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I have been reading a bunch of things about where the Wallabies went wrong in the Test against England: kicking the ball away (which I thought we were over), bad tackling (interesting that we sack John Muggleton and our defence turns to custard), and so on.
For all the things we did wrong, the thing I believe was worst was the lack of fire in the players. It reminded me of the 2007 RWC quarter final. The Australian players sauntered out on the field, while the English bolted out. They huddled and fired each other up. We just stood around looking like we had won. And England beat us.
So I watch the game the other night. I see Lewsey firing up the English. The Aussies looking like they are having a group hug. I watch after Australia score – they get together, again calling for passion. Look at the Springboks. Smit calls the team in and keeps firing them up.
Look at some of the great Wallabies sides.
Each one had a player or players that would get the team together and set them on a direction, such as John Eales, Nick Far-Jones, Andrew Slack etc. Even in the face of mounting points they still would get the team together.
Think back to the 2000 Bledisloe. We nearly pinched that because Eales kept the team fired up. Now look at the current Wallabies. Usually they are just left contemplating what happened.
I am not questioning Rocky Elsom here – though some of his decisions are questionable – but the team in general. We seem preoccupied with getting the technicalities right, but none on fire and passion.
I think we have the team skills to win the World Cup next year. But we won’t until we get some fire in our bellies. Perhaps a call to Roy Masters?
A little face slapping might wake the Wallabies up.
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.