The Wallabies were soundly beaten on Saturday night, but all is not lost. Call me an optimist, call me hopeful, call me stupid, but I think Australia still has a chance at next year’s Rugby World Cup. This year’s Tri-Nations series is New Zealand’s to lose, that much is clear.
The All Blacks are in great form and have clinically disposed of the Wallabies and the Springboks twice. And your money would definitely be on New Zealand claiming another scalp in Christchurch this weekend.
But let’s not forget that the Wallabies are missing Digby Ioane, James Horwill, Wycliff Palu Tatafu-Polota-Nau and Ben Alexander. All are virtually starting players and fill big holes.
Palu is a damaging runner and has more than 30 caps for Australia. Ditto Polota-Nau, who had dispersed Stephen Moore as the number one hooker before injury took hold.
Horwill and Ioane were two of the main stars of the dynamic Queensland Reds team which were by far the form Australian province in the Super 14.
The Wallabies simply do not have anything near the player depth of New Zealand or South Africa. They are also missing Quade Cooper. He was the best Australian player in this year’s Super Rugby competition and he is coming of age in the international arena.
You put all that together, along with a lot of under-experienced and overwhelmed players filling those spots, and you have a struggling team.
And you put them against a mean, lean and fired-up All Blacks outfit that can smell blood in the water, and add a Drew Mitchell send off, and you have the setting for the Melbourne massacre.
But before we start calling for Robbie Deans sacking we all need to take a deep breath and a step back. It might be a bitter pill to swallow but the 2010 Tri-Nations is just a tune-up to the 2011 World Cup.
If the Wallabies can snatch a victory in South Africa, and maybe one in the next three games against New Zealand, then we will be really back on track.
Considering our dismal player depth, Deans has done a great job in blooding a lot of new players, who eventually will be better for the experience.
New backs in Rob Horne and Faingaa, a whole new front row and some new forwards like Rob Simmons, have all tasted or will taste Test match rugby.
With the Melbourne Rebels coming on board next year, Australia’s rugby player depth will get a well-needed shot in the arm. Our Sevens team is also performing well, the best it has in years, so we have some hope.
The Wallabies current predicament has some echoes to England’s rebuilding phase in the late 1990’s under Clive Woodward, which eventually lead to the 2003 World Cup triumph.
Let’s just hope it won’t take as long, and we don’t have to suffer as many defeats (or concede 76 points in a match), before the Wallabies taste success again.
ohtani's jacket
Guest
I think most New Zealanders are thankful that Stephen Donald is injured, though apparently he was axed before the injury.
Justin
Roar Pro
Mike Delaney? Are we pushing things a bit now?
Lion Red
Guest
Thanks Richierich for the oversight. You can also add Mike Delany to the injury list. So that makes about 8 guys not avaliable for selection for this year because of injuries (3 starters and maybe 5 subs). So when the Wallablies get their 1st choice players back and improve do you not think the AB's would be in the same boat next year? So if the Graham Henry & co can select and coach a team that has also been hit with injuries into a champion team than why cannot Deans & co?
Richierich
Guest
Not to mention Richard Kahui or Jason Eaaton
MattyP
Guest
Dunc the key to that Aussie pack was Owen Finnegan. Every good pack needs a bruiser/fixer. The Wobblies haven't had one since Finnegan was (stupidly and prematurely) dumped and they've been a cardboard cutout of an international pack ever since.
ohtani's jacket
Guest
If only they'd photographed the double charge down play.
ohtani's jacket
Guest
This is a different team from the side that lost to South Africa. I wouldn't call it a great side but they have won 12 straight. I assume people are talking them up because they're closing in on the record against Australia.
momapegr
Guest
Oh thats right Red Rooster because you're the Assistant Coach?
Ben S
Roar Guru
Baxter was only dropped when referees were penalising him so heavily that Deans had no other alternative. Matt Giteau was only switched to 10 when there was no other choice, i.e. he had played there for two seasons solid, and because Cooper's form was simply undeniable. Luke Burgess was only dropped when it became abundantly clear that his passing was a liability. Phil Waugh was dropped... but then George Smith started basically until he retired. Deans is generally a conservative selector, hence Genia was rushed back ahead of Burgess versus England, when Burgess had had an excellent game, and the continued selections of Mumm and Brown. Deans also rushed back Moore when clearly he wasn't match fit, and now he has had to drop him. By and large Deans has plumped with a core group and ignored the peripheral players. That he is courageous and bloods younger players is a myth. Martin Johnson's side that beat Australia in the second Test was more inexperienced than the Australians.
Spence
Guest
Why does everyone keep saying this AB's team is one of the best ever? Didn't they get hammered 3 zip by the Boks just last year? Sure they have looked good this year in 3 games but don't you need to do a little more to be considered one of the best teams of all time from a nation that routinely produces brilliance. Beating the current Wallabies should hardly be the yard stick to measure a great team, this Wallabies team is one of, if not the worst Wallabies team ever, they actually lost to Scotland.
momapegr
Guest
It's the Wallabies culture...played many games and then you think every one should BOW down to you...like how he missed the conversion IN FRONT OF THE POSTS in Englands game...SAD....don't know why he blocks other young and upcoming talent to represent Oz...he's expired and it shows coz he didn't get the CAPTAINCY TITLE...he's not HUMBLE!!!!
Lion Red
Guest
If the AB's were to lose Franks, Mealamu, Thorn & Reid than I would assume that they would be replaced by Neemia Tialata (43 Caps), Corey Flynn (15 Caps), Sam Whitelock (6 Caps) and Rodney So'oialo (62 Caps). If Carter was missing than I would select Luke McAlister (30 Caps) ahead of Aaron Cruden going for experience. WIth these replacements I still think a full strength Wallaby team would find them hard to beat.
momapegr
Guest
Oh Red Rooster, SO TYPICALLY OZZIE...YOU KNOW...THE ONE WHO COULDN'T PLAY BUT JUST CRITICISE FROM THE SIDE LINE...NO HUMILITY...JUST EXCUSES AFTER EXCUSES... Let me see...you tried out for the wallabies and didn't know how to follow...oh shucks...maybe the team they have now just might follow Robbie...and then maybe...THE WORLD WILL GET TO SEE SOME REAL RUGBY!!!! AYE????
Lion Red
Guest
AB's have on the injured list Ali Williams, Andrew Hore, Sitivini Sitivatu who were the starting incumbents in their respective positions before injury and than you have guys who would be on the bench but also injured is Isaiah Toeava and Stephen Donald. That's about 5 guys from the squad.
Djrobinson
Guest
Brett Ignore Republican. He's a die hard AFL supporter with a hatred of New Zealand the size of country. Australia have, can and always will be competitive in union against New Zealand, last saturday has passed this saturday is a new game and a new battle and if the the green and golds did not believe they could win they wouldn't bother showing up.
Red Rooster
Guest
Kefu is coaching the Sunshine Coast Stingrays and was playing a few months back - should see if he is available
Red Rooster
Guest
Don't stress WLN we are only playing trial games for the next 14 months - these games don't matter didn't you hear?
Red Rooster
Guest
MT - If Deans is the supercoach then what is Graham Henry - Kiwis must be smarter than us all round and probably did it cheaper as well
Red Rooster
Guest
Well he isn't coaching kickoff thats for sure
Red Rooster
Guest
Nice post Robbie - If they aren't following you then you aren't leading - maybe typing in CAPITALS is not the best way to get your message accross. If it isnt you Robbie then send him your cv you might get a start and the captaincy to boot