Kurtley Beale’s torn hamstring stands to cripple Australia’s chances as much as his own for the defining Rugby World Cup semi-final clash against New Zealand.
A back three without king Kurtley might hold its own, at best.
But that’s not good enough for this do-or-die encounter.
Beale’s blessing is his capacity to ask the hard questions of the best defenses, and to penetrate with clinical proficiency. It’s also fair to say that on every occasion the Wallabies have failed to fire, Beale has been the exception.
But Beale is out after failing to recover in time. Coach Robbie Deans gave Beale maximum recovery time, knowing how critical Beale’s presence is in this sudden-death playoff.
Deans said at the time: “It will be tough on Kurtley if he has to miss this one, but we will take no chances. If he can’t play, he will contribute off the field as he always does. Adam and Ant are both good men.”
“Good men” is a fair description of Ashley-Cooper and Anthony Faingaa. But Robbie needs “great men”, not “good men” for the pending assignment. Because their opposites are on par with greatness and come in the form of Israel Dagg, Richard Kahui and Cory Jane.
Robbie’s outlook for Kurtley wasn’t particularly hopeful and all hope was extinguished this morning. The ‘slight hamstring tear’ takes requires more than a week to mend and not the kind of ailment that can be played around, as it would have limited Beale’s radical range of motion, which is what sets him apart from most rugby mortals.
Anthony Faingaa comes into the backline while Ashley-Cooper drops back to No15. And with that arrangement, Australia’s threat level from the rear drops from ‘serious’ to ‘medium’ at best.
Fortunately for Australia, the mad musing around giving Quade Cooper license in the No15 jersey has been wisely discounted.
Notwithstanding, the heat goes on super Cooper to significantly up his game, which to this point, has been rather underwhelming.
The problem for Australia though, is if it hits the fan in the caldron of RWC headquarters Eden Park, Quade won’t have Beale to bail him out.
Mike
Guest
Pretty accurate prediction. This game was much more of an all-round effort by ABs, not dominated by a few stars. Ithought Dagg could have got MOTM, but no problem with Jane getting it .
Pillock
Roar Rookie
Hopefully Aust play smart tonight. Would like to see Samo having a few runs at Cruden.
zhenry
Guest
Come now you have not lost Cooper and Pocock is more important than Cooper and although he might have injury limitations he is not grappling with a bl…y (the Eds here can be ‘Rolland’ like) screw in his foot. The main AB strike weapons are compromised, not so for WBs. Beale is surely a loss, but Reid is still getting back from injury. That of course does not mean the ABs or WBs cannot win, but AB tactics and other players will have to compensate much more.
Frank O'Keeffe
Guest
Well at least that's some consolation for me.
Mike
Guest
I'd go for Sweden on that basis.
Mike
Guest
After what we have seen in the other semi, it seems impossible to predict anything for certain. Not me, of course. I absolutely predicted Welsh captain to be red carded half way through first half, Wales to score only try and France to win by 1... :(
ny ben
Roar Rookie
Carter is still out....isnt he? forget Beale....that has maybe 15% of the effect on the Wallabies that Carter has on the AB's
Touko
Guest
Ain't that the truth.
Uncle Argyle
Guest
Me too.
ohtani's jacket
Guest
Wales. I will be upset if France win this game.
Uncle Argyle
Guest
OJ Deans, wales or france?
ohtani's jacket
Guest
I wouldn't write the All Blacks off if I was the last man on earth. I just think it's pointless getting excited about Beale being out when we're missing Carter. It's not as though they cancel each other out.
Uncle Argyle
Guest
What if there is a really smoking hot Aussie chick who just wants too talk about the fine art of jumping at 2 in the lineout, whilst asking you to rub lotion on her back and asking you to name your greatest wallaby XV of all time....reckon you would be go for the Wallabies then?
Uncle Argyle
Guest
No it still exists in a dark under world of select memeber, its like the Freemasons,its not a secret society but a society of secrets. Apparently you have to be an All Black to get in?
Bazza All Black
Guest
its the bloody tension that is getting to me - I don't give a stuff about tonights game, I just want to get on with Sunday's game. I have a conference with our Australian offices next month so I hope to God we win...
Uncle Argyle
Guest
KOC, I simply di not buy Dagg, Kahui and Jane "are on par with greatness". Dagg is a rare talent but not a seasoned international yet. Kahui has been strong in this tournament but when I think of great All Black wingers I think Kirwin, Lomu, Wright, Williams, Stu Wilson, Jeff Wilson not Kahui and certainly not Jane. As an Australian I am more than happy with out back three. Of course I would have want Beale there. He too is a rare talent but Adam Ashley-Cooper is no slouch and is a seasoned international. Digby is argueably the most destructive winger in the world with ball in hand, his defence aint too bad either and O'Conner is improving every test and has an ability to move in tight spaces. Looking forward to it.
the other Steve
Guest
OJ, is that the voice of despair? Because if you are writing off the All Blacks, I'm off to the doctors right now for a happy pill prescription and unplugging all my computers and phones for the next week!
Emric
Guest
it does even the odds a tad bit but a full strength wallabie side should be able to take a half strength all blacks side - makes me sad both sides are not field their top teams
mark
Guest
"Beale has had a very indifferent year" would n't that make him the barometer for the wallabies - if he does n't show then neither do the wallabies?
Stin
Guest
Fine and sunny forecast tomorrow. Ne'er know....! Reckon we'll see JOC up the back a fair bit.