Everybody saw it, everybody knows it – the Wallabies are not only kicking too much, they’re kicking badly and at the wrong time.
Robbie Deans claims they went to the boot against the Boks without his blessing. And apparently Captain Genia, a culprit himself (get well soon, Will), did nothing to stem the nonsense even when – time and again – the return kicks produced positive results for the Boks.
Changes are clearly in order, not only in being faithful to instructions from the coach, but to the team makeup.
Firstly, Barnes has to start as his place kicking was super. But play him at fullback. Drop Beale and hope he recovers in time for the year end tour.
Put Adam Ashley-Cooper at 12, try a big guy like Cummins at 13 with McCabe to come on, and Shipperley and Digby on the edges – although I’ve love to see Digby start at 13, because he’s being starved for space the way he’s being used now.
Okay, that stops the main offender, Barnes, from kicking in an attacking position. But another major problem is Cooper. Quade plays five-eighth as if he’s playing in a four aside pickup game at the beach. That’s why he’s getting swamped in internationals.
As Mark Ella used to advise protégés, “Stand flat and pick your time for the cut-out pass. But most of all, don’t go for the gap when it isn’t there. Unless there’s a screaming opportunity in the first half, think about cutting through only in the second half when they’re beginning to take their eye off you.”
Mark, although no great kicker, could also tell Quade that his punting technique needs work. Cooper’s timing when he prepares to kick is usually off. Consequently, the ball is often skewing slightly when he makes contact.
However, no team gets by without a territorial punt now and then. And when it’s time for such a tactic – which, like garlic, should be used sparingly.
Let Ashley-Cooper do the job. He’s a first-class kicker, accurate and long. And let him take the penalties kicking for touch. Personally, I think Ashley-Cooper at 12 is the good, swift kick the Wallaby backs need.
Along with the other one they need.
soapit
Guest
1. not a fan of barnes moving to 15. counter attacking ball is fairly valuable for attacking opportunity and dont want him kicking away all of it. i suppose he'll do less damage there then at 12 though. 2. yes barnes has been kicking well but we do have other options (cooper and beale) who could do a job, just havent been tried. we shouldnt be selecting someone because the alternative kickers havent been tried yet. 3. if we're going to pick someone solely for their goal kicking then go for a sharpshooter like harris. all three show there is no place for barnes in the 15.
AndyS
Guest
It is not just the Wallabies - all of the Super teams seem to default to kicking in moments if stress. I suspect it comes back to Richard Graham and his ideas about attacking kicks, the license for which was quickly subverted by playmakers lacking confidence into a "kick everything" mentality that seems very hard to shake.
Sportym
Guest
Only issue is that AAC is almost incapable of passing the ball, so not sure how he could be a better play maker then McCabe
The Battered Slav
Guest
Nice article Jean. I am just slightly concerned that Barnes would offer little counter attacking threat from fullback, and it's on the counter that Aus look dangerous (when they don't kick it back that is). Instead of dropping Barnes, give him a chance to atone for his sins one last time. Surely if he is specifically coached not to kick all week, his propensity to boot it away might be tempered. If he continues to boot it away, contrary to the game plan, then he's just a dumb footballer, plain and simple. If he can adjust his natural style to suit the gameplan, it would be commendable....
jimmyjam
Guest
Centre would be good for higgers...... if he could catch the pill consistently!!
Jimbo Jones
Guest
Is he going to have the courage to run it back for any broken play opportunities?
mania
Guest
jimmyjam - havent looked closely at dennis' work load, but he isnt seasgulling like higgers so cant be all bad. higgers definately needs to move into the backs. i agree with you that he doesnt play in the forwards putting his pack under pressure. he would make a great centre tho and would be a back that actually knows how to clean out a ruck. win win for aus aac i would like to move to 12 as i reckon he'd be a better playmaker than mccabe.
jimmyjam
Guest
What do you mean? Higgers has been playing 13 hasn't he? (or maybe 14?) The guy is unfortunately a passenger for approx 75 minutes a match. He certainly hasn't been playing in the forwards! Unfortunately many (reds) fans get a woody over an occcaional half break and think he's the next messiah. Dennis, although limited, at least gets his hands dirty. Re: 'surely there must be more hardaz blindside flankers out there who can hit and have a decent work ethic." Unfortunately Dennis is the best we have at present, though I would be inclined to try Cadyrn Neville or Jarrad Saffy (if he recovers). Am also very keen to see young Luke Jones in the 6 jersey, he was very impressive in a few matches for the rebs this year as a 6. He looks the goods. Otherwise, Barnes as a 15 kind of solves a problem... beale to go, AAC to stay at 13......forever, and a spot to find for JOC which could slot in at 12 for McCabe, who goes to bench for faingaa. Back line then looking better.
mania
Guest
jutsie - i have faith that he can. he seems to cocky not to.
Jutsie
Guest
No arguments from me mania, hopefully he can.
mania
Guest
jutsie - i reckon he's either not ready physically and has been rushed back or he has too much on his mind that he's not coping with. i rated beale as the best counter attacking fullback last season and reckon he still has the xFactor to be so again. just needs to sort out his baggage before he comes back to the wb's. ps - whatever his baggage is it doesnt matter. all that does is he sorts it and regains his form.
Jutsie
Guest
Its a big fall from grace for beale isnt it. Back in may he was the 2nd best 10 in aus after CL and was going from strength to strength. He was a shoe in for the 10 jumper during the welsh series before getting injured against the canes. He gets injured and then gets on the grog whilst he should have been recuperating, the rest is history. I hope he can get his head and body back into shape as he is my favourite current wallaby back to watch when he is on song.
mania
Guest
i like the idea of barnes at 15. means he's not wasting all that possession but is still around to kick goals. beale needs a rest and to re-evaluate qwhether he wants to continue AAC imo should be moved closer to the ball as he will create more oppotunities with it than mccabe who is a straight running battering ram who is dennis? i've been watching him for these RC tests and still i know nothing about him or how he got in and keeps his wb's jersey. surely there must be more hardaz blindside flankers out there who can hit and have a decent work ethic. i'd recommend higgers but i'd also be quick to sub him if he doesnt do the dark arts and wastes his time on the wing. in fact i'd trial higgers as a 13. aac can baby sit and get the best out of him. moore i reckon should start tho have to admit that tpn played well despite looking like he knocked himself out in the 1st 20. good luck aus...you'll need it. puma's are a quality side and so far have been the most consistently competitive.
Jutsie
Guest
Actuallly beale was consistently outstanding for the rebels when uninjured. Do your self a favour and grab a copy of the rebels v crusaders and rebels v bulls games to see a number 10 in top form. And no QC is not the most predictable point of attack, that crown is still on BB's head.
mania
Guest
team announced 15. Berrick Barnes (NSW Waratahs) 14. Dominic Shipperley (Queensland Reds) 13. Adam Ashley-Cooper (NSW Waratahs) 12. Pat McCabe (Brumbies) 11. Digby Ioane (Queensland Reds) 10. Quade Cooper (Queensland Reds) 9. Nick Phipps (Melbourne Rebels) 8. Radike Samo (Queensland Reds) 7. Michael Hooper (Brumbies) 6. Dave Dennis (NSW Waratahs) 5. Nathan Sharpe (Western Force, captain) 4. Kane Douglas (NSW Waratahs) 3. Ben Alexander (Brumbies) 2. Tatafu Polota Nau (NSW Waratahs) 1. Benn Robinson (NSW Waratahs) Run on Reserves: 16. Stephen Moore (Brumbies) or Saia Fainga’a (Queensland Reds) 17. James Slipper (Queensland Reds) 18. Scott Higginbotham (Queensland Reds) 19. Liam Gill (Queensland Reds) 20. Brett Sheehan (Western Force) 21. Anthony Fainga’a (Queensland Reds) 22. Kurtley Beale (Melbourne Rebels)
ianfdesmond
Roar Rookie
Some good points there. Beale has been poor for the Rebels and the Wallabies for some time now. One shimmy against the Boks that didn't result in big gain and that was his evening done. His confidence is shot. As is that of Quade Cooper. Previously mercurial going forward he has arguably become the most predictable point of the Aussie attack. These two could do with some Subbies football to build confidence. I like the idea of Barnes at fullback. As you pointed out he has been kicking away in attack.
mania
Guest
barnes named at 15. jean someone's listening to you.
safari.mick
Guest
Jean, you've got some points absolutely right!! Why CHIP kicks??? In the past two matches Barnes has probably tried 10 and none have come to hand!!! Geez I bet his teammates are pleased that they get to run around the park in defence, NOT!! Barnes to fullback?? Possibility, let's face it any First XV fullback could have caught what Beale hasn't in the last two games. A centre threequarter who straightens the attack?? What a great (original) idea?? Pity Robbie doesn't read our dribble?? As for QC, late in the game without Genia and more time he was influential but would any of us oldtimers really wish to play outside him?? Probably not....tooo unpredictable. And, I still say, take away his time and he is not effective. The AB's and some NZ teams have him sussed. Anyway beggars (read Wallabies) can't be "choosers" we'll take the win!! Lots of injuries but the positive is we get to see fresh blood under pressure. Good times.
mania
Guest
jean polet - what a brilliant idea, try barnes at 15. why's no one thought of this before? beale then could sit the pine and get his hunger levels up. moving AAC to 12 would not only provide a level head but also a kicker. get a big strong straight running centre, tapuai ideally digby has a lot to offer as a wing so i wouldnt move him yet. jean - u are wrong though about some things , garlic should not be used sparingly