The pain of watching Scotland gallantly defeat the Wallabies was palpable. The Wallabies had taken some steps forward with their performances against England and Ireland but have taken a massive step backwards with their inept performance in Edinburgh.
Reviewing 2009 will show that Australian teams performed poorly in the Super 14. This was exacerbated by a winning ugly ethos that dumbed down the game (which in turn drove spectators away) by playing low risk kick and chase tactics (that more resembled the forcings back we used to play as kids). The Waratahs were the worst offenders here.
The backs were not given the opportunity to express themselves, thus losing the opportunity to develop their skills with ball in hand. What is of greater concern is that lack of decent second rowers – in another posting I suggested that Robbie Deans have a chat to Dan Vickerman whilst in the UK. This is now an imperative.
There is a lack of depth in the Wallaby ranks which is a direct reflection of the Super 14 performances.
Robbie Deans now has had to select a sevens player with just one Super 14 match experience. This in itself is an indictment on rugby in Australia.
Robbie broke ranks with John O’Neill and suggested that Australia needs a national championship – this is now patently obvious.
However, even if John O’Neill did have a change of heart and instituted one in 2010, the benefits of a National Championship are three to five years out.
So where to from here?
In my opinion, our ability to compete in 2010 and the next Rugby World Cup are firmly in the hands of the Super 14 coaches.
We can forget about being competitive if they continue with low risk one dimensional kick and chase rugby.
Parisien
Guest
I more or less agree with you Pete, although I would say there were only four really bad performances: South Africa in Perth, NZ in Wellington, and recently Ireland and Scotland, bad for different reasons, the last two for not putting away an opponent that really deserved to be put away by half time. The Wallabies played pretty well in all the other matches and the results could easily have gone the other way. The win over Wales gives me reason for cautious optimism.
Parisien
Guest
Thank you OJ, most gracious of you. Hope you enjoyed the NZ victory too.
Knives Out
Guest
I think we've got crossed wires, but now that you mention it, yes. England have lacked maturity and composure during this AI, and last years AI. The 6N was very good, however - the best since 2003, and Johnson has injury excuses to hide behind at the moment. Next years 6N and 3N will be very informative for all parties.
Rickety Knees
Roar Guru
KO - getting consistantly good results. The Wallabies have lacked maturity and composure in their play, from your comment I am assuming that England have played similarly?
Knives Out
Guest
What problem is that, RK? Do you mean results?
Rickety Knees
Roar Guru
It would seem that Martin Johnson has a similar problem. The Wallaby and English results are not dissimilar.
Knives Out
Guest
Sure, and why not be pleased? The win was a great finale to the season. Incidentally, I'd like to point out that this youth myth is just that, a myth. Australia has some young players but it certainly isn't overburdened with really young players. For example, when Australia played England England had 9 players aged 24 or younger and Australia had 8.
Rickety Knees
Roar Guru
KO - I guess this result leaves me with the choice of whether the glass is half empty or half full. There certainly have been some low lights and I have been critical not so much of the players but the lack of Rugby infrastructure in Australia. This win by a very young side with little experence and the way it was executed does offer hope for the future. For me right now the cup is half full.
katzilla
Roar Guru
^ OJ speaks the truth.
johnny-boy
Guest
wallabies win 1 game in 10 ? - whoop de bloody do
ohtani's jacket
Guest
It was a good win and I'm glad it gave Wallaby supporters something to cheer about.
Knives Out
Guest
You might be right there, Pete. If you're feeling optimistic then don't watch the France v NZ game.
Pete
Guest
I guess I'm being optimistic... I probably would have looked at the season differently if Wales had won...
Knives Out
Guest
Are you being serious? Only two bad performances?! I think we'll have to disagree. Nothing wrong with optimism of course.
Pete
Guest
There were more than 2 good performances! I think there were only 2 bad performances. Many results could have gone either way. It was a good season, but not a great one. Heading towards 2011, I'm pretty hapy with this squad. A tough and long season: 31-8 Italy 34-12 Italy 22-6 France 16-22 New Zealand 17-29 South Africa 18-19 All Blacks 25-32 South Africa 21-6 South Africa 6-33 New Zealand 19-32 New Zealand 36-5 Gloucester 18-9 England 20-20 Ireland 8-9 Scotland 31-3 Cardiff 33-12 Wales
Knives Out
Guest
RK, I'm not being purposefully cynical here, but two good performances in a season can't be that good surely?
Rickety Knees
Roar Guru
OJ the Wallabies just thumped Wales 4 tries to nil. So it is not that bad after all.
Campbell Watts
Guest
Jools I think it's just the current ebb-and-flow of the game at present. Newly introduced rules have lead to teams realising that getting caught with possession inside your own half is courting danger. Hence they come up with tactics to avoid that (all this bloody kicking!). I just think SA put it into practice best and the rest of us struggled to combat it. After watching France bash them into submission and defuse all their highballs I'm hoping they have shown everone the blue-print to beating this game-plan. It may well have run its course and we'll see more running this next southern hemi season!
ohtani's jacket
Guest
Where do for the Wallabies from here? Stop living in a state of denial. When you've got people like Dwyer saying it can't be Deans' fault because he was an excellent coach with the Crusaders, and Tim Horan saying the side is looking good for the 2011 WC, you're pretty much in denial. There's no honour in playing poorly now and pulling a fast one at the WC. That is not going to help Australian rugby in any real sense, it just gives the supporters something to hang onto until 2011. And as for Deans, history is repeating itself, only this time it's worse since Deans is head coach instead of an assistant. I sincerely hope the NZRU never let Robbie Deans within ten feet of the All Black coaching job.
Derm
Roar Guru
"Because Cheika has an outstanding provincial record with Leinster, or is it Munster (one of them)." It can't be that outstanding if you don't know which province he manages. And he has two good seasons - Magners winners and the H Cup last season. Nothing to shout about in SH terms.