verma said | August 15th 2010 @ 11:38am | Report comment

I believe the Haka is one of the great sporting traditions and spectacles. It defines the warrior in the AB’s. My piece is more about the Wallabies being positive and confident and is in no way disrespectful to the AB’s. But sport is a great leveller and self belief and confidence are so important ,especially at the elite level ,where the difference in ability is so marginal.

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sheek said | August 15th 2010 @ 11:46am | Report comment

Guys,

For the time being the haka is with us, so accept that it’s not going to disappear soon. As Vinay suggests, the best response is simply to demonstrate with body language at the haka, that you aren’t intimidated.

There are a number of ways you can do this without being disrespectful. But the point here, what happens at the haka is largely irrelevant, it’s what happens when the ref blows his whistle to start the game. That’s when things become important.

The haka is like sledging in cricket or trash talking in basketball. It’s a form of intimidation. If any international rugby player is intimidated by the haka, the they’ve already lost. in the same way, they are intimidated by sledging or trash-talking.

No one can offend you without your consent, & it’s equally true no-one can intimidate you without your consent!

I like the haka & I respect it. But if we need to discuss it too much, & how to react to it, then we’re already losing, aren’t we…..?

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- Tragic said | August 15th 2010 @ 12:29pm | Report comment
  
  That’s a fair point sheek. Although Vinay makes a good point about body language and symbollism as represented by the haka and the response to it.
  
  I think we need to stop linking arms and stand hands-by-sides staring at our opposite number, and NOT wearing a flaming tracky top!
  
  You never see the All Blacks wearing tracksuits onto the field prior to the game for the haka and the anthem. It is a pride and show of toughness thing, and if its good enough for them then it should be good enough for us. There’s not many worse ways I can think of to respond to the haka than de-huddling and taking off your tracky top.
  
  As far as symbolism goes its like this: the All Blacks do their dance and then we stop cuddling and take our clothes off. I will let your imagination complete the metaphor – but needless to say it’s been more like a courtship ritual than a war dance.
  
  As Vinnay skilfully put it, the manning-up starts before the kick-off, and the Wallabies should show more respect for their jersey and less respect for the haka. I don’t care how bloody cold it is.
  
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  - sheek said | August 15th 2010 @ 1:19pm | Report comment
    
    Tragic,
    
    The tracksuit ploy worked for MacQueen & his team, because it was innovative & fresh. But it’s no longer relevant.
    
    I actually like the idea of the players already stripped ready to go. If they’re feeling the cold & being uncomfortable, it means they will want to get into the game as quickly as possible.
    
    So many methods have been tried to combat the haka. I suggest simply this – stand in a semi-circle (not hugging), close-up with hands on hips (shows intent) & direct stare (shows not intimidated).
    
    Don’t even hear the haka – focus on your own personal tasks for as soon as the ref blows his whistle.
    
    Reply
    - Tragic said | August 15th 2010 @ 1:46pm | Report comment
      
      Agreed – I think we said pretty much the same thing
      
      No trackies, no huggies.
      
      And Blue-Steel them (we have enough Zoolanders who can’t pass right in the team, so it is only appropriate really)
      
      Reply
- Vinay Verma said | August 15th 2010 @ 12:33pm | Report comment
  
  Thanks,Sheek,this is what I am espousing. This is the first skirmish.There will be retribution and the Wallabies have to be up for it. I do not accept the AB’s or Springboks cannot be beaten by the Wallabies. I understand that by beating the AB’s we don’t suddenly fix the glaring deficiencies at the structural level. The only point I am making is that the Wallabies can beat the AB’s. It is essentially a two horse race. The difference being I believe humans can think better.
  
  Every dynasty comes to an end. In 2001 Laxman,Dravid and co said enough is enough and stopped Waugh’s team at 16. Time to stop the AB’s at 9. And the Boks,at however long it has been since we beat them at altitude.
  
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stillmissit said | August 15th 2010 @ 12:27pm | Report comment

Great article Vinay.

I am with you on standing up to the Haka and it should be done by any team that fancies their chances of beating them. The story that you have to respect the Haka is fine but the best respect is to show that you are not intimidated along the lines of ‘they can do their ‘little dance” then after the whistle we will do ours, all over them.

They will only ban the Haka over my dead body, I love it, it is the opening stanza in a great battle for a result and I would not have it any other way.

Rugby has always been a game of controlled aggression and intimidation. If you are a shrinking violet then you don’t play this game. If you and your mum are constantly worried about getting injured, you don’t play this game. If you get great satisfaction and excitement from the anticipation of beating a team of tough guys with a strong record then there’s a good chance you are the type to play this game.

Rugby is not a game for everyone and that is what makes it special. There are great skills, physical resilience and courage needed to play this game well and that is why it makes men out of boys.

Steve Waugh has many of the attributes we look for in rugby players and most probably would have made a fine half back

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- Vinay Verma said | August 15th 2010 @ 12:43pm | Report comment
  
  stillmissit, thanks for that. I am from the old school and I believe hardship makes you appreciate the other side. There has to be pain and suffering to get to the top.There is no easy way. The impact of the scrum coming together is the boom of the cannon in war. Getting your mates over the advantage line is holding the bridge while your soldiers get across. I am saying “over my dead body”. You look after your teammates and pledge not to take a backward step. Sounds cliched but there is no glory without the guts.
  
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  - stillmissit said | August 15th 2010 @ 1:12pm | Report comment
    
    There is still some value in ‘old school’ ideas. Sometimes youngsters have never been exposed to what was the standard mantra of my day. We Play it Hard and If We Win we celebrate with our opponents and if we lose we drown our sorrows with our victors.
    
    Everyone who plays this game fairly deserves respect, it is a hard task master but a good one.
    
    Reply
sheek said | August 15th 2010 @ 1:22pm | Report comment

Vinay,

Why are we stuck with the hooker throwing into the lineout? Someone will have to vary that one day.

Why not return to 8 man lineouts? The opposition will be forced to come to the party sooner rather than later.

Why can’t players be put in different positions for different ploys? Why be hamstrung by convention?

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- Cattledog said | August 15th 2010 @ 2:06pm | Report comment
  
  G’day Sheek, I know what your getting at but we aren’t really stuck with the hooker throwing into the lineout. It’s a specialist task to hit the spot throw after throw and only comes with years of practice. There’s no reason this couldn’t be any of the forwards but I would contend that most others have their own specialist jobs in the lineout. To me it makes sense to have the hooker throw the ball in and I think that’s why it remains such today.
  
  If a guy who has played hooker throughout his schoolboy rugby and then for some reason his body shape changes, he increases his speed and all of a sudden we have an outstanding loosy, if he retained a magnificent throw (better than the incumbent hooker’s), then there’s no reason why this guy perhaps shouldn’t be the thrower. It would take, I believe, something like this to move away from the convention you are alluding to.
  
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- Vinay Verma said | August 15th 2010 @ 2:49pm | Report comment
  
  sheek,iam in some ways a traditionalistbut often question the wisdom of following blindly. Throwing a ball in straight should not be such an onerous task.There is no reason why the fullback can’t throw it in.As long as it goes the required distance very often to the front catches them napping. The unexpected can be rewarding and if not is always delicious.
  
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Brett McKay said | August 15th 2010 @ 1:50pm | Report comment

Best ever Haka response? Wales at Millenium Stadium in 2008. Haka done, ABs hold their final positions, and see Wales still standing opposite, shoulder to shoulder, unmoved. Jonathan Kaplan senses a stand-off and rolls the ball between the teams. No movement. In the end, Kaplan tells McCaw to retreat his team otherwise the game may never start. Brilliant.

(Postscript: Wales got flogged!!)

Check out the YouTube clip at the bottom of my profile page…..

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- Tragic said | August 15th 2010 @ 2:16pm | Report comment
  
  Yep Brett, as far as sporting theatre goes, one of the best moments ever.
  
  And if Australia had to take their trackies off after something like that well, it just wouldn’t work now, would it?
  
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- Stash said | August 15th 2010 @ 2:38pm | Report comment
  
  Brett,
  
  That was an excellent Haka and a stand-off… even Kaplan looked nervous through the tension.
  
  The Haka does add to the flavor – the dressing room haka, condemned around the world and no-one (in authority) is suggesting that the All Blacks do the haka before the anthems anymore (good on you for that resolve ABs).
  
  The Wallabies running tackle bag practice during the haka – very ill fated and bad idea.
  
  Turning your back – wrong. Advancing slowly towards them to meet the haka – probably the better idea if you want to stand up against it.
  
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- ThelmaWrites said | August 15th 2010 @ 8:03pm | Report comment
  
  Brett
  
  Just to acknowledge my error in a post to you in Vinay’s piece on the Kookaburras’ Champions Trophy win. I mistook SKW for Steve Waugh. I came across my scrapbook on Steve yesterday and found out that Steve is SRW and the SKW you had referred to was Warnie, who famously differed with Buchanan.
  
  My apologies.
  
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- BennO said | August 15th 2010 @ 9:24pm | Report comment
  
  I loved that response. It’s one I watch every so often on youtube. I wish the aussies would do something along those lines. Of course, they’d have to realise as Wales probably know now, that there’s a lot more to the match than a great stand up to the haka!
  
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