On the weekend we saw two teams that were under significant pressure to perform. The Springboks at home lifted their game, knowing how fickle their supporters can be. The Wallabies, on the other hand, were awful.
They are not the team that they could be.
In fact, it was quite frightening to witness, again, just how far Australian rugby has fallen.
Look at the unfortunate attempt at a tackle by the Aussie fullback as an example.
How many Tests has he played? Yet he still put his head directly in front of player lunging for the line to stop him.
I tell the kids that you never put your head in front of another player. It’s a fundamental basic of the game.
He was knocked out as a result. It’s a simple schoolboy error, and I ask why it’s happening at that level?
I would love to know what these guys are doing at training. There seems to be a lack of focus on the basics and the scary fact is that serious injuries can occur as a result.
I cannot stress enough that Australia need to get back to simple, basic rugby. Get someone in there who can instill the team with the fighting spirit they used to have and play for each other.
Cooper has come out and said he doesn’t want to play for the Wallabies because of the ‘toxic environment’ of the camp. That is a fairly alarming comment for us as the public.
It reveals, finally, from a player’s perspective the truth of what is going on behind close doors.
And what a shame.
Cooper is a remarkable talent, yet instead of being nurtured and moulded, he has been hung out to dry by his coach through over exposure to the media, and a lack of discipline and direction.
Players like him don’t come around that often and it looks very much like our opportunity to mould him into greatness has been lost.
Players need to be reminded that it’s about the team, the performance, and all who have gone before them in the jersey. There are too many selfish players in this team and they’re not working hard enough for each other on the field.
And then there’s all the injuries the team have suffered this year. It’s unacceptable.
What are the trainers doing?
Look at the All Blacks, by comparison, who have been through just as much rugby, but with a fraction of the same player problems.
It seems that league is still having far too much influence in Australian rugby. The ex-Leaguies in the game are not helping at all; they’re actually destroying the game.
And Deans has done a very poor job managing his bench, which has contributed to the injury toll. On the weekend, remarkably, it even led to the Wallabies using up their replacements with nearly 10 minutes left on the clock. Schoolboy mistakes.
It all comes back to the truth that there are a lot of problems off the field, which are starting to come onto the field.
Australian rugby is at the lowest ebb I’ve ever seen it: there is no discernible pattern of play, we have two centers who don’t pass the ball, and we don’t play as a team.
Deans may as well send out 15 forwards to smash the ball up, such is the lack of impact the backs are having.
We need to get someone in there to inspire the team, to talk about Australian rugby, its history, and how we won two World Cups.
The players have clearly had enough with the current set-up. There’s no spirit, no heart and no inspiration there. They just don’t care.
mactheblack
Guest
Aussies will never be on par with ABs in my lifetime - plain to see. The one time is when Ella Bros were playing and showing the flair - the great era. When greats like Eales, Gregan, Vickerman, Williams, Larkham moved on they were difficult to replace. If they continue with guys like Samo, who is a bit of a ole crock by now, points to Aussies' problems. Faa'inga brothers though guys with a lot of fight and passion for the jersey, their skill levels are lacking. Except for Moore, front row up the pole. Sharpey is also getting on. Pockock alll class - Aussies need more of that type of player. Beale is found now to be a No. 10 - so what do they do at fullback? Barnes? - oh no; he's no flyhalf either in the mould of Larkham.! This lynching of Deans is, excuse me, a lot of BS - look at the team Dingo has to choose. South Africa should try to lure Dingo to Bok country after they're rid of Heyneke. The Dingo lynching is nothing but Trans-Tasman rugby politics. By the way, Campo makes some great points about the ABs, but since he's in the Sharks setup in SA I'm starting to wonder if his passion for the Wallas has faded? He's known to do the odd goosestep, ain't he?
amband
Guest
I'd say a few league blokes would tackle Lomu. He certainly would have found it more difficult
peter
Guest
he tackled with the wrong shoulder. under 7s learn to use the CORRECT SHOULDER not the FAVORITE SHOULDER. head on, use your favourite. side on you must use the correct one, or you put your head in the way of a players legs, and risk getting kod.
johnb747b
Guest
The joys of club rugby. I ran around in lower grades for Sydney University in the early 60s and my heart remains with the blue and gold stripes. On the other hand I loved going to Coogee Oval which used to attract good crowds (not sure if it still does but I hope so). One could go to the rugby club for a cleansing ale or two after the game. It was usually possible to see the redoubtable Jeff Sayle in his appointed place. I saw Bob Outterside there on one occasion. There were other stalwarts of the club around. I also used to enjoy an ale after an Eastwood game up their way. As with the Wicks, one always felt welcome at a Woodies post-match drink. The test players always looked forward to returning to play for their clubs. Club followers loved to see them back in club colours. On another note, when coached as a FB in the late 50s I was taught to keep my head to the side, NEVER to get caught with it in front when effecting a tackle. It was shrewd coaching. I was also taught other things such as positioning myself to make an opponent run towards the sideline, depriving him of the chance to come inside me and giving me the chance to put him over the sideline; and moving towards a man running alone at me, to cut down his thinking time and perhaps make him do something rash. Both techniques worked. Campo's Book on Tackling might be a candidate for the skinniest book of all time, rivalling The Ethics of Real Estate.
Wal
Roar Guru
I agree to think the Kidney problems first raised their ugly head in 1996 when he was only 21-22. His book is great read and he shows some real insights only life experience can bring.
Wal
Roar Guru
Very simplistic to say all of the pride and passion is because of the coach, perhaps all the negative feedback they keep getting from their supporter base has eroded some of the Pride and Passion. Not saying I am a QC fan but you can imagine what some of the trolls on twitter send to him at times.
Suzy Poison
Guest
Agree with Campo, and Agree with Wal. Reid, is the best 8 in world rugby by some distance. Spies...well, that old saying comes to mind. "Looks like Tarzan, plays like Jane." Even Meyer doesn’t rate him. Lomu is a legend, whichever way you look at it. The Boks had to get three players onto him, so that he wouldn't get any momentum, because with momentum, he was unstoppable. Yes, the Boks, never let him score, but that freed up space for the other players, Boks didn't win too many after 95 against the AB's. I know this is an Australian site, but all this talk from Campo and the history of Jono, made me think about another bloke who is going thru a tough time of it now, with an incurable muscle disease. Yes, Joost Van de Westhuizen played the final of the 1995 Cup with a broken rib. He is only bloke I have seen who tackled Lomu, when Lomu was at top speed, front on, round the legs. And the fact that he made that game saving tackle in 95 World Cup, when he was playing with broken ribs, says a lot about the courage of the man. Fight on Joost, our thoughts are with you. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X4EQaOdoaUY
peterlala
Guest
Mania and Daz, touch is the closet thing to a game, without contact. It is essential. Forwards against backs to develop combinations. Add penaltes -- like 10 press ups, a lap of the field, etc -- to ensure high speed. Within one season you would have a team of ball players. I have seen it happen.
peterlala
Guest
Mania, I have heard Johah talk. He is not only intelligent, but wise as well. You quote Chester Williams saying the Boks never discussed Johah. Well, how did they decide to "put 2-3 defenders on jonah because they knew he wouldnt off load and the play would die there". You also say "brains beats brawn always, every day of the week and twice on sundays". Surely that means Johah had brains, as he beat a lot of people. Even if you were right, why would you be so mean about a rugby hero -- an international hero.
peterlala
Guest
AAC did everything possible to stop a try. And was successful. What a hero.
hog
Guest
This is an excellent point onside and in many ways highlights the problem. "Real rugby passion revolves around being able to follow a team on a weekly basis, and crossing the road after the game for a beer in the local rugby clubhouse." i agree because of the structure of aus rugby supporters do not feel they belong.
bennalong
Guest
Thanks Frank Glad I helped get you firing. Interesting observations. I was wary of Eddie Jones and I feel Steven Larkham was so pivotal to turning out the game plan as well as carrying it out that this was the basis of the player revolt against Nicifora at the Brumbies Any thoughts on Nuciforas power in the ARU structure Again an impression but I think Deans has less freedom than most people believe and that Nucifora is O'Neil's rat in the ranks Any thoughts?
Crazy Horse
Guest
I do agree about there being too many selfish players. I won't tolerate it in the under 12s. No matter how good the player is (or thinks he is) he plays to the coaches instructions as part of the team or he doesn't play.
Ben.S
Roar Guru
Frank, This was the era of Latham, Mortlock, Larkham, Tuqiri, Rogers and Giteau. I don't think there was a huge need to make too many changes in the backs. The Australian front row was weak so he tried players like Holmes, Baxter, Dunning, Shepardson, Blake, Hardman, McIsaac, Robinson etc.
Steve
Guest
Agreed: it's difficult to tire of someone like Campo, but his whinging about how League has killed the game etc is getting old, and disrespecting the players who actually care seems counter productive at best.
Anto
Guest
Here, here, johnb. More than once this year, I've had to bite my lip, rather than telling my son and his U10's, "If you can't get to the breakdown faster than that, boys, then you'll end up playing for the Wallabies."
Skills & Techniques
Guest
Hi from earth Campo. The team showed more guts in defeat last weekend than they have for years. No one belly-ached no one gave up. Their prep was interrupted by that flimsy dill QC. This week they are coming back with a vengeance. I love this young, rag tag team of all sorts. They will be the nucleus of a hard core pack of winners in a few years. -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download it now [http://itunes.apple.com/au/app/the-roar/id327174726?mt=8].
onside
Guest
Johnb747b Your 'rugby club over the road' analogy is pivotal to this 'must win Wallaby angst' Reason being, I suspect most rugby supporters have little to do with a local club. Tons of talk about needing another comp ,all that, but even if that eventuated ,just how accessible would it be to most rugby supporters. Point is,real rugby is local rugby. The thousands of ROAR posts reflect not so much the frustration in the Wallabies, but rather a far deeper malaise, that there is no other rugby to talk about. By and large I suspect most 'rugby supporters' only follow the game on television, which ofcourse is Test or Super rugby. Real rugby passion revolves around being able to follow a team on a weekly basis, and crossing the road after the game for a beer in the local rugby clubhouse. Test rugby should be the icing on the cake for rugby supporters,an added extra. But to mány people,those without a local club, Test rugby is all they have. From a rugby perspective that it is both sad and shallow. Winning has become more important than the actual game.
Adam-15
Roar Pro
Lats, Tapuai played 13 in all his games for the reds this year and although i think he is suited to 12 , there's no doubt he would be fine at 13. That being said having a player like McCabe at inside centre will hamper his ability to make an impact.
Xiedazhou
Guest
If that were true Rob, can you please explain the under-representation of players from the 2 best performed teams in the Australian conference (Reds and Brumbies), who are incidentally coached by the best coaches in the Australian Super 15 conference. It is Deans who chose average cattle from underperforming and poorly coached franchises. There were alternatives that he chose to ignore. The problem is at least in part of Deans' own creation.