Saturday night’s victory against the All Blacks was one of the most impressive by an Australian outfit in recent times. But there are improvements to be made, starting with the midfield.
For a clue as to which area of the game New Zealand bested Australia, you need only look at the two names on their try scoring ledger.
Despite a courageous defensive showing in the first-half, particularly by Anthony Faingaa, the Wallabies’ centres were outplayed by Ma’a Nonu and Conrad Smith, without a doubt the premier midfield pairing in world rugby.
Both tries from the men in black were somewhat soft and the result of a brilliant and natural instinct for running the right lines and finding the gap. It would be easy to put Smith’s try down to Carter brilliance alone, but this under plays the subtle beauty of Smith’s support play. Nonu’s try was pure class – something from nothing.
On our side of the coin, I cannot recall McCabe touching the ball more than a handful of times and similarly or even more so Fiangaa.
Two of Australia’s tries came from Will Genia snipes and the third from a brilliant but perhaps streaky try from a rampaging No.8. It’s fair to say that both of these players are going to be watched even more closely the next time the Wallabies meet the All Blacks and by other teams as well. This means that other attacking options must step up to the plate.
These other options are there to be sure in many guises. Ioane, Beale and O’Connor are three of the better tackle evaders in world rugby, but one thing is a certainty; their job is harder is teams can simply ignore our midfield as an attacking weapon.
Fortunately, Robbie Deans has selected a squad with other options. Principally and most likely to come into the starting side is Berrick Barnes. Known as one of the better tacklers in Australian rugby, Deans can select Barnes instead of McCabe knowing he won’t lose much in defence.
What he gains is multi-faceted: a second kicking option, a variation at first receiver giving Cooper the chance to stand wider with more space, a second ball player for the likes of Beale to run off, a goal kicking option, a leader.
Consider this selection done.
At outside centre, Deans may be musing with the idea of Rob Horne, but perhaps with Barnes at 12, Faingaa may retain his spot.
Capital
Roar Guru
I think he is a long term 10 and 12 also. He played very well for Force in those positions and displayed awareness, defensive attributes and an ability to get the side moving forward - in a seriously under strength side.
Capital
Roar Guru
Mike It is a good place to be - considering some of the real concerns we have had at 12 13 only two months ago. It shows that Deans has a good development philosophy and it has worked, even in the compressed test series this year.
Mike
Guest
"With Horne on the sidelines, we are really looking at leaving some very good players out of the starting 15." Interesting. That's probably what we need to be serious contenders for RWC, no? I think one of the lessons from the last few cups is that 22 top class players isn't enough. The toll extracted by several games against hungry opposition means that all 30 have to be strong.
Drop kick
Guest
AAC outside of Barnes, you know it makes sense
Capital
Roar Guru
Ditto Blytherin He is not 13, his lines have been great running outside Cooper from broken play and running off the shoulders of inside backs - I think his pluses would be negated playing 13.
Capital
Roar Guru
sheek My take is: 9 Genia Burgess 10 Cooper Barnes JOC 12 Barnes (McCabe / Faiinga) JOC 13 McCabe / Faiinga AAC Horne 11 14 Ioane JOC Mitchell AAC 15 Beale JOC McCabe Bench - probably McCabe, and possibly JOC with AAC finding form. Some real options starting to take shape now that the players are finding form - AAC, and finding their comfort level in the team - Faiinga McCabe. It bodes well for the RWC - as long as we have plan Bs for major positions
Capital
Roar Guru
Not sure I agree on a couple of issues Thelma JOC has been very sound defensively, matching SBW and other bigger players with aggression - sometimes bordering on over aggression. I would prefer to see Barnes outside Cooper, then Faiinga / McCabe with JOC, Ioane, Beale and AAC on the bench. With Horne on the sidelines, we are really looking at leaving some very good players out of the starting 15
Drop kick
Guest
Barnes
niwdEyaJ
Guest
problem with JOC is he's poo under pressure... he's had two off games in the last two big occasions (ABs @ Eden Park and Poms @ Twickenham). I think this could be a confidence thing (well of course it is, duh!). he seems to fall apart if he misses his first kick so I were horwill, early in the game I'd elect to kick for touch and go for a try unless it's a really easy shot in front of the posts... frankly if the forwards can hold on to the ball, smash the rucks and play tight for 4-5 phases like they did against the ABs in Brisbane, they should almost always be able to turn pressure into points close to the line.
Justin
Guest
One off night in the line out doesnt make it weak. That has been the ABs problem the last couple of years not ours. A new combination or two on Saturday messed things up but generally I think our LO is strong.
soapit
Guest
yeah but barnes has been out until now so oconnors probably third backup 10 so not too much benefit wrt getting into the 22 especially with beale in there. i think it'll come down to a play off between he and mitchell in the matches before the finals (from a clean slate, their past form cancels each other out from here) with AAC probably guaranteed at least a spot in the 22.
sheek
Guest
Leave the brand brat on the bench, or in the stands, to grow up some more - mentally & emotionally. If Ashley-Cooper wants his 13 jersey back, then promote Mitchell, not O'Connor. There also remain lingering doubts that McCabe is the man for 12. Numbers 14/13/12 are creating numerous options & numerous headaches. 14 - Ashley-Cooper/Mitchell/O'Connor. 13 - Faainga/Ashley-Cooper/Horne. 12 - McCabe/Faainga/Barnes. I wouldn't consider Ioane for 13, he lacks the passing skills required for the position. I guess it's a good position for Deans to be in. But it makes making the right decision even more critical.....
ilikedahoodoogurusingha
Guest
Agree.....McCabe could just be the "Mortlock" type player we are looking for in the long run.
ilikedahoodoogurusingha
Guest
Totally agree...I think Deans has the balance right. The hard runners/defenders on for 50 -60 mins...then the "show ponies" on against a tiring defence....with Cooper out there we need some midfield defenders.
Nathaniel
Guest
Lets look at it constructively and establish whether it is really the ABs or Wallabies who need work to do before the RWC. Looking at the ABs, i honestly think that their only problem was weak tackling, which is totally unusual for them. Now as for the Wallabies, it was poor line-outs, weak scrums and mid field mis-communication. The maths will reveal who needs greater work so lets not get carried away guys. I still believe the Wallabies can win the RWC but we need to fix crucial areas and do right away. Macabe is too one dimensional and needs to be replaced in the 1st 15 line up. OConnor needs top get back on the wing and AAC back to 13. Our bench is not effective enough and Palu is badly needed back.
Deez
Guest
Goalkicker is critical, but I am not convinced that Barnes is a better kicker than the other options. I still believe that JOC has the highest potential kick - he kicks long and straight, with a fair amount of consistency and control. I think that he just suffers from nerves on the big stage, which doesn't bode well going into a WC. That said, the only cure for nerves is more game time, so if Deans wants JOC as his kicker, he really needs to get him into the team and kicking everything.
Deez
Guest
Have to agree here - as much as I like Digby, his lack of a passing game really means he has to be on the wing with the freedom to come inside to pick off running lanes from Cooper. I love Faingaa's defence and have seen him do some straight running in attack off Cooper and Genia at S15 level - I think he is worth giving another try in the 12 jersey with AAC at 13 and JOC at 14.
michael aussie in NZ
Guest
is it not obvious? - AAC outside of Faingaa
AJ
Guest
thumbs up bear and wnm.carter created the first one on the back of 4 or 5 minutes of brilliant play and I'm not sure what happened for the second try but not it's enough to erase their good work.
Luke Ringland
Guest
I don't think many commenters have addressed the issue of predictability in the mid-field and the pressure this may put on the others. It'd be different if we had a points scoring machine kicking goals - we don't. Let's leave it too Deans then! :-).