It’s time to throw caution to the wind, Robbie
Columnist By David Lord, 20 Oct 2012 David Lord is a Roar Expert
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- All Blacks, robbie deans, Rugby Union, wallabies
Robbie Deans could be gone from the Wallabies at the end of the 2012 Rugby Championship (AP Photo/Christophe Ena)
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Realistically, the All Blacks are a 15 point better side than the Wallabies for tonight’s clash at Suncorp.
Robbie Deans, give ‘em hell with eight forwards hitting every ruck and maul like men possessed, and seven backs running the ball for 80 minutes, committing themselves to all-out attack.
Every Wallaby supporter would be delighted to see their team stand up and be counted. Even losing would be saluted if the Wallabies gave this Test an almighty crack.
There’s nothing to lose.
The All Blacks are superior in just about every department, honed by 16 sucessive international victories.
The Wallabies have won one on the trot, and a gutsy win at that in Rosario a fortnight ago.
And the reason was Kurtley Beale.
Cut him loose tonight, Robbie, let him strut his own stuff that makes him one of international rugby’s most exciting players.
Let Beale create the time and space for centres Pat McCabe and Ben Tapuai to go well over the advantage line and feed wingers Adam Ashley-Cooper and Nick Cummins, with Mike Harris chiming in from the back.
Tries, let’s have some five-pointers – the only way to beat the men-in-black.
My sole concern is Deans has gone for a five forwards, two backs, bench. If any of the starting backs cop an injury, and the way things have been going in that’s on the cards, then all-out attack could be limited.
Again what the hell. Just keep going.
A special night for long-serving lock Nathan Sharpe, making his final appearance on home soil in Brisbane where he debuted for the Queensland Reds 15 seasons ago.
It’s fitting he’s leading his country against the undisputed best lineup in the world in front of a full house.
Of the 39 Wallabies who have worn the coveted gold jersey in 11 Tests this campaign, the 34-year-old Sharpe is the only Wallaby to start in all 11.
His resilience is remarkable, his dedication to the Wallaby cause undeniable.
A win tonight in front of home fans would be the ultimate farewell.
So throw caution to the wind Robbie.
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October 20th 2012 @ 3:11am
krisl said | October 20th 2012 @ 3:11am | Report comment
lets hope for a good test……. unfortunately for beale, he is playing rugby not tennis, and he is facing the best 10 in the world. Allblacks 35 Wallabies 9. Timani to be the man of the match…….
October 20th 2012 @ 6:13am
The Grafter said | October 20th 2012 @ 6:13am | Report comment
Timani will have to have a blinder with his team only scoring 3 penalties (or drop kicks).
NZ by 20 +
October 20th 2012 @ 9:25am
Mantis said | October 20th 2012 @ 9:25am | Report comment
It would have to be a shocking game for Timani to get man of the match. He is close to the most overrated player we have
October 20th 2012 @ 4:58am
tomobillsly said | October 20th 2012 @ 4:58am | Report comment
the all blacks are on the top of their game, the wallabies are in a huge slump. i’m fairly confident the all blacks are going to destroy the wallabies, with a superior foward pack and an unparalleled back line.
all blacks by a large margin.
October 20th 2012 @ 6:02am
richard said | October 20th 2012 @ 6:02am | Report comment
A 15 point better side…. a bit more than that, I think.
October 20th 2012 @ 6:30am
Bazza all black supporter said | October 20th 2012 @ 6:30am | Report comment
But we do want the wb s to give it a decent wack, give the darkness a challenge.
The trouble is , the Darkness are super fit and that last 20 mins will show…
Bit sick of lauding the close win in Argentina, by the Darkness standards, it was a loss…
darkness by 20 points methinks..
October 20th 2012 @ 6:32am
Shungmao said | October 20th 2012 @ 6:32am | Report comment
Go the wallabies!
October 20th 2012 @ 7:01am
Steve said | October 20th 2012 @ 7:01am | Report comment
I actually think there is too much praising of this All Black team, they are good no doubt and find a way to win, but they were given a shock by Ireland and Argentina South Africa dominated early in both games but couldn’t keep the pressure up and Australia were their own worst enemy constantly kicking the ball back to them after one phase.
New Zealand were there for the taking in Sydney but Wallabies did not have a go in attack preferring to wait for the Blacks to do something and off course they eventually did. I think all the championship teams matched them in the forwards except with offloading particularly Read.
They are good but beatable, but to win the Wallabies need to back themselves and have a go, who knows what can happen if they do.
October 20th 2012 @ 8:29am
mace 22 said | October 20th 2012 @ 8:29am | Report comment
Please don’t tell me your one of these people that subscribes to the theory that the all blacks are good because everybody else is shee ite. Where does this all blacks team were there for the taking in sydney come from. They had just beat ireland 60 to zip, after coming back from the brink of defeat in the second. This should’ve told everyone about the quality of this side. Remember A 1 point win one weekend to a 60 point win the next. Same with argentina and south africa run them reasonably close one game next game become the all blacks bee atches. No they weren’t there for the taking. So they deserve all the praise they are getting at the moment, they are a vey good team.But a great team not yet.
October 20th 2012 @ 9:41am
richard said | October 20th 2012 @ 9:41am | Report comment
If the ab’s were given a shock by Argentina, who they still beat by 16 points, and still beat Ireland, who they lead from about the 45th min onwards, and never conceded the lead, where does that leave your team; considering your very flaky wins over the welsh – in my view the welsh were better than you in two of the three tests.
On the Sydney test, you have a rather skewed view of it. For all that the score was close, your team was never realistically in it, it was the poor finishing of the ab’s – think the dagg break, and then a pass to no-one as one glaring example – that kept you in the game.
As for the ab’s being “good but beatable”, what does that make the wb’s – woeful and eminently beatable?
October 20th 2012 @ 7:04am
Riccardo said | October 20th 2012 @ 7:04am | Report comment
The Wallabies pride will see them compete for 20 minutes in the first half and perhaps 15 in the second. They will bring mongrel, no doubt.
However a combination of factors will count against them in this fixture:
1) AAC has rightly pointed out that injuries have prevented the establishment of sound combinations.
2) The disruption of the back-row. As usual this contest will largely be determined by the battle at the breakdown. I’m not convinced Palu will be able to last more than 20 minutes.
3) If Joubert allows the game to flow, the pace the All Blacks will play at once they get past the initial onslaught will be too much for the Wallabies. Phipps and Beale are about to be tested, in their channel and going backwards.
This won’t be a cricket score as some of my erstwhile countrymen are predicting. The Wallabies have decent defensive systems and let’s not forget where we’re playing.
37 – 19 to the Blackness.
October 20th 2012 @ 7:47am
Uncle Argyle said | October 20th 2012 @ 7:47am | Report comment
Morning Riccardo,
some very good points you raise. Whilst AAC is quite right about settled combinations the team can play some really basic rugby that does not require established combinations. The Garryowen, anyone can chase a ball, although we havn’t previously tonight might be a good start. It does not combination to compete at that however limited the tactic.
If Joubert does have a whislte fest and it falls Australia’s way, Mike Harris can get points off a boot. Your right about Palu being unfit but I think we’ll see more than 20, unless he gets injured.
Whilst New Zealand are a better rugby side they have been tested by the Argentine and the Irish who each chose to contest the collision, compete and confront the world champions. Whilst logic determines a sound win for the All Blacks will be on the back page tomorrow, history has shown us that on occaision the contender steps up in adversity and delivers a stunning blow.
I am praying for such a game. To quote the 1978 Wallabies Manager who was interviewed by The Australian this week, “You just need to get on with it.” and they did and won a famous match.
So boys “Get on with it.”
October 20th 2012 @ 8:19am
Riccardo said | October 20th 2012 @ 8:19am | Report comment
Good counter argument mate.
Fundamental rugby will certainly provide the platform.
Harris’ ability with the boot is a given. It will be interesting to see how he handles skyscrapers a metre outside the 22 with a couple of rampant All Blacks bearing down on him. Is he the answer at this level?
Beale’s getting some big raps considering his 5 minute tenancy. While I applaud his diversity and go forward so far he is yet to be tested. I’m sure he is aware his and Phipps’ channel will be targeted.
I guess that’s why they call them Tests though Uncle. Questions posed to be answered by endeavour.
Good luck. Enjoy your barbie and have a glass or 6 of Syrah for me
October 20th 2012 @ 8:30am
Uncle Argyle said | October 20th 2012 @ 8:30am | Report comment
Cheers mate I will.
Yes there are no magic wands Australia should be looking for. Its just going to take plain hard work and grit.
It will be particularly tough for me at home with 400grams of prime Liverpool Plains beef on the plate done medium rare and a bottle of Penfolds Shiraz Bin 28 on the side. Tough stuff indeed.
Enjoy the game
October 20th 2012 @ 9:26am
ohtani's jacket, Wallabies supporter said | October 20th 2012 @ 9:26am | Report comment
We’ve been hearing about 1978 for the past 15 Bledisloe tests. People even forget the second half happened in Brisbane last year and act as though it was 1978. Enough with1978 already!!
October 20th 2012 @ 9:42am
Uncle Argyle said | October 20th 2012 @ 9:42am | Report comment
Sorry mate, when your clutching at straws, like we are, we need to clutch onto somthing. If you read The Australian today the 78 test, Tony Shaw and Greg Cornelson feature. I guess its embedded in Wallaby psyche now. In context to the second half last year, I wonder if the All Blacks will stand off side at the breakdown and enter the ensuing breakdown from an offside position this year? It was a tactic that nearly won them the match last year?
Have you been eating too much wasabe latley?
October 20th 2012 @ 10:03am
ohtani's jacket, Wallabies supporter said | October 20th 2012 @ 10:03am | Report comment
I wonder if the Wallabies will dive on top of the tackled player after each tackle. In Rosario they were doing it from the Argentine side of the ruck. I swear it looks like they’re doing belly flops.
October 20th 2012 @ 10:09am
Uncle Argyle said | October 20th 2012 @ 10:09am | Report comment
Probably not becuase the pace of the game will be too quick tonight. Plus Benn Robinson looks awful in a one-piece.
October 20th 2012 @ 1:57pm
Sage said | October 20th 2012 @ 1:57pm | Report comment
You mean dive over Sir Ritchie to then flop on the tackled player. Yeah, probably
October 20th 2012 @ 7:41am
M.O.C. said | October 20th 2012 @ 7:41am | Report comment
“Let Beale create the time and space for centres Pat McCabe and Ben Tapuai to go well over the advantage line and feed wingers Adam Ashley-Cooper and Nick Cummins, with Mike Harris chiming in from the back” – Thank-you Captain Obvious!
If the Wallabies find this new bit of coaching strategy new and unique, I think we have just discovered why they have been not playing so well recently.
October 20th 2012 @ 8:22am
Rugby Tragic said | October 20th 2012 @ 8:22am | Report comment
Yes M.O.C, and I guess the All Blacks are just going to let that happen? .. err don’t think so. In my opinion, the only thing that will make this game close is any complacency or an over confidence in the AB camp – everything I have read this week suggests that will not happen.
I was at the game in at Eden Park in 1978… hmmmm with the Wallaby side suffering a huge injury toll and their coach in hospital from a heart attack (forgot his name), there was no way that ‘that 2nd string’ Wallaby side could win.
I ‘gave my ticket to my Australian wife to sit next to a mate (a Kiwi of Asian heritage in the No 4 stand where I had season tickets. Yours truly sat on the concrete terraces with a few other ‘alcohol impaired’ friends. The AB’s had taken out the series by winning the first two tests, one a close encounter. That bearded man Greg Cornelson, who claimed he was ‘just fortunate’ to be in the right place at the right time scored 4 tries in that ’78 encounter! … FOUR tries against the All Blacks??? I believe still a record … The Wallabies won that game 30-16… not possible before the match but I had an extremely happy missus after the match!
Tonight, I take that same lady to Suncorp and as always in rugby matches between the AB’s and Wallabies, she will wear gold and I will wear black. There are similarities prematch between 1978 and 2012. Unfortunately, I believe that is where it ends. I learnt from that 1978 match in particular, and realise that the wounded Wallaby is a more dangerous beast.
However, fast forward, I do not believe the AB’s in 2012 will be complacent, I do not believe the crowd influence which will be predominantly Wallaby supporters (but not by a helluva lot!), will have a major influence (that will be taken away by the AB’s – a bit cocky I know!), but I do believe the game will be hard fought for 50 – 60 mins, I do believe that the Wallabies will have a decent crack in the forwards with such a huge pack, I do believe that the Wallaby backs will have a crack as well, but I believe that the Wallaby resistance will be broken eventually and the regrettable difference in class between the warriors on the ground wearing different colours will become evident.
While it is possible (but not probable) to end up with egg on my face, I believe that game will be won comfortably by the AB’s but as I have gotten older (a lot older!) what I would like to see is a good and hard fought contest. I do not think I will be let down on that front. What I do NOT want to see is a scoreline blown out to not reflect the purpose and effort that I know the Wallabies will put in.
If the inconceivable happens, like in July 2011, I will accept the gentle and not so gentle ribbing from my Aussie friends but more than that, I will have an even greater respect for the written off Wallabies and their ‘never say die attitude’
October 20th 2012 @ 11:39am
Machiavelli said | October 20th 2012 @ 11:39am | Report comment
Well said RT. Sums it up in a nutshell. Go Wallabies!!
October 20th 2012 @ 2:10pm
Rugby Tragic said | October 20th 2012 @ 2:10pm | Report comment
Onya mate, enjoy the game!
October 20th 2012 @ 7:42am
Sherry said | October 20th 2012 @ 7:42am | Report comment
Here’s my take on the (arbitrarily assigned) talent points difference of tonight’s ABs against their opposite number in the Wallabies.
Note – B stands for better.
Israel Dagg – 8 points better than Harris (as a ball runner)
Cory Jane – 5 B
Conrad Smith – 7 B
Ma’a Nonu – 6 B
Hosea Gear – 5 B
Daniel Carter – 5 B
Aaron Smith – 8 B
Kieran Read – 7 B
Richie McCaw – 7 B
Liam Messam – 6 B
Sam Whitelock – 4 B
Brodie Retallick – 4 B
Charlie Faumuina – 4 B
Keven Mealamu – 3 B
Tony Woodcock – 5 B
Carter as a place kicker – 2 points better than Harris as a place kicker.
That makes the ABs 84 talent points better collectively according to my reckoning. I’m going to assign a quarter of a game point to each of my talent points which comes to 21 points. So that’s my prediction – ABs by 21 points tonight.
October 20th 2012 @ 7:45am
M.O.C. said | October 20th 2012 @ 7:45am | Report comment
This may be the most sensible post ever. I now plan to attach randomly assigned points to everything that happens to me today and let my family and friends try to figure out what the hell I am talking about
October 20th 2012 @ 8:22am
Riccardo said | October 20th 2012 @ 8:22am | Report comment
Pretty sharp mate.
October 20th 2012 @ 10:33am
peterlala said | October 20th 2012 @ 10:33am | Report comment
Sherry, that’s so smart.
October 20th 2012 @ 1:44pm
colvin said | October 20th 2012 @ 1:44pm | Report comment
Well, I don’t know about 5B or 84B. But what I do know is that you would have to say the ABs are more than 15 points the better side. This is the ABs at the top of their game against let’s be honest, Wallabies B.
Under most circumstances you would expect the ABs to put on a cricket score given the difference in experience and yes talent. But I don’t think it will be a cricket score. It’s 22 against 22, which gives both teams a chance. Who would have thought France would nearly beat the ABs in the WC final last year.The WBs will be fighting for their lives. It’s at Brisbane where the WBs seem to each grow another leg. It’s Sharpe’s last test in Australia. The WBs will be ready after having battled through disruption all year.
But I do think the ABs will win by a big score. They will get 2 or three tries towards the end of the first half and repeat that towards the end of the second half. Carter will keep the score ticking over by taking all the penalty kicks at goal available.
The WBs will also take all their kicks at goal (having learnt a lesson on this) and will score a try towards the end of the match.
But I’m afraid the score will be in the vicinity of 43-15 to the ABs.
October 20th 2012 @ 7:49am
katzilla said | October 20th 2012 @ 7:49am | Report comment
Good old Burtley, I knew he’d come right.
Looking for him to be a shining light in an otherwise outclassed display tonight.
American International Group to beat Qantas by 22
October 20th 2012 @ 8:40am
mace 22 said | October 20th 2012 @ 8:40am | Report comment
That wasn’t very nice what you wrote in the last sentence. American International Group by at least 40.
October 20th 2012 @ 9:38am
crip said | October 20th 2012 @ 9:38am | Report comment
Haven’t they already won by $20 million?
October 20th 2012 @ 1:49pm
Sage said | October 20th 2012 @ 1:49pm | Report comment
Ignore it Mace or it’s gonna stick. Would you prefer AIG Blacks. That has a ceratin ring to it
October 20th 2012 @ 2:34pm
Bazza All Black Supporter said | October 20th 2012 @ 2:34pm | Report comment
I prefer the moniker the Darkness – as they envelope your team, obfuscate infringements from the ref and are the stuff of nightmares!!