On Saturday night the Wallabies finally got their maiden Rugby Championship win but, in my opinion, little of the victory could be attributed to the recognised ‘first string’ Wallabies.
This is likely a point of contention with fellow Roarers, but the following summarises my take on the game:
Radike, the old man of unknown vintage, running straight and true; showing guts and drive in the jersey that supporters demand. Thank God – a player showing the rest what it means to play with pride. I recognise that Radike isn’t new to the gold jersey but rarely is he the first pick, either.
Dom Shipperley, finally given his Wallabies jersey, running straight and hard. Not necessarily on the wing as we might expect but where his presence was needed, to push the next phase and gain ground. Compare that with Digby who was, from what I saw, nowhere to be seen.
Hooper, as with Radike and Shipperley, providing push and drive.
While the above players had a great and potentially unrecognised role, for me (and what perhaps represents the most contentious point of this commentary) the highlight was the style of play seen from Nick Phipps late in the game, following Genia’s injury.
Unfortunately Genia’s game tonight (as per the majority of his recent Wallabies performances) was epitomised by the following:
Excessive stalling of the ball at the back of the ruck – while this allows fellow Wallabies to ‘reset’, so too did it allow the Boks’ defence to reset. You can’t expose gaps when everyone is ready and waiting.
Excessive box kicking. Fellow Roarers have decried this tactic and I tip my hat to these complaints. Alas, again Genia yielded to the opposition and wasted hard-won possession with this terrible tactic. It seems Genia has become hard-wired to doing this in response to average support and poor confidence in his teammates. Much like the grubber-kick disease which afflicts one Berrick Barnes.
So what did I see from Phipps? Well, the exact opposite – classic and necessary play from 9 and exactly what we need. Quick play the ball behind the ruck, not allowing the defence to reset, no God-forsaken box-kicks and willingness to take a hit.
Phipps no longer deserves accusations of being a third-string 9. If hi is given more Wallabies game time (and mentored in the arts of quick and decisive half-back play) then perhaps he has serious potential in the gold jersey.
Why? Well, because on Saturday he played quick and fast, maintained possession and had a good crack, just like our other Wallabies ‘second string’ players.
Well done Wallabies – I’m glad to see that some of the less recognised players weren’t overawed by the experience and played with passion.
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.
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