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After the Australian Under 20s side 46-13 defeat at the hands of the South African juniors it is clear that something has to change in Australian rugby.
The South African’s comprehensively dominated the scrum and their brute power was far superior in every facet of the match. The scrum dominance shows that the ARU’s coaching of scrummaging is way off-target.
Under age scrummaging laws are pretty similar per country when you get above under 16s so what is the ARU doing in the coaching directives and courses to develop potential props?
It all starts from the roots, rather than working on it at a more specialised elite level, but they are still being taught how to scrummage at national senior level. Props are maturing earlier now compared to previously and pathways need to evolve to reflect this.
The ARU are keen to throw money at certain players and you know who they are, particularly in the backs, however with a certain percentage of income spent on salaries, as a result of the bargaining agreement with the Rugby Union Players Association (another topic for another day), the money needs to be more evenly spread across positions rather than splashing out for big names in the backs.
Just from looking through the transfers lists on various sites these are the Australian forwards that have signed for overseas teams in recent years or about to head over, with few likely to ever return:
Ben Mowen
Sekope Kepu
Sitaleki Timani
Hugh Pyle
George Smith (yes he went in 2011 but did stints in Japan that allowed for loan deals in Australia if approved)
Kane Douglas
Leon Power
Dan Palmer
Anthony Hegarty
Peter Kimlin
Salesi Ma’afu
Lachlan McCaffery
Damien Fitzpatrick
John Ulugia
Jordan Smiler
Sam Wykes
Scott Higginbotham
James Horwill
Wycliff Palu
Dayna Edwards
Ben Hand
Paul Alo Emile
I am sure there are probably a few more that I have missed or haven’t announced their departure yet.
I know a lot of these players aren’t current Wallabies and are not on ARU contracts but that is half the problem. These are the players that the ARU should be developing into future Wallabies. The ARU has to do something to ensure that the depth of Australian forwards is enhanced, not compromised.
People complain about certain selections in the pack but often there is no one better to select. When Joe Schmidt took over as Ireland coach he stated that one of his primary aims was to develop a wider squad of players that were able to slot in when an injury occurs with little impact on the side. This strategy replicates the methods he used quite successfully during his time at Leinster and appears to be working in Ireland as well.
When Cian Healy injured his hamstring playing for Leinster Jack McGrath was able to fill in and although he is a slightly different player, his performances have been stellar to say the least. The same can be said for the numerous players who have covered for Séan O’Brien in the back row. This is the sort of depth that Wallaby coach Michael Cheika desperately needs to succeed in the long term.
It is vital that the ARU ensures that young players are developed into Test-quality players rather than allowing them to drift off overseas at the age of 24 or 25 because they aren’t getting a look in for a Gold jumper. Players are accused of giving up a potential shot at a Test shirt but you can’t blame them when they aren’t valued and have a very shot space of time to maximise their rugby-related earnings.
Out of the departing Australians, the majority won’t be on big money contracts but it is more than what they were or are getting in Australia. I know Kane Douglas isn’t on big money at Leinster and they only have a limited amount of overseas contracts to fill.
A scrum school was mooted many years ago but it should be a finishing school not a place to be taught from scratch. Greg Feek the Ireland scrum coach has a large number of players to work with not because he has developed multiple Test-quality props from scratch but because the provincial development systems are ensuring that when they get to him, he only has to complete their development.
Over to you, Mr Pulver.
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.