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.
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.
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.
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!
Big Boppa
Guest
So if the Reds can do it where is the impediment for the Wallabies ??
Ben S
Roar Guru
And I think if Jonny Wilkinson had kicked 'that' goal in Perth England may have won that game... I'm not sure re: the England scrum. We have scrummaged excellently against NZ, France, Italy, Ireland and Wales in recent months, but had problems with SA, although personally I think that's because Mtawarira is simply an incompetent prop who scrummages illegally. I think that Robinson is a loss, but I'd wager that Sheridan would simply overpower Alexander if those two were to meet. I haven't seen enough of Kepu at Test level to hold any firm opinions of him yet.
warrenexpatinnz
Roar Guru
Sorry Uncle, agree with Skills and Bazza. Who is a mature enough before twenty five to handle $400k a year, press, groupies, alcohol and live in a fish bowl. Wish I had of been!
cookee
Guest
BIG BOPPA, with age comes maturity,lack of techno savvy and misunderstanding of new generational factors. what is required is good LEADERSHIP (the overused word)from coaches and administrators. allow creativity and freedom but demand RESPECT. REDS coach ewen mckenzie had his staff well briefed in this difficult area and achieved. do you agree? WALLABIES TO WIN THIS SUNCORP ENCOUNTER
Argyle
Roar Guru
I agree when Australia has beaten Engalnd the Wallaby scrum has been able to compete with Engalands. I think if Matt Giteau kicked 'that' goal in Perth we may have won the game so there is not much set piece can do about that. I have seen the England RWC squad and as always looks strong up front. If this Wallaby team were to face them in a final I have much more confidence now that say 12-24 months ago in the Wallaby scrum. Actualli really hope we play England in a semi to see if I am right.
Argyle
Roar Guru
Mate I see your point but can't agree. JOC is no ordinary 20 year old. We can't compare him with a 3rd year Uni student or 4th year apprentice living a life out of the public eye. The man is a Wallaby and has signed off on a certain amout of privacy of his life. Nature of the beast. However I have always been told if you want to know the charachter of a person watch what they do, not what they say. In rugby terms JOC oozes talent but has yet to win a Super 15 or guide Australia to a famous series win. He is no Mark Ella, no Stephen Larkham, no Michael Lynagh. In fact he does not even stack up against those guys. Both Ella and Lynagh were playing for the Wallabies at a similar age. Never got any bad mail on them? Never heard them bang on about 'their' rugby over the teams performance. The game has not changed that much. If his heart and soul was bent on winning the RWC he would not have missed the naming of the team and LET HIS TEAM MATES DOWN. Its not so much about JOC its about himself its how he effects the playing group. He might be brilliant but he has to start putting others before himself if he wants to be great..at anything!
Argyle
Roar Guru
Mate apparently red and white are not a good mix? Just a rumour I have heard at my fathers support group...that meets at a local watering hole...on occaision.
Bazza All Black
Guest
Totally agree, maybe we should cast our minds back to our 20's, then add in woman throwing themselves at us, tons of money.. ..how do you think you would do... ..he is just a young man...hes had a kick up the bum and now will get on with it...
Skills & Techniques
Guest
I believe JOC is about 20. He's a kid. He slept in once. He sometimes regurgitates corny stuff about "brands" that his manager tells him. What's with the massive character assassination by media that is convincing everybody he is a bad egg. What a witch hunt. It's more likely he's a brilliant guy whose heart and soul is hell bent on winning RWC for Australia. Has anyone noticed a split second's lack of commitment from him on the field ever? I REPEAT. HE SLEPT IN ONCE. He's 20ish. Get over it and support the young man who will bring us great joy as rugby fans for the next 10+ years. -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download The Roar's iPhone App in the App Store here.
Ben S
Roar Guru
'Look at the amount of time and effort they put into the set pieces last time and it wasn’t where the game was won and lost.' You can transfer that to the losses to England too.
Big Boppa
Guest
So if you have made these observation what are you doing on twitter and facebook?? Attention seeking?? If you are seeing the comments then you are following them and therefore providing an audience - don't torture yourself if you don't like it - what contributions do you make on it by the way or are you just a watcher??
Big Boppa
Guest
Sheek you are showing you age - a lot of the people on twitter are actually fans who go to games and are interested in the players - the fact that they can get their questions answered directly from their favourite players is quite modern. In a competitive market like Australia you need every advantage to hook kids and fans. In NZ its a one horse race in winter so the imperative is different. I bet you will find the AB's on Facebook which is not much different. You might actually find some facts to back up you assertions straight from the players themselves then again you might not want to
sheek
Guest
AdamS, I've finally convinced my wife after 20 years marriage, that I'm only good for 2-3 smallish chores, 4 at the max, per day that I'm not at work (being a shift worker). Oh, & I'm banished from washing clothes since I won't learn the lesson of separating colours.....
Johnno
Guest
Well Will, Quade Cooper and SBW are NEW ZEALANDERS not AUSSIES , SO THEY DON'T HAVE OT HONour the same aussie principles.
Will
Guest
Can't agree more with the thrust of this article. Shaw, Topo and Jones had their faults but they had respect for the jumper and craved winning. I am astounded that O'Connor's management has let him make so many mess ups and gaffs. I am even more astounded that his father is amnaging him. He needs to grow up and learn respect quickly before his 'rugby brand' implodes. It is also a major folly that Cooper is now in the pocket of Khoder nasser. Do these guys learn nothing? Australians don't loike sporting mercenaries, they don't like big mouths and they don't like Nasser.
DaniE
Guest
Love this comment Sheek "Indeed, this is a glaring fault of the professional era – trying to fit everyone into the same straight-jacket." On a similar vein, what I loved reading in Bob Dwyer's biography was the paragraph on not discounting the guy who jumps over the fence. Willie O jumped over the fence to join Manly club training. John Flett did the same at Randwick Rugby at age 24. How many talented rugby players are we missing nowadays because so much of the professional pathway directly leads from talent-scouting schoolboys?
DaniE
Guest
Thanks Uncle, it's actually really refreshing reading your post and the responses above. I was beginning to think that I no longer fitted into wider society with the reactions to JOC's behaviour last week. Seeing as we are heading into the world cup, I've been re-reading some of my favourite rugby books - Bob Dwyer's coaching memoir, Matt Burke's bio, Thirty Bullies by Alison Kervinm Nick Farr-Jones' and Eales' bios, and what struck me is that winners have focus - they know when to play and when to work. They sincerely give 100% themselves to the team and they revel in competition. They'll do what it takes both physically and mentally to win. And the best winners have life in perspective. They'll have come from nothing to be something.
Mals
Guest
Good point AC. Cooper was born & raised as a Kiwi so I can't imagine it bothers him too much losing to them.
Argyle
Roar Guru
I see your point however your plan may invite in the "Tradesman" factor which is a low percentage play if your considering getting ammorous with darling anytime soon.
Wawnout
Guest
O'connor mentored by Gits when he first came to the Western Force.