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Dear Robbie, I write this with a heavy heart, but Tuesday’s loss has confirmed what has been nagging in the recesses of my brain for some time.
You are not the right man to lead the Wallabies.
Not that I blame you entirely, I believe you have done absolutely everything in your power to make the Australian team a success and a force on the world stage. You have blooded players who have become men of quality, introduced new ways of thinking about the game and always conducted yourself with a team-first attitude.
That said, you have also been at the helm of some of our most embarrassing moments, with the Samoan loss and the debacle against Scotland just the most recent examples. You have managed just two wins against the land of your birth in the last 12 or so tests.
You have made some baffling decisions that you have not publicly explained. The rushed return of Dan Vickerman and Rocky Elsom, only taking one openside flanker to the Rugby World Cup and selecting Timana Tahu versus the Boks.
There is plenty of corporate speak about ‘owning the reality’ but the reality is players who have under performed have not had to take ownership because you have continued to select them.
It matters not about a lack of ‘cattle’. If you continue to select non-performers, how will we ever know what talent is untapped?
When I see players performing at the provincial and not reaching anywhere near that level when they don the gold jersey, questions need to be asked. I understand that Test matches are a very different animal, but why then do players elsewhere have far less issue with the transition? Again its not about cattle, its about a player playing as close to his maximum potential as possible.
Then there is a matter of tactics. Too often our national side seems to lack clarity of purpose. Rarely anymore do we outsmart the opposition where previously it was a trademark of our teams. Not only that, it appears we are regularly outthought, with the Rugby World Cup game against the Irish being obvious example.
When confronted with a problem, the Wallabies can’t seem to figure out any solutions.
Lastly I have concerns over your man-management. I raise this because I doubt you don’t already know about these problems and have been doing your utmost to address them. We have seen different coaching staff, different styles and regimes all brought in to bring the Wallabies up to a truly world class standard.
Despite all this, there seems to be no real improvement in the team’s performance. The only constant in this disappointing period is you. I’m not sure what the exact problem is but sometimes things just don’t ‘click’ and this seems to be the case here.
It is for these reasons that I, as a loyal Wallaby fan ask you to leave. I do not do this with malice or disdain for you and what you bring. It is done only with disappointment that the potential and hope you brought to Australian rugby could not be fulfilled.
I hope you feel the same way.
Yours in rugby.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.