Australian rugby union player Will Genia at Wallabies training. AAP Image/Paul Miller
I like the idea of ‘Generation Y’ more than the reality. It gives me something to blame for the Wallabies form. Them, they, those young fellas with the funny haircuts and no respect for their elders – that’s who’s done it. Or isn’t doing it.
They’re all brand this and marketing that. On a side note about marketing – wasn’t it great to see Riki Flutey finally get to wear an All Black jersey?
But let’s not lower the tone of the conversation too far. Stick to the point: Generation Y and how they all look like one of David Bowie’s less successful incarnations.
Thank god, by the way, for blokes like Brad Thorn and Simon Shaw. They’re the last fellas still playing at the top level who are older than me.
Sorry, back to my mark. Now I’m going to show a little flash of Generation Y-esque brilliance myself and change the Y to why (see what I did there?) and ask a few questions about this particular generation.
Why is it that Digby Ioane can still play like he does for the Reds when he wears a Wallaby jumper (or should we start calling it a swimsuit because I sure as hell do not have any jumpers that look like that) but Quade Cooper reverts to the nervous and frustrated 2008 version of himself?
Cooper’s kicking game in this year’s Super rugby season was brilliant, but for the Wallabies he has kicked like a drunk trying to shake of a pair of soiled undies.
Why doesn’t James O’Connor look to pass when he makes those amazing breaks of his?
Why did Will Genia reduce his influence on the field to a passing role when, as others have pointed out, a strong running game from him, much as he provides for the Reds, would have been the correct response to the All Black’s defensive pattern?
The ability of the Reds playmakers to change their game according to the opposition was an absolute highlight of their 2011 season, but in the gold speedos they looked flustered and indecisive.
Now I’m not too sure about the boundaries of this generational classification thingy, so I don’t know where Rocky Elsom sits in all of this, but I’m just going to go ahead and ask the obvious question.
Why is Rocky Elsom the captain of the Wallabies?
Whether you subscribe to the idea that leadership is born or bred, Elsom satisfies neither criteria. He looks uncomfortable in the role and the added responsibility has reduced his usually high standards of play.
I could be snide and suggest that rugby teams get the captains they deserve but when I look at the quality of the Wallaby starting XV I just don’t believe that.
As a captain, Rocky falls into the category of those who have had the responsibility thrust upon them but there is scant reason for this to be the case. There are at least four stronger candidates for the job:
Nathan Sharpe. Captained two Super rugby teams and once led a very successful raid on the Super Chicken outside Brisbane’s RE Hotel during a mammoth session circa 1997 (my memory of the event and its exact date is a bit hazy).
James Horwill. Here’s a bloke who absolutely lapped up the responsibility when he turned from a bit of a loose cannon into the cornerstone of the Reds resurgence. Like Sharpe plays in the natural captains position but unlike Sharpe has his best years ahead of him.
Will Genia. Looks like a captain, talks like a captain, plays like a captain. Probably eats, sleeps and roots like a captain, but that’s nobody’s business but his own.
David Pocock. Has potential stamped all over him.
For my money it’s Horwill by a Nullarbor mile with Genia playing the mouthy vice-captain role (I’m picturing Joe Pesci in Goodfellas), but I’d be happy with any of the above if only to relieve Rocky from the post.
Having said that, Scott Higginbotham made a pretty good impression of both Errol Flynn and a starting flanker last weekend so the pressure on Rocky is surely mounting.
For answers to all of these questions I look to Robbie Deans.
Now I know we can’t all say it yet because quite frankly we’ve all invested too much in seeing him succeed, but just pretend it is ten years in the future when we have all accepted that Deans failed as a Wallaby coach and everyone has forgotten that we once supported his appointment. Kind of like how we all look back on the Eddie Jones years now.
Just go on and get yourself to that head space, think about the possible extension to Deans’ contract and ask this question: why?
Rugby Diehard
Guest
Watch The huddle after the game and check the blokes doing the passionate laying down of the law in the wallaby huddle. Messers horwill and genia...... 2 blokes who are not going to take losing laying down. Secondly, I can't believe any dimwit could criticise genia's game - try Playing 9 in a pack being smashed and produce a better performance than that against a revved up all blacks side....
Garth Hamilton
Roar Guru
“How does one root like a captain?” OMEmu, this could be the single most important question that has ever been asked on this or any other forum.
Garth Hamilton
Roar Guru
yep - i wish i had written that line. best sentence on the page.
Simon
Guest
I expect many English football fans would agree with you. Unless the Wallabies perform miracles at the RWC, I suspect Deans has lost any chance of coaching the ABs in the future.
rae1
Guest
As a kiwi I was astounded that deans was given the coaching job in the first place. Australian for australians i would have thought. I am a firm believer that a national coach cannot be 100% comitted if they are from another country no matter how well they know the anthem, wear the green and gold and have a cutesy nickname (dingo deans), I dont think the foreign coaches are able to ignite the mongrel out of a player.Eventually deans will come back to nz and look at this time as an experiment sorry experience nothing more.Vote Ewen next time, he will be 100%.
AdamS
Guest
Warren, re Sonny Bill Who, I think if it was just money with the All Blacks out of the picture he would get more back in France, both in terms of cash and celebrete' This is a game move by his agent to get either more money from a province or more game time from Henry. No doubt Henry wanted to win the game, I just think that perhaps by using tactics so specifically suited to killing off the obvious Wallaby Plan A he may have shot his wad. Robbie now has quite a while to work on a counter that still makes the most of the desired Wallaby style.
rae1
Guest
Absolutely,we thought his physicality in the game was right up there,sure he missed a few tackles but he wasn't alone.One of the few wallabies I enjoy watching(especially the aftermatch comments) he is straight up,pulls no punches
rae1
Guest
Im surprised its taken so long for you guys to realise that deans will do what suits deans.The guy will erase any player that challenges him in the slightest.Just ask Christian Cullen,George Smith,Matt Giteau,just a few of many players discarded before their time.
JB
Guest
I'll never forget Richie McCaw saying "It's easy to be captain and tell others what to do if your the best player on the park"
JB
Guest
Can't be Steve more because TPN is so devastating and Moore's place isn't guarenteed... Same with Berrick
Fog
Guest
Rubbish, the Wallabies look nothing like the 2003 ABs who hammered full strength Springbok and Wallaby sides in going through the Tri-Nations undefeated. The Wallabies would be delighted to look like the 2003 ABs but of that there is as yet no sign whatsoever. And Quade Cooper remains a second rate version of the ABs flyhalf of that year, Carlos Spencer.
Nick_KIA
Guest
I thought Rocky was one of the better Aus forwards on the weekend.
Nick_KIA
Guest
Yep love it. I'm going to try and work that into conversation today.
warrenexpatinnz
Roar Guru
AdamS the ABs were primed to win the Eden Park game, as should of the Wallabies have been but the loss has not derailed the Wallabies or knocked any belief that they can still win it and the other two tests prior to RWC but with the ABs any loss, especially at home would have/will hurt them as their supporter base, their media would throw up the doubting questions straight away. So I guess the ABs are showing a lot, earlier than needed. Deans was employed to win the RWC, of course winning trophies on the way makes up part of that deal but that isn't the cruncher, holding up Bill is. Probably have too much time on my hands and getting a tad over the top but I am from a generation that supports my country and whoever plays for us. Maybe be home in time for the Lions tour, have had a lot of Kiwi friends leave NZ, including wifes family for Queensland and WA, the worrying thing for NZ is the people leaving aren't moaning Aussies like me (joke eh as love NZ and help out were we can) but all nationalities and hard working middle class peolpe. I even see in a report, a windup? SBW looking at the Waratahs.
Ben S
Roar Guru
'… surely time to change the record – or at the very least try and be factual with the trolling' Seconded.
Ben S
Roar Guru
Fruean is one of the best players in the world? Kahui is one of the best players in the world? Really?
ChrisT
Guest
Yep, you're absolutely right. So .... this team aint finished. Cooper hasn't finished his test apprecticeship and any comparisons to Carter are rediculous. Beale looks fantastic against average opposition and looks less fantastic against good (starngely) but will only improve. O'Connor offers options as a winger, a kicker, a full back and possibly even a centre - but is not particularly great at any of them. Ioane is the real deal. The centre options are average at best. Genia like Beale looks fantastic when under less pressure but still has a test apprenticeship to serve and will get better. The pack, as I've said before, has too many players who would struggle for a game in the any of the top five nations packs. Ranked second in the world, the Wallabies are still very capable of losing to any of the top five and are still some distance away from the AB's. Why was anyone suprised or even disappointed about Saturday's result?
PMac
Guest
It is impossible for Elsom to be a "follow me" Thorn like captain. He jumped off a Waratahs sinking ship for some coin, then spurned that team (who graciously released him from his contract) when he returned he didn't return to his old club - instead jumped he went to Brumbies hoping to join a winning team - now that Gits was back in it. The Brumbies went downhill, he rarely played for them and was never a part of the team. The Waratah and Brumbies wallabies squad members don't respect him and the other guys are wary of him. Simply put, he hasn't earned the respect from the players through his actions. As a player, certainly I'd consider him worthy to be in the squad and maybe in the team depending on form.
kingplaymaker
Roar Guru
darwin I must say it's extraordinary how New Zealanders will never, never concede there is a single thing wrong with any aspect of their team or coaching. You seem to think it's all 100% perfect!
Rugby Diehard
Guest
i second that.