It is not fair to blame Robbie Deans for the result in Auckland. It was the perfect storm.
The World Champion All Blacks played high-tempo, skillful and clever rugby. The Wallabies chose to match this with a performance riddled with so many schoolboy errors that WADA will be seeking samples from them all.
And yet, for the first 15 minutes, armed with more appropriate tactics, the Wallabies competed with this wonderful New Zealand team. The Wallabies showed the necessary tenacity, commitment and physicality.
But errors began to flow in the third minute and did not stop for the whole game. These errors often occurred in the Wallabies own 22, gifting possession back to the All Blacks or offering Carter three points.
While the game was still there to be won in the first half, I recorded the following errors: a penalty conceded when the ball was at the back of their own ruck in the fourth minute and five metres from the New Zealand line; Ashley-Cooper’s conceded penalty in the fifth minute for playing the ball on the ground; two failed 22 drop-outs in the eighth and 34th minutes; Cooper missing touch with a penalty kick in the 13th minute; mindless kicks from Barnes in his own 22 in the 23rd minute, then on the All Blacks’ 22 in the 27th minute; captain Genia’s yellow card in the 28th minute; line-out lost in 32nd minute; Ashley-Cooper’s aimless kick to Dagg when they had 14 players and needed to steady the ship with some phase play; a lost scrum against the feed in the 37th; and finally offside in the shadow of the posts for three points.
Eventually, this brainless play, coupled with the already fragile psyche of this squad, took its toll. The 9-0 half time score was remarkable but misleading. After just seven minutes of the second half, it was all over at 19-0. The final 34 minutes were really just an exhibition game.
The Wallabies played like individuals, and individually got worse.
Of particular note was Kurtley Beale who was so ineffective for a second week in a row that I can only conclude that there is something much more seriously wrong than simply a loss of form. I have watched him since he was 13 and he is a broken player. Gone are his amazing physical skills, judgment and execution. As an x-factor player, I don’t expect him to deliver every time. Campese never did. But both could win games singlehandedly. Beale can’t any more.
The only encouraging part of this woeful performance was the Wallabies defence. Muggleton like, they kept the All Blacks to just one try.
Hooper looked at home at this level. His genuine foot speed is a real advantage. Moore, Ioane and Sharpe tried hard. Temani was good while they tried to run the ball and made some big hits. Higginbotham was better but nowhere near his previous form. Dennis tried but was unable to make the yards as he did in Super Rugby.
Full credit must go to the All Blacks who played wonderful attacking rugby. They left at least three tries on the field. Sonny Bill Williams was my man of the match. There was not a bad player for the All Blacks. To the future, it is clear that this generation of Wallabies cannot match this All Blacks team.
This is not the first time that this group of Wallabies players have played brainless rugby. Unless something changes, it won’t be the last.
A strategic question therefore arises: do the Wallabies settle for being, at best, the second-best team in the world, or do they give jerseys to unproven but unscarred and possibly unflawed players such as Bernard Foley, Cadern Neville, Douglas, Paddy Ryan, Lealilifano, Toomua, Mogg, Shipperley, Lachlan Mitchell, Mitch Inman, Nick Stirzaker, Feauai-Sautia, Monahan, Godwin and the like?
This strategy clearly needs to be supported by a massive recruitment drive from the latest crop of youngsters in all codes.
There is no downside. The Wallabies will still beat most other nations. The upside is that it our best chance to beat the All Blacks.
The definition of stupidity is repeating something and expecting a different outcome.
Giving youngsters a chance is also the best reality check that the current players can get. They will either step up or step away.
Now is the time to be bold. There are four years before the next World Cup and it is all about winning.
While last night’s brainless performance had nothing to do with Robbie Deans, he is no longer the best man for the job. The issue does not play to his proven strengths. Last night exposed the need for a major rethink, overhaul and recruitment drive. Jake White, with his subtle proven player development and motivational skills, should be hired immediately. After all, coaching the Wallabies is the second best rugby coaching job in the world, and he already has his work permit.
SandBox
Roar Guru
"You blokes weren’t out there." I'm guessing you weren't out there either bennalong "Deans gets these blokes for a few weeks, no time for conditionong!" he had them for five weeks. If they weren't in condition why were they picked? "Pull your heads in and realise you haven’t really got a clue" but you do? I read Eales' article, much more interesting than your incoherent rant
bennalong
Guest
Depressing, negative stuff in general here, as I've come to expect from the armchair critics ! You blokes weren't out there. Get a reality check! Everyone whinging was predicting failure. Now you get it ............YOU WERE RIGHT !!!!........ and you act as if it should have been different. You want Deans gone ! You want wholesale changes ! New players blooded ! TRY SOMETHING....ANYTHING Grow up. You don't do anything too bloody radical at this time except see how players react, and see if the team bounces back Try reading John Eales in SMH (Rugby Heaven), for a start Pull your heads in and realise you haven't really got a clue, second. Deans gets these blokes for a few weeks, no time for conditionong! His top four playmakers are all in trouble. One is no go! He tries one, is criticised for not playing another, uses the last off the bench. Next game he brings on the one he didn't want to use on in a hope that he'll perform, benches one, promotes the other. But they all fail. The forewards tackle relentlessly but can't get foreward momentum. the backs get no go foreward to spark anything. NIGHTMARE! ............... For us, the team and for Deans! Read John Eales for a reality check, please
Mantis
Roar Guru
Ill be disappointed if more 'fringe' wallabies from QLD and ACT arent given a crack. Mowen, Carter and Fardy deserve a crack from ACT and Taupui , Slipper, Shipperly and Morahan from QLD wouldnt should get a run too.
Wazbo
Guest
I know the Boks won the RWC under Jake in 2007 but I don't think I want the Wallabies playing that style of Rugby. I know the Brumbies results improved massively under him this year but also didn't really like their style. I think the Reds are the only Aussie team playing an Aussie style of game effectively .. and I'm from NSW.
atlas
Guest
yup; 18 in five tests this year. all won. v another side with six from six
Blinky Bill of Bellingen
Guest
I'm a Tahs fan and I was gob smacked to see so many duds being selected. :( As as said above, it sends the wrong signal to worthy players.
Blinky Bill of Bellingen
Guest
An interesting read chivasdude. 1. The selection of players underdone fitness wise is so frustrating. Bringing in Beale & Mitchell was a huge gamble that backfired. Personally I don't see rewarding 'out of form' (for what ever reason) as sending the correct signal to those players who are in-form and doing all the right things and what ever they can to land a Wallaby jersey. I know you don't want to devalue the jersey but the message is that it's harder to get out of the Wallabies than it is to get into the Wallabies. 2. The bench - Much has been said about players on the bench coming on and making an impact. I am struggling to remember the last time this happened. 3. I believe he is conservative because he knows we do not possess the skills to play any other way. He believes fewer risks equals fewer errors and fewer opportunities for the opposition. My problem is that the game plan contains no surprises at all. We are so easily shut down and our attack nullified. IMHO we are not playing in a 'Wallaby Way'. We have lost our mojo and need to rediscover it. 4. This accepting of the loss is a tricky one. Curl up in the fetal position and we would bag them. Pats on backs after the game with the guys that they are desperate to beat & we think to ourselves "what the f#ck"! In a perfect world I'd like to see them give a polite 'well done' and handshake and stick together as a team. This whole thing after the game of standing around with the AB's and having a laugh is what really gets up my nose. It smacks of 'these guys aren't hurting enough', especially on TV. I want them looking spent and devasted. I don't want them saying 'the AB's are unbeatable'. Such talk is for losers. We may not be winners but we're not losers. If that makes sense.
Rob from Brumby Country
Guest
Good thing the Wallabies won't have to play the Reds, then.
Bee Bee
Guest
Yes I am a League supporter (occasional Rugby Union watcher) and no I wasn't attracted to this article because brainless was in the title.
Bee Bee
Guest
I turned the match off at 16-0. I think we need new ideas, this team is drifting off course. The time for simple game plans is done. We don't just need a new coach we need an entirely new animal. Its time to do something ridiculous. Its time to send in the Kangaroos. We might not beat the All-Blacks but we'll have fun watching the League boys shoulder charging their way to spectacular defeat with most of the team sent off.
Ben.S
Roar Guru
And I guess that's why the Wallabies under Deans have such a good record against the NH teams... I wonder if the players share this misguided mentality?
Sylvester
Guest
The full quote for context: "They're a side that's playing with the confidence of being world champions and I don't think there's any side in the world that would have footed it with them tonight," he said. "We got a great insight into what you've got to do to be able to foot it with the All Blacks. They're a side that's relentless, they're fit, so well conditioned. "It doesn't matter which channel you go down, they're at you and you've got to do it for 80 (minutes). They gave every side a blueprint, if you want to go toe to toe and ultimately succeed against them that's what you've got to do."
Sylvester
Guest
Moore summed it up in the aftermatch comments. They were incapable of following Deans' simple gameplan.
Sylvester
Guest
Red Kev, he said they were unbeatable on the night, not necessarily entirely. Is there any point sugar-coating the truth about the All Blacks' no.1 status? It might be the ultimate motivator ie beat the best, be the best. I don't believe Deans wants the All Blacks to win more than he wants his caeer, reputation and paycheck.
Jeremy
Guest
Playing what code, exactly? I think the Roos would really really struggle with the intensity of union forwards work - ie scrummaging and the breakdown, they would also lack lineouts and tactical kicking. Conditioning-wise I think the Abs would also have it - they are really, really fit. Exception would be Slater, he's incredible. Physicality and impact probably League in the forwards, definitely league inn the backs. Speed and line breaks league. Drinking and getting into fights with bouncers - draw.
Jeremy
Guest
....which is pretty much what everyone in NZ is saying at the moment, there were too many squandered opportunities. This isn't the finished product, hopefully we'll see it in Brisbane against a much improved Wallabies and there will be a decent contest.
LeftArmSpinner
Roar Guru
level headed. thanks for the compliment. I agree with your post, and very well considered.
LeftArmSpinner
Roar Guru
best man for the job..........the nay sayers need to get with the programme.
Charlie Mackay
Guest
+1 to that - unfit super teams don't make fit national teams overnight... If they insist on selecting horrortah players, then at least ensure that their fitness and training regime is up to scratch! (Going from all reports, it clearly was not)
levelheaded
Guest
Great article LAS, however sad the old rant came out again about the tahs, just too easy to sink the boot guys, too easy - in fact I think the greater percentage of their players were more effective than for example the Reds players, check out tackles etc. Genia, Cooper etc - did they make a difference? No, but don't let a good story get in the way of sinking the simple boot! What about the Brumbies players, hang on crickets.......I can hear them??? What about old mate Kurtley, why has his form left him over the year, not injuries as he should fit a fiddle now....what is going on in Vic, why is he going backwards, but no don't let that get in the way of another story??? Seriously, there were only 3 ort 4 players that could hold their head high, but stop this tah bashing, read the stats!