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After last weekend’s debacle in Auckland, Wallabies supporters have had much to ponder. The All Blacks were outstanding to be sure, however the Wallaby effort was unacceptable on many levels.
Australian rugby is one big roller coaster ride for fans and has been for over 10 years. Only in Australia do we see one of our teams capture the Super Rugby title, and then three weeks later suffer a record loss.
Of course Super and International Rugby are two different beasts. On the 10-year roller coaster the Wallabies haven’t had a strong forward pack. They’ve produced some good performances but generally have never dominated the All Blacks, Boks or England.
They have provided just enough ball for the backs to carry the load.
Australian rugby has always been obsessed by the backline. No doubt we have produced some wonderful players which is recognised in the game globally. But we have reached a point where producing talented backs is simply not enough.
The shift in attitude and approach must be geared towards producing forwards. This is a given you might ask, stating the obvious you might say, yes to both but the penny has to drop now.
The game isn’t producing the quality forwards with the required strength, skill, toughness and athleticism to dominate any of the top five nations at International level. Our Super teams can compete up front but again, two different games.
Australian rugby in my view need to think laterally about how they identify and develop the right talent. I look at the lack of depth in our second row stocks. We need athletes not plodders.
The game needs to target sports such as AFL, basketball and even rowing to identify these athletes. Not all the rising ruckmen are going to play at the elite level, ditto basketball power forwards / centres.
I’m not proclaiming this to be the answer however it can form part of the solution in talent identification and unearthing the next Brodie Retallick or Sam Whitelock. Once this talent is identified I’d love to see them join a tight five academy headed up by some quality forward coaches.
This would double as the scrum school many of us have been calling for years. A guy like Topo Rodriguez would take charge of the front row talent. Get them packing scrums until there blue in the face, likewise have them living in the weights room.
These young talents would eat, sleep and breath the game. The training would be intense, tough and provide the players with the skill sets required to take the next step up to Club / NRC / Super level.
Now of course this kind of project must also coincide with a renewed grass roots focus. Australian rugby requires a bottom up approach first and foremost.
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.