As we review the Australian national rugby team for the year so far there have been improvements, but there are still glaring deficiencies in the Wallaby game.
Robbie Deans came into the Australian head coaching position with an enviable reputation and resume. A former All Black himself – his coaching pedigree began when he led the Canterbury Provincial team to the championship in 1997. Taking over from Wayne Smith at the Super franchise of the Crusaders, Deans would cement his reputation as arguably the world’s finest domestic coach by taking Canterbury to five Super rugby titles.
Taking over from John Connolly, the straight-talking New Zealander did not have as uphill a battle as many first thought. “Knuckles” Connolly had made no illusions that the Wallaby team needed changes, foremost in the pack – although the magic he had worked with Queensland, Stade Francais and Bath – was not always apparent with Australia.
The defeat to England in the 2007 World Cup emphasised what many thought was a failed reign. Whatever the opinion, it was a mixed period for Australia, only defeating the All Blacks once, but inflicting a 49-0 drubbing of South Africa.
Now that the Wallabies have completed their Tri-Nations campaign, it is easy to reflect on the positives of Australian Rugby – as well as their glaring Achilles heel.
In the mid-eighties, Australian rugby became a world power; first with an impressive Grand Slam win in 1984, and then with their first series win on New Zealand soil in 1986. It was the emergence of the Ella brothers that signalled what many believe is Australia’s traditional forte – running rugby.
Deans was to bring back the free-styling attack back to Australian rugby while ensuring continued improvement in the tight and blooding fresh talent in the absence of stalwarts Stephen Larkham, Chris Latham and George Gregan – although many thought the later outstayed his administration as Wallaby inside half.
This new talent has become apparent. Working under the traditional New Zealand system of second five-eighth, Berrick Barnes has become an influential figure in the framework – his presence sorely missed in Australia’s last two Test matches. Peter Hynes, has come from nowhere to be the Wallabies most dangerous three-quarter. Ryan Cross will be the national outside centre sooner rather than later – while abrasive lock James Horwill is already being touted as a future Australian captain.
When Dean’s first five matches included the scalps of Ireland, France, South Africa and New Zealand, it seemed as if the man named “Dingo” had indeed put the Wallabies on top of the world pecking order. In attack, the Australians had quickly grasped the intuition of punishing opposition mistake and quick counter attack play – a la the Crusaders. In nine games this season they scored a solid and steady 24 tries.
But it then came crashing down. Despite breaking the trend with a historic victory in South Africa, two of the heaviest defeats in Australian Test rugby history were suffered at the hands of the All Blacks in Eden Park and then Ellis Park. To say that the Wallabies were outplayed is a fact; but another harsh reality showed that they cannot compete with other tier-one nations whom play to full potential.
Whilst Australian rugby supporters will argue this last point, the All Blacks were down and seemingly out in Brisbane playing far below their par – but the Australians could not finish the job. It is this mental character that won the Wallabies previous such games against their mightiest foe. No matter how powerful previous New Zealand teams have been, the Wallabies have always believed they can win. This belief appears to have deserted the “scrappers” of world rugby.
Defensively, Deans made a point that he would alter the Wallabies defensive systems; with John Muggleton a casualty of the new coaching regime. While modern rugby history shows that all teams struggle when changing such structures – what happened to “if it isn’t broke, why fix it”. The old Wallaby almost league style of defence was unmatched in world rugby, but the most glaring hole in 2008 was in the midfield defensive channel. Conceding 21 tries in six Tri-Nations matches is a viable concern. Has this season seen the beginning of the end for Stirling Mortlock?
Last, but not least, the Australian forwards. The great consistency of the Wallaby pack – their aerial attack, seemed to desert them in key games. There is no issue with depth or ability, but there is no Australian hooker dominating the mix. The loose forwards have had similar issues, although there must be grave concern now that Rocky Elsom is effectively departing the national set-up. Take the first choice Wallaby backrow out and there is not much to speak off, without any disrespect to Phil Waugh – but he had a poor international season.
The Australian scrum is still maligned and deservedly so. In matches between South Africa and New Zealand there were a total of 60 scrums, with eight resets and eight collapses. Matches involving Australia saw a total of exactly 100 scrums, with an atrocious 40 resets and 65 collapses. I do not wish to disrespect any man who has represented his country, but Al Baxter and Matt Dunning are far from international class props. With the ARU tinkering with eligibility and representation rules, maybe a change to allow foreign props could allow the Wallabies to attempt to contest a scrum?
Beware the world if Australia can actually manage to legitimately threaten this crucial set piece.
Still, it is still a pretty good first season. Sure, Deans had a short turn-around after being with the Crusaders, but he also had a huge advantage working with the ELVs in the Super 14.
A tough end-of-season tour awaits the Wallabies, where “Dingo” will no doubt continue refining what he will hope will become his green and gold masterpiece.
UPCOMING MATCHES
Saturday 1st November New Zealand V Australia Hong Kong Stadium
Saturday 8th November Italy V Australia TBA
Saturday 15th November England V Australia Twickenham
Saturday 22nd November France V Australia Stade de France
Terry Kidd
Guest
I am willing to discount Auckland, Ellis Park and Brisbane. The Wallabies back line and centre defence were disrupted by injuries before and during each game. That isn't to say that they shouldn't have coped, adjusted and moved on, but in this early period of Dean's tenure I don't think the depth and player knowledge (of the desired game plans) existed in some key positions. I think noticeable improvement has occurred. Horwill and Hynes have both done very well. Brown has been discovered, might he be an ideal replacement for Elsom at 6? Baxter seems to have improved out of sight. Burgess showed the potential to be able to give the back line time and space plus the threat of a running half. I'm still not convinved of Giteau at 10, I think he and Barnes should swap, let Barnes give the quick wide pass and move the back line attack a little wider of the defending loosies. AAC seems to be developing into the FB role and I think has further improvement in him. Cross or Tahu at 13 in the future, I think Tahu will prove to be the better and more dominant player with another season of S14 behind him. I really hope that Chris Hickey schools him and gives him significant game time at 13. I think Moore at hooker has done ok, he pays hard in tight and is mobile around the ground, and his throwing has improved. Robinnson at prop has continued to develop and should be persevered with. McMenimen should be dveloped as a lock in my opinion, be told to play tighter with more grunt and venom, and devlop his line out skills. More injury free game time will help him immensely. Mumm I'm not yet sure of, probably because he has not had much game time, another S14 with consistent time at 6 or lock may help us see him more clearly. Above we pretty much have what would in most minds be the starting 15, others who need to be looked at are Alexander, Kimlin, Beale, Pocock, Kepu. All said in my humble opinion.
James Mortimer
Guest
Good points about depth, especially in the playmaking position. I did not take into account the increased breeding grounds in Australian rugby (the dissapointment of the ARC collaspe notwithstanding) - probably accentuated by John Mitchell creating a culture in Perth. However, I think it was the manner of the Wallabies two heavy defeats that define my criticisms, but also with the fact that as a Hurricanes supporter I have seen first hand the havoc that Canterbury sides have caused to other unions in the New Zealand game. It is fair to say that I was caught up in the considerable hype of Deans and did expect him to take the Wallabies to the Tri Nations summit. But most significantly, I did not expect the All Blacks to rebound in the manner that they did after their Sydney humiliation. If they had not arrested what was an alarming side for New Zealands premier side - we would likely now be doing nothing except heaping priase at Deans and the Wallabies feet.
LeftArmSpinner
Guest
I think Dingo has done much better than most think. He inherited an existing squad and with just a few weeks, embarked on a series of test matches. No time to really assess the players, get them fully fit for the new rules nor determine the mental toughness of the players. Given this, he has done an exceptional job from a standing start, as long as he takes the opportunity of the NH tour to blood plenty of new guys and in doing so, "release" some of the older softer players. These include Mortlock, Sharpe, Waugh, Cordingley, Tuqiri and Dunning for starters. Yes, Tuqiri!!!! Just doesnt want it enough. A wake up call might fire him up or spend him back to league. either way, no problems. I am not sure about Baxter. He was on my Bye bye list until recently. maybe, just maybe, he has gone through that change of life that is required to be a good prop. The first criteria for their replacements are that they need to demonstrate massive, uncompromising, mental strength and determination. Burgess has it. Barnes has it. Others who appear to have it are Beale, Tahu, Brown, Pocock and Mumm. Lets find out sooner than later. Those to come in include Turner, Cooper, Alexander to name a few.
Hoy
Guest
I agree with Davo that there is plenty of depth in Australia, but for too long, the powers that be have not taken the hard road and gotten rid of players before they become completely over the hill. If Mortlock or anyone in the Wallabys is past his used by date, I am not sure the ARU will push him out to replace him with a younger better player, rather they will let him decide on his own terms when he wants to go. Australia seems to keep players for sentimental reasons. We have the depth, but wihout the chance to shine, what good is depth? I said in another topic, we have three good young 5/8s waiting to be blooded in Cooper, Beale and Lileafano. Yet Deans didn't pick a single one of them, and instead went with Mortlock as back up 5/8 on Saturday. People quickly screamed how short of players we were. It was a decision made to stick with Mortlock, it wasn't that there weren't any other players. Brown is another case in point. As Davo says he have been 4th starter at the Force. For years we keep picking the same old starters and moan how they don't play any good, but we never seem to give a promising youngster a go to prove their worth. Sometimes it mightn't work, but other times, we might just find a diamond.
Davo
Guest
James very interesting summation. Not sure I embrace this concept of running rugby as being the traditional Australian way. I think it's something of a myth created by ARU marketing types and jingo-istic commentators like Kearns and Buddha. Most Aussie teams over the last 20 years have kicked far too much ball and one of the big issues with the current team is still the amount of aimless, poorly executed kicking. I do agree with a lot of your other points and that stat about scrums collapsed and reset is truly astounding and enlightening. I would wager the Waraths at Super 14 level would have a similarly glaring figure from the past few seasons. One area where I believe the Wallabies are under-estimated is depth. With now 4 professional provincial teams, a very good all be it underperformed U21 squad and plenty of grade players ( at least in the Sydney comp ) who did not play any Super 14 this year - eg:Clyde Rathbone, Tim McGann, Jerry Yanuyanutawa, Gavin DeBartolo, Nick Haydon, Clint Eadie, Leo Afeaki to name a few- there is plenty of depth and plenty of good quality young players. Richard Brown is a case in point....he would've been a number 3 or 4 choice backrower for the Force at the start of the year behind Fava, Pocock, Hodgson, and for 50 minutes on Saturday he was close to our best forward on the ground when he came on for the Wallabies. So yes, some improvement and some cause for hope. But some issues in defence, scrum, lineout throwing and too much ineffectual kicking,chasing without a doubt.