Leading up to the recent Test with the All Blacks, the exuberance of youth within the Wallabies shone through.
There were statements about “being able to carve up any team”, there was speculation about what Cooper might do and the brilliance of Beale and O’Conner. Unashamedly they talked themselves up.
The young man’s world is driven by his desire for status.
Part of his life’s journey into maturity is to understand that a man lets his actions speak for him – defining who he is in the process.
Whilst boys are “gunna do this, and gunna do that”, usually life contrives to never letting them actually do it.
Depending on which stage those gunna statements are made on, will determine the level of humility available to be experienced.
The Walla-boys played the All Blacks and were found wanting. After all the “talk” they did not meet the All Blacks challenge head on.
They had no “Mana” (fearlessness, resolve, courage, respect, humility). In the end the Walla-boys were just that – a bunch of gunnas – and they were humbled.
A week is a long time in any facet of life. Refreshingly, this last week, there were no bold statements being made about the Springboks. All that came through was respect, and sense of resolve and humility.
This game was played against the most experienced Springbok side ever. It is history now that the Wallabies won the game 14-9, but more importantly the Walla-boys became Walla-men and let their actions speak for themselves – they played with fearlessness, resolve, courage, respect for all and with humility – and in doing so they found their mana.
They took a major step on the journey into manhood. Well done.
The Rugby World Cup is a month away. It is a tournament where seven games have to be won in succession. Consistency will be the challenge for every team but especially the Wallabies.
A difficult path will be made easier if they front up with their Mana and all they have to worry about is the bounce of the ball and the referees call, knowing that every other challenge will be met head on! Go the Wallabies!
Taste it
Guest
M.O.C, In your linked article, your premise does not support your conclusion. How does cooper quotes, not being worried about the last abs game support your conclusion that "cooper has apparently decided that his poor game had nothing to do with him"? In fact, you have two conclusions in your finally paragraph, firstly starting with "so" then secondly "therefore", which also doesn't make sense. Your final conclusion is 'he has therefore learnt nothing from the loss" but again, where is your premise that supports this conclusion?
Red Rooster
Guest
against the worst Bok side for some time - still a good effort - btw the Wallabies are not as young as they bought in Sharpe and Samo to replace Simmons and McCalman - both 10 years older at least
niwdEyaJ
Guest
Rickety, I wouldn't be writing off our RWC ambitions if we lose at Suncorp in 2 weeks... we only have to beat the ABs once (if at all) to win the RWC so regardless of next fornights' result the slate will be swept clean, the wallabies will learn from the experience and have another crack at the RWC! Having seen the form of the other contenders, I think the Wallabies are playing a much higher standard of rugby than England, Ireland and Wales who have all been mediocre in their games so far. Should we write them off? No. Same way the ABs will not write us off, regardless of the result next fortnight. We're still very much the #1 threat to the ABs 2nd world cup at home and I think we're building nicely. This team needs to lose a few to keep things in perspective.. they're not like the ABs or SA who have the composure and mental toughness to keep the intensity win after win. That comes with experience and with a bit of luck one more game, win or lose, against the ABs will be enough for them to understand how to get through the toughest of games.
Nathan of Perth
Guest
So you're saying that the Boks deserved to win for having less stamina? uhh... interesting take on the matter...
flying hori
Guest
Spiro, the wallas were LUCKY to win! straight up, the Boks were tired in the 2nd half, 1st time together and 1st game for most of them in weeks, keep the feet on the ground, they are still boys!
Will
Guest
Serioulsy, I think Australian Rugby Supporters have lost the plot. Like a bunch of whinging whining girls. Fair enough performances have been inconsistent, but let's remember Deans has just achieved two wins in South Africa in 2 years with a very young Wallaby side, the win in Blomefontein was the first at altitude in over 4 decades! Jones and Connolly won their once in 9 years... Being second best to the All Blacks right now is a pretty good spot to be in. Anything can happen in a one off test. The fact is the All Blacks side is better than we are right now man for man.
sixo_clock
Roar Guru
Agree with you on this. The talent QC has is not essential to a Rugby team, but it is fun to watch when he gets it right but it looks self indulgent when he is off the boil. If he had a good Rugby brain it would caution him to play within himself at first. And it could just be playing against the AB's that creates a little emotional torrent in his mind. Twice now he has given Richie pushes and shoves after a whistle which I find ridiculous and childish. Not a good look or a good advert for the game. He gets away with it because he is protected by the ref which makes it appear churlish. Maybe they could settle the matter in the ring! Big But. He brings in young punters and like it or not that is a huge bonus. Would that were otherwise but we have gone pro and we ain't going back, not for us grumpy old men anyway.
Kuruki
Guest
Just how far these Wallaby players have come will be revealed in Brisbane. . There they will be put under pressure again like at Eden park, that will be the true test of how much they have or have not improved. Take very little from last weeks result, as it will be a very long time before they ever face a Spring bok side that play's that poorly.
William
Guest
Jeees Quade, were you at the game in SA? Never noticed you except a guy looking like you lets ball bounce and had the TMO in his pocket.
Rickety Knees
Roar Guru
Thanks Sixo - what is becoming apparent to me is that under the influence of his boxing bro's Cooper may become a liability to the team if keeps shooting his mouth off. He is no doubt setting himself up for his next big contract, perhaps as a package with SBW. Unfortunately he appears to be putting his interests in front of the teams. I just wish that he would let his rugby do his talking - but guys like him are totally focused on building their brand ......
sixo_clock
Roar Guru
Cheers RK. Well experience tells me that if the media stick a mic in his face a youngster is 'gunna' say something and Twitter has no educational filter (yet). Its what happens on the paddock that really matters. The difference in the two sides (Eden Park - Kings Park) was stark. Can it possibly be that finally the 'team' has emerged? You know the one that plays for each other, makes the effort, is there when needed, knows what the other players are good at and where they may struggle and fills those gaps. We have fast penetrating backs to finish the job but they seem to know now that pressure is cumulative and requires patience. Rugby has always been a game that rewards group efforts. It is what defines us and separates us from other codes. The understanding of the absolute necessity that all 15 are on the same page is becoming apparent in this squad. If that is continued, worked on in particular by the players themselves, for themselves, then only Lady Luck can intervene. Bring the beeatch out lets give her a rumble, and she can wear her favourite black dress if she wants. And if the 'boys' can learn not to telegraph punches then they will become better men for it.
Argyle
Roar Guru
I would go with Vickermann every day of the week and twice on Sunday. To Sharpies credit though he did disrupt a little of Matfields ball and has been playing some OK footy. As you say Chisholm is not fit, Simmonds and Horwill are given selections and age should not be an issue as Brad Thorn is still doing the business at 35/36 whatever he is. I think Deans may shock us though and go with Timani (why else did he take him to SA) or maybe even Dean Mumm. I for one think we should go with Sharpe as experience really counts in those big games and world cups are not blooding grounds.
Taste it
Guest
Where is the ABC link where cooper (or any other AUS player) blames the ref and everyone else?
Geoff Brisbane
Guest
Now they are starting to talk themselves up like walla -women
kaha
Guest
OK joeb I'll come back later to see if you have any other comments.
joeb
Guest
thanks for clearing that up for me Kaha, though i think Spiro just supported my case - see if i can locate that critical sentence, but let's not hold our breath. it;s lunch time here.
kaha
Guest
joeb they do. Again if they miss or get it. they restart from different places so different thing are going to happen,.
joeb
Guest
"people go on about those three penalty misses. What a load of rubbish," yes and how many times have the ABs won tests simply on the ability of their kicker over the years? Carter from memory didn't miss a kick all night. "the penalty argument is nonsense, the fact of the matter was that the AB’s did not allow us to play the way we wanted to, fullstop." as long as you both agree - RK and Kaha - that drop goals don't make any difference to a match's outcome either, I'm all the way with you boys! "If you don’t understand this just think about it for a while, it will come to you." :) where's Sheek when i need him on my side...
kiwidi
Guest
also look at at ABC coopers mouth again ,they don't like losing and blaim refs and everyone else but them,go all blacks in SA and Brisbane,SOMEONE PLEASE STOP COOPERS MOUTH (shame hes kiwi) but real Aussie now
Gary Russell-Sharam
Guest
I HAVE TO SAY I'M STILL VERY DOUBTFUL THAT THE WALLABIES CAN STRING MORE THAN TWO WINS TOGETHER. That off my chest I thought the test on the weekend was a much improved performance. Even though I'm a avid supporter of Higginbotham I think he is a number 6 not an 8 but he is better than McCalaman. Samo looked good for the time he was on as did Ant Faingaa. In respect to Faingaa I would go so far as to start him in place of AAC and put AAC on the bench as he can cover centre, wing and fullback. In respect to the SAs I too am of the opinion that Smith is now a luxury that they can not afford he is and was a great captain but sadly his playing days are behind him. he in all seriousness would make a great coach for SA