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Wallabies, for once, please prove me wrong

Roar Guru
23rd August, 2011
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Roar Guru
23rd August, 2011
52
2887 Reads

As an avid fan of the Wallabies, mixed with the generally optimistic nature Australians possess, it is really hard for me to ever truly write off the Wallabies in any Test as I always believe there is chance of victory. It’s the Australian way.

However, as I ponder this further, another famous Australian trait is to ‘call a spade a spade’ and it’s in that vein, I must sadly say, I think this current crop of Wallabies are missing two key ingredients to their sustainable success recipe.

1. Respect
There must be respect on every level of the operation. Starting with respect for yourself, respect for your team mates, respect for jumper, respect for your opposition and respect for the game and its fans.

There are some Wallabies who personify all these traits; Horwill, Genia, Moore, Vickerman, Elsom and Pocock to name a few.

However, there are others such as James O’Connor and Quade Cooper that I believe the jury is still out on.

I think both are rare talents however I am not sure if they are totally comitted to the Wallaby cause or perhaps more to their own ‘Rugby Brand’.

Boys please prove me wrong. I want to believe that you put Australia above yourselves!

2. Do whatever it takes to win.

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I don’t think the current crop of Wallabies have the killer instict of great Wallaby teams such as the Wallabies of ’78, ’79 and ’80, who beat the Welsh and All Blacks.

The Wallabies of ’84 and ’86 who won the Grand Slam and Bledisloe; the 1991 and 1999 World Cup teams and the latter which also won Bledisloes, Tri-Nations and defeated the British and Irish Lions.

There is no doubt the current Wallabies are talented, at times brilliant, at times just plain awful.

But what is also really obvious is that they miss that final bit of grunt, that mongrel, that extra 10% which can’t be coached.

It has to become part of the Wallaby mindset and culture that the winning of ‘the rugby’ alone will not get the job done.

Victory depends on a single-minded determination that, as a group, a back-step will not be taken and the opposition must be confronted at the coal face.

Rugby is a contact sport. Learn to love the contact.

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I have been fortunate enough that Wallabies past have been kind enough to share their opinions on this same matter:

Topo Rodriguiez:
“In 1986 we were single minded towards our objectives from the first minute we set our feet in New Zealand. Before leaving Sydney we believed it was possible to win the Bledisloe Cup (Alan made sure of it).

At least 80% of our team had the burning desire to achieve something and we were prepared to make the sacrifices needed, we were prepared to pay the price!

We were told about the Gucci Factor a zillion times = ‘The longer the price is forgotten – the quality remains’. Another very important factor: we had a top winning team that stayed together since June 1984 till September 1986 (38 months performing)”

Ross Turnbull:
“The All Blacks are probably the most successful sporting team in the world over the last 100 years. To beat them requires mental toughness, a total team commitment, a belief in yourself and your team. A team that never ever, ever gives in. A team that has the will to win, no matter what.”

Tony Shaw:
“In ’78 at Eden Park and in winning the Bledisloe Cup in ’79 and retaining it in ’80, it was about commitment, passion and taking the All Blacks on up front.”

It is possibly a momentous week for Australian rugby.

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We are on the cusp of potentially winning the Tri-Nations, defeating the All Blacks, and consigning them to back-to-back victories on the eve of the Rugby World Cup.

What a fantastic position we would find ourselves in to launch our own campaign. I believe this can be achieved if we get our respect and commitment levels right.

Sadly, though, I have my doubts. Come on Australia please prove me wrong!

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