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Under the radar in the third Test
John new author
Roar Rookie
24th June, 2014
4
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Stats' enough! A statistical assessment of Big Willie Style. (AAP Image/Daniel Munoz)
John new author
Roar Rookie
24th June, 2014
4

The Roar has been swamped with articles covering the talking points from the Wallabies third Test against the French.

Scott Allen has written a great summary article discussing the win, referring to the Wallabies chances against the All Blacks.

In this article I want to change tack and focus instead on some talking points from the game, ones that I haven’t seen discussed extensively on The Roar but which I found very interesting.

1. Re-evaluating how we think about Will Skelton
When Will Skelton took the ball to the line and stepped laterally to draw two players and put Israel Folau threw a gap, I think there was a collective wow from most Wallabies fans. But I couldn’t stop thinking in relation to all Will’s big highlight moments (the maul involvement, the barnstorming try, the cleanout, and the pass) – could James Horwill do that?

Could James have that impact? I am not so sure. But I’m also not sure whether long term we will see Will Skelton in the locks – could Will be a big barnstorming eight part of a back row which in the future could include Mike Hooper, Luke Jones and Skelton? With Rob Simmons and Sam Carter showing potential in the second row, this gives the Wallabies three legitimate targets.

2. Rob Simmons calling all lineout ball to himself
Successfully in the most part, but the commentators definitely picked up on the French realising that Simmons was taking this ploy, and it cost the Wallabies a possession deep in attack in the French 22. The better option may have been to throw sharp and direct to Skelton.

3. Tatafu Polota Nau
He had another strong game and looks to be going from strength to strength. He backed up after a great game last week and his lineout throwing was once again strong. possibly to the ire of some of his regular critics on The Roar.

4. Scott Sio
Sio was immense off the bench in his workrate and ball carrying. He looked like a bench player who really wants to get off the bench and into the run on team. Provided great impact for the Wallabies and took his opportunities.

5. The end of the match
The last twenty minutes of the game (when the bench was largely rolled on) showed a strong drop off in structure especially at the breakdown. While Nick Phipps was caught a number of times at the breakdown, it can be blamed on the skip pass. However, it can also be argued there was not enough protection at the breakdown. The Wallabies bench needs to be better.

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6. Kurtley Beale
Beale showed again that he offers more in attack, and less in defence, than Matt Toomua. He, along with Sio, provides great impact off the bench.

Generally, the team continues to develop but will need to find another gear to Test the experience of the All Blacks in Sydney. The All Blacks have shown themselves to be the masters of absorbing points and pressure and then retaliating with scores of their own.

Particularly worrying for Ewen McKenzie will be the aimless kicking of the Wallabies at times which will have the counter-attacking merchants in the All Blacks licking their lips.

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