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Another Bledisloe, another embarrassment for the Wallabies. Their scoreless defeat to the All Blacks failed to meet even the most pessimistic Australian expectations.
There is a very serious problem at the heart of Australian rugby, and to call it stupidity or incompetence would be far too kind. The Wallabies suffer from a textbook case of clichéd insanity, forever repeating the same mistakes while expecting different results.
Nowhere is this more obvious than in their kicking game. These players simply do not understand the importance of possession. Why else would they be so keen to boot the ball downfield at every conceivable opportunity?
Kicking should either be done tactically or as a last resort. There is little to be gained from aimlessly sending the ball skyward or delivering it straight to the opposition, particularly when the other team’s fullback is named Israel Dagg.
Even when an Australian breaches the defensive line, his first instinct is almost inevitably to use the boot. On several occasions last night, marauding Wallaby players who were in behind the defence forfeited possession with low percentage kicks instead of passing the ball or taking a tackle.
This mysterious kicking fetish has been an unwelcome part of the Wallaby game for years now. It has become so mind-numbingly obvious that even the most casual spectators have been known to rave at the television screen in frustration.
Robbie Deans must be equally frustrated. At halftime last night, the Wallabies were explicitly told by their coaching staff to cut down on the aimless kicking. The second half provided no evidence whatsoever that they had listened.
That is the most disappointing thing about this Australian team. The fans could handle it if their players simply lost to a better side, having done everything in their power to improve and reach their potential.
But when those players never learn, and continue to make the same basic errors, it is much harder for their supporters to swallow an embarrassing defeat.
Something has to change. Australian rugby does not have the depth for a player clean-out, so Robbie Deans is the man under pressure. If he must leave in order to shake things up then so be it.
But fixing the Wallabies’ problems will never be as simple as switching coaches. Nothing will improve until the players learn to listen, because only then will they stop repeating the same old mistakes.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.