Wallabies coach Robbie Deans defended the value of midweek tour games after his second-string side was ambushed by Irish province Munster in a loss which only heaped more pressure on the Test team.
The clash with the two-time European champions might have been a genuine selection trial for this weekend’s Test against Italy following winger James O’Connor’s return home on compassionate leave and Deans putting Test spots up for grabs after the heavy loss to England.
But weather conditions at Limerick’s Thomond Park were so atrocious, and the Australians handled them so badly, little insight could be had into the fringe players’ Test potential.
The side trip to Ireland for the match, which has required the team to take a charter flight from Limerick to Florence, has also eaten into training time for the Test squad.
The Wallabies fell into a time-honoured Munster trap, losing 15-6 in a game which lived up to all the tour match mythology – the weather was wild, the punches flew and the touring team lost, much to the pleasure of the recession-hit locals.
Munster extended a remarkable hold over the touring Wallabies having now won their last four meetings, including in 1967, 1981 and 1992, while the 1958 clash was drawn and Australia’s only success came through an injury time try in the inaugural meeting in 1947.
A wild brawl erupted late in the first half on Tuesday, with even the wingers running in to get a piece of the action.
Australian captain Berrick Barnes seemed to struggle to find much to take out of the match.
“At the end of the day we’re going to walk away from this experience and we won’t be whingeing about any conditions we play under in Australia,” he said.
Despite the potential for careers to have been damaged more than boosted, Deans argued the experience was invaluable to the build-up to the Rugby World Cup.
“Some might suggest it was a futile exercise for us. I disagree,” he said.
“It was fantastic because this group of players don’t get the opportunity to play this sort of contest often.
“Hence we opted to play the English champions (Leicester last week) and the Irish champions essentially.
“This is the closest thing to World Cup rugby that we can get.”
He admitted, though, that he’d been left none the wiser as to his Test line-up.
“To that end, it probably wasn’t ideal because it was difficult for individuals to thrive out there,” he said.
Ironically it was an Australian, 29-year-old former sevens international Paul Warwick, who kicked his side to victory with three penalty goals and two drop goals.
“I probably feel for the Australians, being Australian,” he said.
“It was horrible, it was miserable, it’s something that we’re probably brought up on, well, me being a Munster man now of course.”
The Wallabies now head to Florence in a disrupted week with the pressure of avoiding a third straight defeat on tour.
At least Italy will be more stodgy gnocchi than light linguini after former Kangaroos half Craig Gower was ruled out of Saturday’s match with a knee injury which may require surgery.
“I’m sure the Azzurri are looking at the tape (of the 35-18 England loss) licking their lips,” said centre Adam Ashley-Cooper, who will play his 50th Test.
“They’re going to think they’re in with a good chance against us.”
MasonParks
Guest
GB you can't be serious with the rubbish you are spurting in here. The last time the Wallabies played they lost to Munster. P.s what do the Wallabies have to show for their efforts against the ABs this year?
Karlos
Guest
No plastc bottles thrown. How about the headline "Springboks Drug Cheats Destroy Rugby Credibility" Where are these headlines plastered about Rugby Union drugs and brawling?
ohtani's jacket
Guest
What a crock. The Wallabies have a glass jaw.
goldenbull
Guest
haha yeah nice one...last time you played the wallabies you lost! take it on the chin just like the wallabies have with their lose to england..... let me guess the all blacks were tired....get over yourself and admit defeat!
goldenbull
Guest
Im not making excuses for a wallaby team to be beaten by munster. The win over the all blacks was a fluke and when the all blacks ever lose its a fluke, listen to yourself! never lose gracefully do you? tell me the last time the all blacks lost that you truely beleive the other team was the better team
warrenexpatinnz
Guest
Almost t in cheek rab but think the Wallabies need to spy on the ABs recovery sessions as they played well up on where they played England the week before. Ruben Wiki wasn't a guest with some relaxing Karva in the change rooms at Twickers; got there real quick after the Kiwis beat the Roos in league on the only Quantas plane left flying?
warrenexpatinnz
Guest
Loathe them that much Bayboy I hang an All Black flag up in the shop, we even, god forbid have a signed 2009 BOP jersey up. Love NZ rugby, the passion and the competition but of course I will bag them, undermine from the power of the media :) Unfortunately my very dry sense of humor is a curse and my wealth of rugby coaching expertise is evident for all too see, not! The only strong criticism I say is for those that give way to personal attacks on coaches and players, whether it be on or off the field however taking the piss is good both ways. Treat my comments mostly in jest Bayboy, mostly.
MasonParks
Guest
After reading your post I laughed so hard I lost my breath. You have the gall to accusse Kiwis of being arrogant and this is what you come up with. I do believe it was actually 17 players who were missing from Munsters roster.
MasonParks
Guest
You have the gall to call Kiwis arrogant. Pull your head in GB!
warrenexpatinnz
Guest
Pay that one!:)
warrenexpatinnz
Guest
Jason if you put yourself out there any slip ups are always going to get magnified. I admire Deans for having the courage to do this and for the sweeping changes he has brought through though some of this has been at school level, club level, sponsorship level and not well publicised. The good thing for me about being a die hard Wallaby supporter is the thick skin you get over a period of time. Deans is a good coach, and I believe Deans is the right coach for this time now and whether or not we have a change of coaches after 2011 we will have to wait and see. However if another is appointed I believe they will quietly thank Deans for him taking all the crap on the rebuild of what was a 'living on the lustre of yester year' Wallaby culture. The difficult times he has faced doing this and taking very little present reward out of and receiving plenty of barbs in the process would knock most peoples resolve, not his. Far easier to knock a bloke than give them support eh Jason and I for one will support him as I do any guy in the Wallaby Jumper through until year dot. If I voice my displeasure and expunge my dearth of rugby coaching knowledge out into the wider roar population I hope any undermining comments are left for my Kiwi mates as think that boat needs way more rocking than the Wallaby one :)
Bayboy
Guest
You've always got something negative to say re the ABs warren i'm not surprised. Had the AB's played England in reverse order I'd confidently say they would more than matched and beaten them. But of course that doesn't fit with your loathing towards them. So no need to bother replying. Lets face it this Wallabies team is just not as good as you and many others have built them up to be.
Bayboy
Guest
The fact you come in here so aggressively only proves my point GB. The Wallabies lost to Munster who themselves were missing over 10 first choice players. The win in HK has proven to be a fluke over a very lethargic ABs outfit who already had everything in the bag. But of course your still trying to make from it than it is worth. The Wallabies had a scrappy win over Wales, were emphatically played off the park by the English and then went down to a club side in Ireland. Mate listen to yourself you smack of a desperate man
ozxile
Roar Pro
Excellent assessment Stillmissit. Nothing more to read here.
Dave
Guest
were there any bottles thrown to the players and spectators karlos?
Karlos
Guest
Gee you blokes make me laugh. A few weeks ago it was yet another new beginning after we beat NZ. Its also a new beginning in English Rugby after they beat The Wallabies and World Rugby is in a new beginning of spectacular open play because England scored two tries from 35 points and the SBW inspired All Blacks flogged a hapless Scotland. Where were the headlines "Brawls Mar Munster Win Over Pathetic Wallabies? "
jono
Guest
The games prove their value because the underdog won. Should a national side loose to a provincial team ... no. Learn how to adapt and play the game wallabies and keep in mind it rains in NZ... probably wind too .. probably right on the world cup next year.
Nathan
Roar Pro
The Wallabies have been Italy's bogey team of late.
DC
Guest
Does anyone know who the unlucky 7 are? Florence is such a lovely city it would be a shame for them to miss out on a trip to the Duomo.
goldenbull
Guest
the fact you have to bring this up shows that loss in hong kong realy hit a nerve! get over it, you played your full strength side in a match against the wallabies whom you hate to lose to and you lost.... before you can say anything, england deserved that win over my beloved wallabies.... see what I've done here? I admited we were beaten by a better side on the day, get over it you arrogant kiwis!