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Congratulations to the All Blacks for their comprehensive win over the Wallabies, sealing the world record by winning 37-10.
Unfortunately it wasn’t the commanding win to leave opponents without hope. For 60 minutes the Wallabies competed hard and asked questions of the rejuvenated All Blacks.
In doing so they found chinks in the armour of the current crop.
The defence in the centre of the park is unable to stop a determined and direct assault. Initially this was seen against Argentina and then again during Bledisloe 3, where significant yards were found up the centre by a team undertaking a committed approach.
In the backline, the New Zealand centre pairing lacked the slick hands to move the ball around the rush defence. Even late into the game Australia’s rush defence was restricting the width of game that New Zealand normally employ.
With the ball movement restricted, it enabled the larger Australian forward pack to man up and man-handle their opponents.
With no momentum and behind the gain line, Beauden Barrett looked bereft of ideas. His lack of long passing and restricted kicking became a feature until his replacement early in the second half.
The presence of Dane Coles on the wing was shown as another possible weakness. In the attritional game played the lack of another large body doing the grunt work could only have contributed to the gain line issues above.
Further, he was ineffective at kick chase and contesting – a previous strength when Kieran Read was in that role.
In the end, no matter what small weaknesses were seen, the efficiency of the All Black system of play was the telling difference and a comfortable win resulted.
For the Wallabies the impact and directness of the forward pack was the biggest positive. The set piece also showed improvement, and the impact of Rob Simmons off the bench to strengthen this was also a pleasant experience.
In the backs, Nick Phipps and Bernard Foley had their best game of the year with ball in hand. Although it is telling that even with forwards dominance and front foot ball the back line was unable to score a try. Foley’s kicking woes were also on show from both general play and the tee.
The bench was resonably well used, with good contributions. The replacement of Speight with Cooper was surprising, as Hodge was already in trouble by that time and should have been replaced instead.
The biggest on-field negative for the Wallabies was the continued belief that three points would achieve anything against the All Blacks. Not that this thinking is limited to the Wallabies, with the Springboks and Northern teams consistent in this failing.
As we move into the Spring tours, questions remain over the Wallabies system of play. This is the tenth game of the Wallabies campaign, but only the first time this year that the Michael Cheika game plan has come together into a coherent whole. Is this the dawn? Or another false start?
In my mind the coming European tour is going to be the final judgement for Cheika. Will the forwards centric approach work against the Northern Hemesphere teams? Is the game style repeatable against top level opponents week after week? Will the intensity lead to injuries? Will the backline ever fire?
What are your thoughts?
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.