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It is clear from the recent All Black demolition that Australia needs to try something a little different in order to salvage some pride from the third Bledisloe Test.
The next time gold meets black, Bernard Foley will most likely be starting fly-half, with his housemate Nick Phipps at 9.
The Wallabies are currently in a great position to try something a little left of centre. They should look to address their weakest area – the go forward.
The Wallabies aren’t effectively taking the ball into contact. The only player that did drag defenders along with his ball carries was the smallest one out there – the captain, who has cool hair.
The lack of go forward from our second-rowers and thier overall inefficiency around the park far outweighed their supposed contribution at lineout time.
Take Sam Carter: a real bargain buy at Super Rugby level, but he dropped the ball at important moments, one leading to a turnover and subsequent try, a possible 14-point turnaround. Fans were no longer screaming at the missed head-high tackle on Israel Folau, but at the quality of hands on show from national players resembling a digital clock.
Carter’s previous Test stats have been 10 runs for 15 metres, and 9 runs for 15 metres. This was praised in the media. I’m no mathematics teacher but basic calculations suggest he would make more metres per run if he just caught the ball and lay down.
It is hard to be critical of Rob Simmons, even if his yellow card was costly. But other than some solid tackles and allowing Adam Ashley-Cooper to catch the re-starts, it’s also hard to be positive.
In attack, the game seriously slows down when either of these two tall timbers lumber into motion. We need more from these players than securing already secured rucks.
Meanwhile, Brodie Retallick and Sam Whitelock dominated well beyond their set piece specialties, pilfering balls, making big hits and throwing passes with precision.
The biggest difference between New Zealand and Australian teams is the Kiwi ability of all players from 1 to 15 to play ball-in-hand rugby. Keven Mealamu can actually play at 10, he’s just waiting for his 200th cap.
One idea is to move several of our keen and underused blindside flankers into the second row spot. Think Scotty Fardy, multiplied by three.
Envisage Fardy, Scott Higginbotham and Ben McCalman all playing at once. These guys are all solid rugby players – they catch, pass, fend, and jump at lineouts. Above all when these guys run, their teammates hit a ruck that is ahead of where they caught the ball. They go forward.
What would the cost be? How many lineouts are now won by the smallest of margins, where height is a factor? Lineouts look more like they are being won by out-manoeuvring the position of the lifters. Can we not be lifting Hooper with the same success? Many times on the opposition throw, we don’t even contest.
Crazier ideas have found success. Jim Williams and Radike Samo made excellent back-rowers after feeling ostracised on the wing. Israel Folua changed entire football codes. Twice.
Essentially, the back row of three could become a back row of five.
Chose four from Higginbotham, Fardy, McCalman, Wycliff Palu and Will Skelton to accompany Michael Hooper. Or play Hooper and Matt Hodgson together. Hodgson’s little black book contains only two rugby secrets – pilfer in defence, go forward in attack. He actually swiped it from Richie McCaw’s hotel and hasn’t had to add a thing.
Maybe these changes aren’t required for South Africa, and we can scrape by doing what we’ve been doing.
But I’m over owing beers to mates from across the ditch, and seeing a whole lot of blindside mongrel sit on the bench. It’s time for some creativity.
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.