Wallabies win on paper, but did they really win?

I have just finished watching the Wallabies Vs Italy game from the weekend. While I am pleased that we won, I wonder if I was as a Wallaby fan? And can the win be seen as a win? While the score indicates it was, what did the Wallabies achieve?

I should start with the fact that while we pushed a few passes in the first half, at least we were entertaining. I know there have been articles written on how the Wallabies need patience, but this was the best game to start to try these things.

We were always going to win this one, so why not be adventurous?

I am also very happy that for the first time in a while as the referee actually penalised on what was going on in the scrums, not the perception.

This Italian side is not in the same group as Wales and England. Yet I think they should feel a little unlucky not to have toppled the Wallabies. Early on in the second half, if a few passes had stuck, they would have hit the front. This, I believe, would have changed the game entirely.

Again we seemed to lack the fire and passion (see my article last week), while the Italians were pumped. Perhaps like it has been said, playing the second verse of the national anthem put us off.

But that is no excuse.

I ask the question, when breaks in play occur – e.g. injuries – why aren’t our forwards huddled together revving each other up?

I also question some of the decisions made when we receive a penalty. Obviously in a Test you need to take all points on offer, but, when you have the opposition under pump, isn’t it better to keep the pressure on? Taking a shot at goal gives the opposition time to regroup.

Take for example the Melbourne Bledisloe this year.

Richie McCaw infringes by coming in from the side (no surprises there) and he and the team are given a warning. The penalty was on about the halfway line, our kicking had not been great all year, the All Blacks are under a warning pressure.

Wouldn’t that have been an ideal situation to go for touch? I mean, we all know Ritchie will infringe, why not push the point?

More than likely an All Black would have infringed and given a yellow, we would have been closer to the posts for an easier attempt as well. But no we opt for a penalty, miss and the AB’s work it back down field.

I also question our tactic of kicking the ball away. Surely we have learned recently that this doesn’t work for us. Look at the games we have won or been winning. During the periods where we get in front, it stems from the fact that we hang on to the ball.

If you look at the games we have lost – especially those where we were in front – we tend to kick the ball away. As a fan this is frustrating and worse of all boring.

I listened to Peter Peter’s on Sunday morning and the comment from his colleague is that he tapes the Wallabies spring tour games and gets up in the morning to watch them.

He said he gets to fast forward through the non-playing bits. He said it took 45 minutes to watch the Test last Saturday.

I do not agree with most comments on Rugby on that particular radio show as they tend to be only about making rugby look inferior to rugby league, but as much as it pains me, I agree.

As a fan, I demand more for my money.

So what can the Wallabies take from the game? All I can think of was a lot of good sightseeing, and, perhaps a turning point from the scrum. For me it was a hollow victory.

If we continue to play the way we do – especially kicking the ball to opposition with superior kicking and ball return skills – we will be beaten by the French this weekend.

I challenge the Wallabies to prove me wrong this weekend.

The French will be primed, in front of a home crowd. We need to gather ourselves and encourage the team; get the fire going. I want to see Rocky yelling out his troops to follow him into the trenches.