Wallabies’ David Pocock watches as Wales’ Stephen Jones is tackled against Australia during their international rugby match at the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff, Wales, Saturday Nov. 6, 2010. (AP Photo/Tim Hales)
In the end, this first Test of the northern hemisphere part of the Wallabies tour was won comfortably enough with an Australia 25 – Wales 16 scoreline. And at the end of the match the Wallabies had several penalties awarded to them that were comfortable shots at goal. But they went for a try.
The Welsh defence held and a 9-point margin it was.
The measure of how comfortable the victory was is that only occasionally were the crowd moved to chanting or song. For most of the Test there was a sort of stunned silence as the home side was expertly put to the sword.
But it could have all ended in tears for the Wallabies.
With minutes to play and the score line 22 – 16 Martyn Williams got his foot to a loose Wallaby pass just outside the Wales 22. The Welsh defenders suddenly turned into attackers. The ball was hacked on. A Wallaby fell on the ball only metres away from the tryline. There were more Welsh jerseys around the melee than Australian.
A try for Wales was in the offing. And with the conversion Wales could have gone into an unlikely lead.
But a Welsh player right beside Williams was a foot or so, not much, in front of the kicker. The excellent referee Wayne Barnes spotted the infringement. The Wallabies came back for the penalty and the game was out of reach of Wales.
Despite this, the Wallabies were always in control of the Test.
They won 55 per cent of the possession and won the turnovers 21 (David Pocock in the main) to 9. Two Wallabies tries were scored from turnovers.
There was a sense of deja vue in all of this. Then I remembered that this was the way the Canterbury Crusaders punished oppositions when Robbie Deans was coaching them to five Super Rugby titles.
The Crusader/Wallabies absorbed the Welsh one-off smashes up the field. There were a couple of missed first up tackles earlier on (Quade Cooper go to the back of the class, again). But generally Wales never looked like doing much with the ball. They recycled it well enough setting up 94 rucks/mauls to the Wallabies’ 87.
But every now and again, Pocock would come in quickly on an isolated runner. He planted his feet wide like a weight-lifter and then dug expertly for the ball, and often won it. So good was his technique that Barnes actually complimented him on it at one stage in the second half.
Another facet of the Wallabies’ play that had a Crusders feel to it was the kicking for position.
In Hong Kong the Wallabies kicked only three balls to the All Blacks back three all game. But Cooper and Giteau kicked quite frequently. In all the Wallabies kicked 19 times to the 25 times by Wales.
I took from this that Deans had calculated that the only way Wales could score was from penalties and tries scored from close to the Australian tryline. With at least five of their normal starting players out injured, including the brilliant running fullback Lee Byrne, this Wallaby tactic of kicking for position made sense. And, more importantly, it worked.
Most of the comments on The Roar and by the leading Australian rugby writers were critical of the Wallabies’ play.
It certainly lacked the sparkle and elan of the Hong Kong victory. But there are many ways to skin a cat, depending on what sort of cat you want to skin. The way to beat this under-powered Wales side was to squeeze them out of the match. The Wallabies did this by not giving Wales much to play off.
I rather like this approach.
The Wallabies showed that there was some thought going into their game plan. They gave up the one-size (the total running game) fits all situations method. In a sense this was the sort of grinding it out victory teams need to achieve if they want to win the seven-straight matches that claiming a World Cup triumph requires.
As an aside, I would put the All Blacks defeat of England and the Springboks win over Ireland in this same category of a grinding it out sort of victory.
What supporters here in Australia need to understand is that there is a much higher degree of difficulty involved in defeating one of the northern hemisphere powers on their home grounds.
There have been decades, for instance, where good England sides just could not defeat Wales at Cardiff. It is very rare that one of the Home Unions side is totally over-run playing at home, as they so often are when playing in Australia, South Africa and New Zealand.
The one obvious cause for concern for the Wallabies was the scrum.
There were no excuses this Test (as there were in Hong Kong) for a delayed call of en-GAGE that could be blamed for the collapsed scrums and the penalties conceded. The Welsh pack, apparently 7.6kgs a man heavier than the Wallabies, gave them a rare hiding.
The Wallabies were penalised seven times in the scrums and managed to win only three of their own scrums.
All the penalties were justified.
Stephen Moore apparently twitched a muscle during the warm-ups and Saia Faingaa had to move forward from the reserves bench to the starting front row. Faingaa is not a good scrummer. Moore is a good scrummer. But surely this one change wasn’t so critical as to entirely destablise the Wallaby scrum?
It was noticeable that the Wallaby loose forwards were popping their heads up quickly and not giving the front too much help with some hefty shoving. I’ve always had my doubts too about Nathan Sharpe as a pushing second rower in the Bakkies Botha/Brad Thorn mould.
Whatever the problem is, it needs to be sorted out for next weekend.
England rely on their scrum to batter oppositions into submission. It was strong against the All Blacks and actually shoved them around a bit towards the end of the match. As the All Blacks scrum is a much better scrumming unit than the Wallaby pack, it could be a long afternoon at Twickenham, with the vast crowd roaring out on the John Bulls of the front row as they attempt to pound their opponents into the turf.
This summary can’t finish without a criticism of the lack of sportsmanship on the part of the Welsh rugby union and the Wales team to the Wallabies.
The Wallabies were presented with a pitch that cut up so much, even early on, after scrums that Barnes called to his assistants to get repairs down on it as soon as possible. This was gamemanship bordering on cheating by Wales who knew their side just didn’t have the pace around the field to match it with the Wallabies.
The Millennium Stadium has a roof. This roof was left open during the week when it rained a lot, and during the game. Again, you ask what is the purpose of this gamesmanship. Why have a stadium with a roof and then leave it open for the pitch to become soaked?
Then when the Wallabies accepted the Bevan Cup none of the Welsh players remained on the field to acknowledge the victory. This show of disrespect makes a mockery of the proud Welsh tradition of embracing sides that play rugby in the right spirit, which the Wallabies did.
So the Wallabies are still on song for an unbeaten tour, even if they missed a few beats in their play at Cardiff.
phil o'donovan
Guest
Easy perhaps to say after the event,but the Wallabies have been comprehensively beaten in their last two outings.In both games Australia have failed to adopt a game plan to compete with spirited opposition.Yes,it was wet and windy in Limerick and 99% of the crowd were rooting for Munster.However,this was a woeful Aus performance and most worrying of all,was they never looked like winning. Australia better get it right against Italy otherwise they will have more than a torrid time aagainst France.
John P
Guest
So glad someone picked up on that as well, watching here in NZ we were all blown away by the ridiculous nature of the commentary of the Welsh, needless to say we were trying very hard to change the commentary via sky...
Rusty
Guest
I am sensing a big problem against England, who will no doubt plan their whole game around getting as many scrums set as possible, no matter whose feed, thereby (1) denying the Aust backs quantity/quality ball and (2) potentially kicking plenty of goals from scrum penalties.
johnny-boy
Guest
Agree 100% Rusty - we have the worst commentators in the world for sure. How many times have I heard Bray say one thing when in fact the complete opposite has happened. It's holding rugby back a lot in Australia as anybody half interested might listen to the commentary and think omg - what an idiots sport. Those who are already interested just have to powerlessly grin and bear it but it's a negative for the sport and not many sports can afford negatives. It's a real shame. Perhaps with the rugby coverage going to channel nine ? they might employ some serious professional commentators as they do for league. It would improve the appeal of the coverage enormously and pay good dividends for them I imagine with sponsors
Rusty
Guest
My pet hate is Aust rugby commentators including Martin Kearns Horan & Crowley, they are SO biased to Aust and extremely condescending when explaining the finer points of the game, as is Bray. They should be commentating on the game, not alerting viewers to what they think is required for Aust to win the game. If I draw a comparison with, say, Bee Sting commentating in the NRL, at least his views about what a team is doing wrong or right are not limited to barracking for one side (a la what Fatty Vautin tends to do, particularly during State of Origin). I find myself emjoying the NZ commentators (don't know their names of the top) who commentate interestingly, don't barrack for one side (even if you would suspect they are wanting the SB's to win) and talk as if they are commnetating for people who understand the game a bit. Anyone (or everyone) else agree? Haven't watched the Wales test yet (been camping down the south coast) but will note the Weslh commentary when i watch the recording tonight.
Tim Reardon
Guest
The Bajada is also known as the 8 man shove. The Bajada requires the hooker to act as a thrid prop, keeping both feet on the ground and not striking for the ball. The halfback holds the ball out of the scrum - waits for the scrum to stabilise, calls for the 8 man shove (sometimes the shove is called by a prop or hooker) and feeds the ball in the same motion. The 8 man scrum then surges forward, usually just one step and the motion of the pack moving forward wins the ball (the defending hooker is not able to strike, as he is moving both feet backwards to stay upright). The ball is effectivly won by the lose head props feet stepping over the ball. Once momemtum is gained, the aim is that the ball remains stationary on the field as every forward pushes over the ball, providing the perfect base for the half-back to collect a stable ball without loose forwards nearby. The essentials are similar to that described in the SA Rugby piece linked above. There are technical differences from coaches in regards to the perfect bind and foot positioing for the Bajada, but these are the basics. All 8 forwards bind tightly. There is no vertical or lateral movement in the frint row. No attempts to lift, take down or bore in or out. One flat face and platform moving forward. Props bound tight by the locks. locks bound tight by the no 8, etc. Very basic scrummaging technique. It works well until you met a pack like the Wallabies had around 2000. Smaller, nimble props which do not provide a flat scrum face to pack against. The Wallabies developed an innovative approach to srumaging with players like Bill Young being technically capable of shifting the weight, or splitng the weight, of the opponents through a technique sometimes called "boring in" on the hooker. the effect is that it breaks the bind betweeen the hooker and prop unsettling the forward moving scrum. The Wallabies alternated their pressure in the front row, sometimes height as well, and as a consequence when the attacking team 'shoved' they would move forward, but without balance. Their scrum would weild to one side eliminating the option of a second shove, moving the Wallabies lose forwards closer to the ball and most importantly allowing the defending hooker (mostly Jeremy Paul at the time) the opportunity to strike for the ball. These scrums often look messy as the the structure of both packs is lost. But the Wallabies upset many packs with this looser structured scrum. This approach is not however suitable for scrums on your own feed. The problem is that on your own feed you need a stable platform for the halfback to receive the ball and a pack that is moving forward. If your own pack splits or goes to ground you are likely to give away a penalty. The issues with the current wallabies sccrum are accurately descibed in the SARugby article. A very tight binding, with no vertical or horizontal movement in the front row, would provide a better target for tightly bound locks to apply pressure, during an attaciking scrum. These are not problems with any one player, rather they are systemic issues associated with technique which could be addressed through coaching. Alterantively, from the coaches perspective, this analysis is simple, it is the exucution on the field that is the problem.
Mike G
Guest
Agree WB, but I must admit to being a tad worried about the lack of size in the backline...I'm a massive fan of Will Chambers, so perhaps he could be the next longetrm 13...or McCabe is good too.
Worlds Biggest
Guest
Why do we need to sign Inglis ?. The backline is shaping up well plus others will return from injury and good youngsters coming through so plenty of depth. I'd rather the money go towards all these guys then a bloke who changes his mind at the drop of a hat. In saying that the Wallaby front row could do with his beef !.
Jason
Guest
Compared to say Cullen, Lomu and Goldie at their peak? Or Joe and Howlett? All confirmed sub 11 sec 100m sprints.
Marc Dellapia
Guest
Who watched the All Blacks game? What was your impression of Sonny Bill? Now would be the only chance we have got to sign Greg Inglis.
Worlds Biggest
Guest
Why are people making excuses for the porous scrum like poor surface etc... That is a contributor however when you play in the NH you must prepare for dicey surfaces and wet conditions. Wales kept there footing no problem. As for Bennelongs comments on jetlag, how long is the flight from Hong Kong to London - 10, 12 hours ?. Can't see that playing a part really as these guys are well used to the travel. Noriega must simply fix this mess quickly or we will become the laughing stock once again if we aren't already.
captain nemo
Roar Guru
Here's a different perspective you don't see on TV or in the press. Well done to the Wallabies for letting us see a behind the scenes view of the team post match http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NVNktDLK2r0
Marcel Proust
Guest
I corrected myself on that. Perhaps it too was erased...
Ben S
Roar Guru
I see. Very sharp indeed. Very good, CD.
Cattledog
Guest
With Morahan on the bench! WOW fast!
Cattledog
Guest
Play on words, Ben. Beating another team means you win, no? Wallabies beat Wales, ABs beat England...aaaah, forget it!
Joh4Canberra
Roar Rookie
Whàt dö yôù méàn wë càn't dö acçênts? Are you saying that people don't know how to type them or that The Roar won't display them?
Ben S
Roar Guru
Don't follow, CD?
Marc Dellapia
Guest
Hey guys i got a question? The back 3 in the midweek game will be - Davies, Hynes and Turner. My question is who is the slowest between those 3 and in what order? It would have to be the quickest back 3 in the history of the game don't you think?
bennalong
Guest
Thanks DHE, I suppose Noriega must cop some flack as scrum coach, but Dingo's reference didn't explain why the scrum from last year is no longer as potent. My suspicion is that although fit to play neither Robinson nor Alexander have returned to pre-injury strength. Add Faiinga as hooker and thingsget worse. But I also believe that the surface disadvantages the Wallabies far more than the NH teams or the AB's who are used to playing on pitches suitable for grazing dairy cows. Further, if you're relying on technique to overcome weight disadvantage a firm footing is critical. Keeping the rain off for the preceding two weeks would doubtless have allowed the surface to firm up so I cannot understand those who rush to defend the Welsh pitch or their tactics So the scrum remains a problem, and one which Polotenau, also coming back from injury, cannot be expected to fix. It is apparent that the entire pack will need to be binding tight and pushing hard, a lesson we should have learned. Nevertheless this was a win away after a trip that takes longer than the one to SA which is seen as a big hurdle in the TN. The jetlag should be out of play this week. Further, despite the foreward glitches our backline of juniors knows how to play fast and furious now and appear to be enterprising and adaptable. Beale has shown the critics what has always been on the cards, that given a bit of maturity, his prodigious innate talents would make him a rugby star. Similarly with O'Connor! This kid is twenty but even playing out of position, (does he have one) the baggers are choking on their bile. Gits seems superfluous now I'm sad to say and if we're playing field position I'd prefer Barnes. Will he kick too much? Pity we won't see Tuesdays game. But he certainly adds starch to the defence! Now AAC isn't one of the juniors but I'd say he complements them just fine with his ability under the high ball and his rock solid defense. That leaves Mitchell who is the classic winger but as the encumbent only a whisker in front of Turner (improved by his Sevens stint) and maybe Davies. Did I leave out Quade? ................this bloke is the key. He just draws 'em to him like a magnet then slips the ace.....a pass out the back......a jink inside.........stick to their back ....or simply pass 40 metres. He's the IT man! Keep criticising him if you must but he's bigger than his critics and he's getting better. I'm worried by the English scrum but I look foreward to the magic our team brings!!!!!!!!! GO the WALLABIES!