Let’s start by pulling no punches. The 2011 Rugby World Cup was a failure for the Wallabies, and a dismal one at that.
That’s not to say that 3rd place is always a failure. Of course we have to apply context to such brazen statements.
A bronze medal for a Wales would have been a ‘good bronze’, or even the Greens, (thanks to 12% of voting Australians) finishing 3rd in the recent Federal election (but let’s not open a new can of worms about the watermelons).
The Wallabies may have made it to the penultimate stage but their form throughout the tournament was scratchy, bordering on inept at times.
The passion and commitment shown against the Springboks was admirable, but the execution was nonexistent.
I could write for hours about why the Wallabies should have done better, but what’s done is done.
To borrow an already overused sporting cliché it’s time to ‘build for the future’ – in this case the 2015 World Cup in England, and even more imminent, the 2012 British and Irish Lions Tour in Australia – are the biggest contests on the horizon.
This month’s modified Spring Tour is as good a time as any to start.
Whilst the backline is stacked with typical Gen Y fringes and body ink, the forward pack has shown signs of aging.
While players like Nathan Sharpe, Wycliff Palu and Rocky Elsom have been loyal servants to Australian Rugby, it’s unlikely that they will play to 2015. In the case of the former two, it’s unlikely they will play beyond this season.
If Deans is serious about Australian rugby succeeding (no, winning Tri Nations does NOT count), he will willingly blood young players on this tour. Key word: willingly.
Elsom is a bit of an enigma, a robust and explosive player who for whatever reason seems to drop a ball, or miss a tackle that even a mug like this blogger would be ashamed of.
Evidence of this was seen in the Rugby World Cup semi-final with a poor attempt at tackle on Israel Dagg, which led to the game’s opening try.
Scott Higginbotham deserves his chance. In and out of the Wallabies line up in recent times, he has been brutal and skilful in Super Rugby and has the ‘take no prisoners’ approach needed at the highest level.
It’s time for him to have an extended run at six.
The aging second row also needs youthful reinforcements. Vickerman and Sharpe are well into their 30s and should not feature again.
Despite a fairly ordinary World Cup, Rob Simmons has done enough to earn a starting spot based on his efforts at the Reds.
The other youngster who should be blooded is Sitaleki Timani – over 200cm tall and 120kg, his form was excellent for the Waratahs this year and looks to be getting better with each game. When he hits, they stay hit.
Other young players to keep an eye on include Liam Gill, a 19 year old open side breakaway from the Reds (even if this position is our biggest strength thanks to the brilliant David Pocock).
Ben Tapuai, another banana bender whose stinging defence and strong ball running were instrumental in the Reds victorious season, is another option for the backline.
James O’Connor is no stranger to rugby fans, but even his career now needs to progress with a move to inside centre – the Wallabies midfield is desperate for some attacking flair.
Robbie Deans must make these tough calls now for two reasons: One, these younger players will need four years in all conditions to develop into top line ‘World Cup quality’ players, and two, his tenure as coach will ultimately depend on it.
Potential Wallabies team for Spring Tour
1. Slipper
2. Moore
3. Robinson
4. Horwill
5. Simmons
6. Higgintbotham
7. Pocock
8. McCalman
9. Genia
10. Barnes
11. Ioane
12. O’Connor
13. Ashley-Cooper
14. Mitchell
15. Beale
16. Polota-Nau
17. Kepu
18. Timani
19. Gill
20. Phipps
21. Turner
22. Tapuai
joeb
Guest
AdamLudeke: "To borrow an already overused sporting cliché it’s time to ‘build for the future’ – in this case the 2015 World Cup in England, and even more imminent, the 2012 British and Irish Lions Tour in Australia – are the biggest contests on the horizon." Think you'll find the Lions cometh in 2013, and this looketh towards to 2015 already, premature friend, by 3 years, 6 months, 3 weeks and 3 & 3/4 days, simply meaning let's concentrate on winning every test from here till 2 weeks out from the 2015 RWC, then worry about who we pick in which possies etcetera. Don't you want to win the Bledisloe next year, and the inaugural 4N? That should be our goal, first and foremost. "While players like Nathan Sharpe, Wycliff Palu and Rocky Elsom have been loyal servants to Australian Rugby, it’s unlikely that they will play to 2015. In the case of the former two, it’s unlikely they will play beyond this season. "If Deans is serious about Australian rugby succeeding (no, winning Tri Nations does NOT count), he will willingly blood young players on this tour. Key word: willingly." The thing with Sharpe, Palu and Elsom is they still have a fair amount to contribute. I don't know - it's all about a balance of youth and old heads, but to dump these players at this stage would be tantamount to suicide.
Pillock
Roar Rookie
It's a two game jaunt, hardly a tour, not much chance to develop anyone, they should have saved on airfares and only taken 22 or 23 players. I am sure that there will be some of the squad who get no or little game time. Hopefully some good will come from seeing Barnes at 10 and JOC at 12.
Mike
Guest
Aussie in NZ, How was the result of this world cup any worse than the Wallabies' general performance over the last ten years? "Over in NZ they think that it is hilarious that the Wallabies continue to be coached by one of their cast offs who has accumulated one the worst records of all Wallaby coaches." "They" would think that regardless. When it was Eddie Jones they also thought it was hilarious, they just came up with a different reason. And "one of the worst records"? Perhaps, but not by comparison with his two predecessors. Which comes back to my initial question: Anyone who can't see a worrying trend with the Wallabies which goes beyond Deans' tenure as coach needs to go back and think through the whole issue again.
Aussie in NZ
Guest
Lets not beat around the bush. The team was poorly selected and coached. Lacking in overall strategy and too driven by preferences for personalities. The bizare situation with inside center being a case in point. Both the quarter final win and semi final loss were outright embarrising. Over in NZ they think that it is hilarious that the Wallabies continue to be coached by one of their cast offs who has accumulated one the worst records of all Wallaby coaches. Lets pray that Ewan does not get peed off and leaves the country before Deans experiment collapses completely.
GPC
Guest
agreed. if they want a big bopper in the backline there is no back in the superxv that takes the contact on his terms everytime like he does. Burke and a few other fullbacks made the transition to 13, most of them forced out of 15 because they were past it, but shepherd has a few good years left.
Goose Step
Guest
I assume Cowan is there because he can potentially play Hooker... Given the injuries we have, not too disappointed with the squad. I am just hoping we come back with all 26. Does anyone else want to see Davies get another shot? He had a rough game in a dis-organised backline against Samoa, but has the potential to open up a game.
p.Tah
Guest
We had to rebuild in 2008-2011 because many of 2007 players retired or were on their last legs. We don't have those issue this time round.
p.Tah
Guest
No rebuilding required. We have the foundations and the walls up. A few set backs didn't allow up to get the roof up in time for the RWC. We are in a far better place than we were post RWC 2007. The hard work has been done blooding the young guns. The next fours should be good. Hopefully they'll lift the roof :)
dwc
Guest
I would have thought Robbie would have picked some more bolters....and I am a Kiwi....I would give Mike Harris a go...is he eligible for Australia? Deans is coming across as conservative or are we back to the cattle narrative? I still think Robbie lacks the nous to create a set of leaders that can take a smart approach to a tight game....The Wallabies have won games with little forward ball in the past. I am one of those Kiwis who want the Wallabies to do quite well because it promotes the code here, which needs help./...
dwc
Guest
I would have thought Robbie would have picked some more bolters....and I am a Kiwi....I would give Mike Harris a go...is he eligible for Australia? Deans is coming across as conservative or are we back to the cattle narrative? I still think Robbie lacks the nous to create a set of leaders that can take a smart approach to a tight game....The Wallabies have won games with little forward ball in the past. I am one of those Kiwis who want the Wallabies to do quite well because it promotes the code here, which needs help./...
Ross
Guest
Adam, an inacurrate, overly simplified and "red eyed" article indeed (e.g. Liam Gill - he should focus on getting into the Super Rugby 22 man squad week in week out for a season). Forget this obsession with building for 2015, or even the British and Irish Lions tour in 2013. I want the Wallabies to win every match they play in. Any elite professional team should always be a blend of youth and experience. Sharpe is 33 but he's in great touch. I say play him, because he's done the work and has the form and should be rewarded. Yes, now is a better time than most to blood some new players, for two reasons, the RWC just finished and we have a lot of injuries. I agree with the selectors. Of 32 players used at RWC, 9 are unavailable through injury. Out of the 23 available, 22 have been selected and 4 added from outside the RWC squad. 1 has 4 Test Caps and 3 are uncapped. So, the successful Wallabies (seriously, Bronze medal at a world championship and you say it is a dismal failure) move on and defend their current world ranking and do SOME building for the future. This is called balance. Something that is sorely lacking from your article...
Mike
Guest
Yes. The ABs do build for the future, but they do it at the same time as winning the current game or series.
Justin
Guest
When you get fended smack in the chest and put on your A$$ by a guy 15 kilo's lighter, you dont get any special treatment...he was there for the tackle and missed it badly.
Justin
Guest
Dont see much rebuilding in this touring squad...
Justin
Guest
The players may well be immature - but this was a WC not a develpoment tour. If they were not mature enough then dont pick them...
johnny-boy
Guest
If I knew the meaning of irish ballads sheep I'd probably find that amusing :)
sheek
Guest
Oh gosh, how embarrassment..........
Will Sinclair
Guest
Agree.
Mike
Guest
Adam, I think you make some good points. But I really do disagree with your concepts for the second row. It is painfully obvious that we are going to have to introduce new blood at prop and the backrow, so why go throwing out a perfectly good second row, with all their experience and flair? "The aging second row also needs youthful reinforcements. Vickerman and Sharpe are well into their 30s and should not feature again." I think this is a recipe for disaster. Vickerman is our best forward at present, with possible exception of Pocock. His controlled aggression is vital for a team which is still getting used to the concept (at least on the level that All Blacks and Boks consider fundamental at test-level). He is far younger than Brad Thorn, for example. Sharpe doesn't quite have the same aggression as Vicks, but close enough. Lock is where Australia does not have room for new players at the present time. With Horwill, Vickerman and Sharpe holding down 4, 5 and the bench spot, we have a firm base of experience, leadership and ability. We will sorely need this as we induct new players in the positions where we do have obvious gaps: Props and the back-row. 2015 will take care of itself. The odds are that Sharpe himself will call time on his test career at the end of 2012, and Vickerman probably won't go much beyond 2013. As each goes, a new young chap will be moving into a bench position to start learning the ropes. But don't let these veterans go an instant before they need to. The whole team learns from them. "Despite a fairly ordinary World Cup, Rob Simmons has done enough to earn a starting spot based on his efforts at the Reds." If Rob Simmons had "a fairly ordinary World Cup" (and I agree), why on earth would we drop proven performers like Vickerman and Sharpe to make way for him? If the new John Eales was waiting in the wings , then sure, I'd consider dropping Vickerman or Sharpe. But for Simmons???
mattamkII
Guest
This article is perhaps the most crazy in the history of the raw.