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I watched the game live last night at the ground and have just watched the replay. Drew Mitchell does not deserve to wear the gold jersey ever again.
Mitchell was dropped from the initial Tri-Nations squad due to his attitude. Mitchell is an extremely gifted player with ball in hand but he believes that is enough.
It simply isn’t, for a long time he has been told he needs to work harder on his strength and on his defence, yet he has continued to coast by because he believes the Wallabies have no one else.
He has simply not learnt his lesson.
Attitude is what cost him a red card and the Wallabies a chance at winning last night. Mitchell deserved the first yellow card and instead of focusing on his attack and defence, the ‘rooster’ – as he is nicknamed for his complete arrogance – showed exactly why he has earned that nickname.
Mitchell came back on and instead of makling amends he mouthed off at the ref and his negative play was in the end enough. Regardless of whether you agree with the ref giving a second yellow card (which is an automatic red), the simple fact remains that Mitchell’s attitude was what cost him.
The ref had warned both sides repeatedly about negative play, and that he would not tolerate it so what is Mitchell, a winger who thinks he can physically mix it with the likes of Thorn, slapping the ball out of a players hands!
Mitchell has not learnt his lesson from being dropped.
Several other players fell short last night.
Giteau’s pass too Barnes should never have happened, and Barnes had a shocking night in the 12 jersey.
James O’Connor is another player who seems to play for himself. His inability to pass cost the Wallabies a certain try last night.
Richard Brown slipped off several tackles, and the question must be asked of Deans – why is Hodgson spending 80 minutes on the bench, especially with only 14 men throughout the second half. Hodgson was a game changer during the super 14 and yet he sees no game time.
I have raised this argument several times, why are we continually paying these over rated players $500,000 per season when they, from a win-loss ratio, are unable to deliver. We could pull a bunch of no names from club rugby and they could perform no worse.
The ARU needs to have a good long hard look at how it is structuring player contracts. We are paying players a fortune for no results. I understand we need to pay players well, so how about $259,000 with the other half to be paid end of year based on win-loss ratio. Cut match payments to $2,000 or nil for a loss.
Crowds are down because our team look like a bunch of pampered rockstars who don’t deliver. Against a team like the All Blacks who simply want it so much more, and don’t care about the rockstar lifestyle are a far superior product.
The ARU needs to clean house, and perhaps after the next rugby World Cup, McKenzie is made coach and does just that.
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.