The Wallabies are heading in the right direction with the introduction of two more Reds players. However, they need more. The headlines during the week regarding the Wallaby boys being outplayed by the All Black men are true.
It was a terrific performance from an experienced and highly skilled All Black outfit.
This week Anthony Faingaa will join the run on side, a great inclusion in my view. The Wallabies have lacked a strong running, hard-nosed defensive centre since the likes of Rod Kafer and Nathan Grey retired.
What Faingaa will provide is a platform for his team to work from. His defensive prowess should see him handle the power of Ma’a Nonu – which Barnes struggled with – whilst also trucking the ball up in traffic, something that Barnes has rarely done.
The Wallabies won’t lose a great deal having Giteau at 10.
The criticism of him has been somewhat unwarranted, in my view. People seem to forget he was the only Wallaby to be named in the team of the decade. He’ll do a fine job provided he packs his kicking boots.
Having Barnes at inside provoked a running game that our forwards weren’t capable of matching. Sending the ball wide is all well and good when you have the cattle capable of getting to the breakdown to secure possession.
Faingaa will settle the ball in midfield whilst providing his forwards with the much needed time to arrive and recycle possession.
This will then provide Giteau with the opportunity to spread the ball wide on phase play, whilst taking advantage of the lack of speed shown by All Blacks outside centre, Conrad Smith.
Personally, I am a Conrad Smith fan. He’s become Mr Perpetual Motion in the All Blacks backline. However, he lacks the genuine pace needed to defend in that position.
Because of the strength of the All Blacks side, he has rarely been troubled. Smith’s tackling technique can often represent that of Richard Brown’s shirt grabbing display last week.
A speedy back with a good fend could easily exploit this on phase play when the defensive line is lacking structure, particularly with great broken field runners like Kurtley Beale and James O’Connor.
The introduction of Faingaa not only brings solidity to the Wallaby midfield; it also brings that infectious enthusiasm which the Reds showed throughout the Super Rugby season.
The Reds were enthusiastic in both attack and defence, and whilst the Wallaby side has a good sprinkling of other franchises’ players. I believe that the inclusion of more Reds players will only be beneficial.
Saia Faingaa is another great selection; his fearless attitude will be extremely effective in the hustle and bustle of the breakdown, particularly when Jonathon Kaplan is refereeing.
His “free for all until I say so” approach will obviously work in the favour of Faingaa and Pocock. However, I’m certain Richie McCaw is also licking his lips at thought of being given an extended piece of rope at the breakdown. It will be interesting to see if any players take too much rope, and hangs themselves.
For me, the continual exclusion of Scott Higginbotham is perplexing. Deans loves to blood firebrand youngsters, however, has decided to remain with the shirt grabbing Richard Brown.
During the week people were calling for the head of Drew Mitchell, however, Brown’s pathetic attempted tackle last week was enough to warrant a return lower grade club rugby.
It showed a clear lack of enthusiasm and commitment that a Wallaby should provide. I think someone like Higginbotham could provide this rabid attitude the Wallabies need.
This is obviously a colossal task for the Wallabies. They are facing an All Blacks side which is continually turning the screws on their opposition.
This is undoubtedly the squad they wish to take to the World Cup next year. Might I add again like I did last week, that the All Blacks form is mighty fine.
In fact, I would say that it’s beginning to simmer.
The World Cup is still a year off. Can they hold off the boil before then?
Justin
Roar Pro
SMI - I like Hodgson but he DOESNT get game time so whats the point? He can play anywhere in the backrow so surely at some point his difference could be utilised. If they are worried he isnt big enough then he should be there. Thats my point. Its not a knock on Hodgson.
IronAwe
Guest
What happened in last weeks rugby club? Is there a youtube link?
Jerry
Guest
Under the new law interpretations, he would have been able to take the tackle and recycle easily.
Tui
Guest
Another uniformed article Paddy. Conrad Smith a poor tackler? And nothing more about the "changing of the guard" regarding McCaw and Pocock this week I noticed??
mother teresa
Guest
CD, JOC will get the bounce of ball in the interim until he matures but wouldnt make my team at present and thats when the game takes place. the selectors will prove themselves right in the future;told you so
Even looser
Guest
So take the tackle and have confidence in your guys to support. Dangerous I know but seriously, that kick was never an option from someone playing at his level. And IF he insists on kicking (no matter what) then get a move on mate. Far too slow from him. And easy meat for the men in black. That's the sort of thing that can really rock the team confidence. Don't disgree at all about Gits. Far from it. What is they say 'never pass the ball to a player in a worst position than you'? That seemed to sum it up. Hang on there I go arguing against myself again.
stillmissit
Roar Guru
Thanks Dunc that is very kind of you but I think we need a lot more than some luck. We need guts and determination which we seem to be lacking against the AB's in NZ.
Cattledog
Guest
Yeah, Dunc, a general comment referring to other threads, not necessarily this one. It's actually a Saffa on this one making some silly remarks, probably still smarting. Agree with Mitchell, however, I think JOC will surprise many in the years to come...and I think it will take a bit more than luck tonight...but thanks for the sentiments!
stillmissit
Roar Guru
Good luck to all of US Wallaby supporters, chewing our nails and getting wound up watching the clock for 5:35.
stillmissit
Roar Guru
Polyglot I would have put it the other way round!
stillmissit
Roar Guru
Justin - he has tried everyone else looking for mongrel why not give this toughie a go. We seem to have a few cream puffs at the moment and what I saw of him in S14 he ain't one of those.
polyglot
Roar Rookie
I love a clever headline, very good!
stillmissit
Roar Guru
Anthony Fainga will not add much to the back line but AAC will. I do not like AAC at fullback and prefer him at outside centre where he gets more action. Giteau at 5/8 is a worry his stocks are low and slowly coming back. Mumm is a total mystery to me and I would have pulled him and put Simmonds on unless Sharp was injured. Higinbotham is a hard fast No6 but, we have one of those (when he is working properly which he is NOT at the moment). Still I would be tempted to stick him in the row rather than Mumm. In fact anything but our Mumm. This team will fight hard and produce something tougher and better than they have to date, or concede it is all over for the world cup in 12 months time. I don't think there is time and enough games to bring a team together at the level needed. My prediction ALL Blacks by 15 in a hard fought and tough contest. Anything less and I think I will just sit down and CRY.
dunc
Guest
I disagree with the AB fans arrogance comment, ok I am an ABs fan....But we went through alot of pain last year losing all three to the Boks. That was frustrating as all hell. We have now got rid of our dead wood/players not up to Test rugby (think Stephen Donald) and settled on a winning team and combinations. Wallabies need to find a sharp and strong centres pairing. My goodness you are missing Mortlock. Get Hynes, AAC, AF, Beale and Ioane working together in the next year. Then you will have some guts and guys who can step at pace. Drew Mitch and JOC are not who you need in 2011. Good luck tonight!
Jimbob
Guest
Believe his line? Although its the first time Deans has conceded that its (RWC 2011) really the gauge of his time with the Wallabies, personally I think he's covering his arse a bit after another ordinary showing against the ABs. However, it is further proof that the ARU's - or more to the point, John O'Neiil's love affair with the World Cup and how it continues to the detriment of another Bledisloe. I know we'll be competitive come the world cup but I'm sick of constantly 'building towards' one in the years in between.
Justin
Roar Pro
Can someone in Deans corner explain why Hodgson warms the pine for every minute of evry test? Play him or get someone in the squad who is going to have an impact. At the moment we are playing a 6 man bench!
Cattledog
Guest
Paddy, good post and agree with the Higginbotham debarcle. Can't understand why Deans hasn't used him, especially in place of Brown. Also good to see the Kiwi fans still as arrogant as ever...at least the ABs have the humility to go with their great form at present.
dunc
Guest
ben the posters below have come to my defence on Conrad Smith being a sound tackler. I do agree with you about Mortlock - as I have said before, he has enormous respect in the All Black camp and I can think of at least two wins over the All Blacks where he led the way.
Jerry
Guest
Yeah, but that was more a case of a guy getting stepped rather than missing a tackle through poor technique. As you say, often when a pass is poor it catches defenders out cause they rush up anticipating a big hit leaving themselves vulnerable to getting stepped like that.
Moaman
Guest
Jerry;to be fair-Smith was done like a dog's you-know-what by the bounce pass to AAC which led to the latter's try last week.It is often a breakdown like that poor pass that ironically opens up the better-organised defences.That could happen to anyone.But over the years Smith has proven himself a top class defender and organiser of the various backlines he has operated in.