Disconsolate Deans rues errors after Wallabies loss

Uncle Eric, I agree. The ARU marketing is terrible. Rugby needs to distinguish itself clearly from league and the other football coeds. Rugby needs to connect with its tradition and history. I think it is hilarious that Ralph Lauren designs a better traditional rugby jersey and merchandise than any of the Wallaby jersey sponsors have managed. see www.rugby.com Agree about a national comp too. You can blame the coach all you want - but consistently being the best team ibn the world requires a national domestic comp and club infrastructure to nurture the required winning culture and talent.

Absolutely right Mr D and to make matters worse the marketing is appalling to boot. My view is that rugby will continue to struggle in Australia until it establishes a viable, competitive and entertaining national competition. At the moment S14/15 is the only feed into the Wallabies and players in S14/15 come straight from club rugby. Cut the salaries paid to ARU staff, coaches, and Wallaby players and use the money towards establishing a national competition.

You can't tell from a still image. Could be nothing.

Firstly Brown (if it can be shown to be his hands) should be cited and rub-out for a goodly period. No excuses. Mitchell did not get a red card for a penalty offence. He got a second yellow, which Joubert showed and then said words to the effect "I know this will affect the game but this is his second yellow so..." then showed the red. Mitchell should know better. He was just being childish and petualant and deserves to be overlooked by the selectors until he wakes up to himself.

Dean Mumm should not play period. He is a soft cock and has no skills. His father should put an end to both of their embarrassment. Robbie Deans, How many more opportunities are you giving this big jello.

I can imagine - and the BoP result wouldn't have helped

Harry Shep is a good option as adds bulk, is defensively very good and may, just may be a 13 option but unsure if he has every played this position asisde from some injury time requirements at the Force. Stainforth is a hard nut, straight running and hard hitting but can only last 40 minutes but he still gives 100% and is not in awe of anyone as what O'Connor and Horne showed at times on Saturday. In O'Connors defence he saw about as much ball as Jane did but when Jane got his two effective touches he scored one try and set up another.

Certainly not a good look but must have been a split second action and top marks to the photographer for getting it. Funny that two guys get yellow carded for questionable hits and Mitchell gets the 'red' for a penalty offence only action yet that possible gouge is not acted upon by either a ref or the citing commissioner? Would have having Mitchell on for the remaining of the game saved Aussie, no but I am sure the score line would have had a touch more eveness to it.

The lack of replays was amazing, I didn't understand why Mitchell had been carded first time around? There seemed to be a lack of cameras at the game. I agree one of Gits passes was forward, but slightly and would have been a tough call as surely the pity rule was being envoked at that time? The ABs were very good but not unbeatable but until the Wallabies stop their mistakes and harden up in defence they will not beat this current AB side. This is why I am looking forward to the muscle that is Horwill, Palu and Polata being back in. Adding a Staniforth or Shephard in the back line may also be a necessity until the forementioned guys are back. Still receiveing 'well wishes' via texts, going to be a long week and possibly a very long fortnight?

Proof that not all match officials calls go against the Wallabies: Richard Brown can count himself very lucky he wasn't picked up for this!! See the photo here: http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/all-blacks/3980033/Graham-Henry-deserves-heros-welcome

Warren - seeing you watched a replay - was there not a couple of forward passes (throws) in the lead up to both second half wallaby tries - I'm sure there was definitely one at the breakdown prior to the ball being spread to AAC and there was similar one at a later breakdown but not sure if it was preceding Elsom going over ... unfortunately the appalling foxsports coverage failed to show replays, which given the horrible angle of some of the camera work, isn't too surprising

Mitchell's second red card was for an offence that could well have stopped a try. The Wannabies' defence was at sixes and sevens, and Smith wanted a quick throw to captilise. He got what he deserved. The guy lacks big match temperament.

Thought another bright light on the horizon is the return of some meaness, muscle and uncomprimising defence with Horwill, Palu, Polata Nou to return. Two of these guys in particular will make a world of difference with Palu in for Brown which will give us a number 8 that makes the advantage line nearly all the time and a defensive weapon that actually hurts. Polata will do the same as Palu, more comapct weapon but just as damaging. Then you add Horwill into the mix, Thorn likeness but ten years younger and has that streak of agresiveness which is sorely missed and him partenering Sharpe or Simmons will be a far more dynamic seocnd row with Elsom, Higginbotham and Palu completing the book. I haven't yet resigned myself to a wasted TN campaign, not for the trophy but for a win in SA and Sydney with the icing on a deflated cake being a win in Hong Kong followed by a dominant display in the NH. The All Black hoodo is annoying however if the Wallabies can beat all others and squeeze one or two wins out of the blue against the ABs then RWC2011 is more than just a good chance. Can I take another loss to the ABs, if I have to but only if the Wallabies play the game they are trying to perfect, losing is one thing but being outclassed through ineptness is another. Learn fella's learn.

Hard loss to take but took yesterday and a replay to understand it. All Blacks are a very good side. The Wallabies are not mentaly right to beat the ABs, that is it in a nut shell. Watching the Wallabies build up good phase play, break the line showed it wasn't that the Wallabies couldn't find holes in the AB defence, it was more that either a weak mental moment cost us with Brown's missed tackle on Jane and Genia not covering the blind on McCaw. Until the Wallabies realize that the black jumper is not force sheild protected and that their skills are actually up to these guys then it will be a long year. The ABs scored two dubious tries, Mils off side BUT camera angle was deceiving. The more crucial decision was the accidental off side in Carter's try as it knocked Barnes's confidence and the obvious 7 points. The missed call by Kaplan (he was in a better position to see) are ones you don't want in test rugby especially if the call favours the ABs as when the ABs get a flow going they are nigh on impossible to beat. I do think the Wallabies have a chance this weekend as using the one good game, one bad rotation theory you exepect the Wallabies to play a blinder and with Weepu starting on a ground he has never seemed to play well on there maybe just a slight lack of cohesion in the linking play between 9 and 10. I would start with Burgess, have Higginbotham on for Mumm and have Anthony Faiaanga at 13 or have Beale at Full back and AAC at 13.

Bennelong, there are two different topics here....firstly Coopers punishment was rediculous, but like mitchel so was his action. He was rediculous to put himself in that position. It added nothing to the game. If you watch the AB's they push it to the limit find out where that limit is and then stay there.....these bone headed decision by our senior players are what is really rediculous...our forwards who are in the coal mines all game dont get carded...even Richard Brown has worked it out. The card system may need to be revised, but mitchel and cooper were not even close calls and both of them need an out right bollocking...they are paid proffessinals playing for the Wallabies....both were plays more to the liking of cowardly french players or Saffas at the bottom of a ruck. Just stupid and both cost us the test the trinations and the bledisloe....how can deans operate like this....the AB's without carter are a different side, same as us without Cooper.

You're being ridiculous. I didn't at any point state that I liked severe sanctions, or that Drew Mitchell deserved to be red carded. Please do not misquote me. Nobody was cited in the match. Owen Franks was yellow carded, and Mitchell was yellow carded twice. Can I recall a match when so many cards were handed out? Of course I can. There was three yellow cards doled out in the Test versus the Springboks last week. Three players were yellow carded in the 2nd Test between New Zealand and Wales. Two players were yellow carded in the recent Test between SA and France. 'Misdemeanors, which is what we’re talking about, should not be treated as crimes Rugby is a game after all' Pardon? Rugby is a game, and yellow cards are part of that game. Drew Mitchell received two yellow cards. To date he has not been summoned before Lord Voldemort to be sentenced to Azkaban.

So why do you like severe sanctions? And CAN you recall a previous time when so many players were carded and cited? My career suggestions relate to the type of people who find individuality threatening and believe you can and should force people to act in specific ways by punishment. I prefer to allow people latitude and only make criminals out of them when they commit crimes. Misdemeanors, which is what we're talking about, should not be treated as crimes Rugby is a game after all

The card system just needs to be applied logically. It must be equitable. The touch judges should be used to call ball in touch and, I believe, monitor the offside rule in set plays. BUT STOP THEM INTERFERING WITH THE GAME UNLESS THEY CAN BE CITED FOR VEXATIOUS RULINGS! There is no reason they could not refer incidents to the video ref for later review, which, because the game is over, would only be used in cases of extreme dangerous play of the intentional kind , the Botha headbut being an example at the lower order where the intention was the main problem, through to Richard Lowe's intentional smashing of Paul Carozzas nose. Let the game flow! Bad incidents aren't all that common, after all But Quade Cooper's two weeks including two Bledisloe games is patently absurd to any Australian or Kiwi over 35, who isn't in charge of protecting us all from living. I believe Jaque Fourie's punishment was also too harsh because time in the bin is a significant deterrant AT THE TIME. Do you have any doubts what the players (who we're protecting) would say regarding these punishments? Main thing is, reserve the cards for significant acts that are dangerous or likely to prevent a try Keep the citings for extreme cases where the referee has reported the player or was unaware

The comparison between the example of a SA player who SA fans claimed was unfairly and harshly carded and the example of an Australian player that Australian fans claimed was harshly carded is bizarre on what level? Why you feel a need to consistently make suggestions as to peoples careers based on the fact they disagree with you is beyond me. It's very immature. Mitchell's prior discipline record is absolutely irrelevant. He didn't need to push McCaw and he didn't need to throw the ball away. That is it. Case closed. You clearly miss the point and are being far too emotive, hence the odd references to rights and freedoms. Clearly you felt that Australia had a good chance of winning, if I recall your 'I know NZ are overconfident!' comments pre-match correctly, but this really isn't the way to deal with what must be a crushing blow for you. Man up.

A bizarre comparison In any example of justice the punishment must fit the crime. Now we're talking about a game of football here, and Mitchell has never been sent of before. "The point is the players put themselves in a position to be punished." Sorry. That most definitely is not the point. Regardless, can you recall a previous time when so many players were carded and cited? I realise from your pars you like strict controls but I wonder why you like Rugby School teacher? Municipal bureaucrat? Parking meter officer?