The capitulation by the Wallabies on Saturday night was nothing more than embarrassing.
Again the men in gold entered an arena (a hostile one at that) with the plan to kick away possession and hope for Springbok mistakes. This tried and tested game plan was only going to end one way, just like the past 4 tests – horribly!
The tone was set when Mr. Versatile (Berrick Barnes) thought a chip come grubber from his own 22 in the first 5 minutes, was the way to open the game up. The aimless kicking continued and it wasn’t just Barnes to blame.
After another mindless hoof downfield, a noteworthy front-row specialist in commentary commented ‘you can’t beat South Africa in a kicking duel on the high-veldt.’ Now if a prop who has experienced all the rough and tumble that international rugby dishes up can identify this, why can’t the current crop of Wallaby players and staff?
A majority of the pre-match media hype (if you could call an article here, a page there that) was all in support of another Mr. Versatile (Kurtley Beale) moving to 10 therefore creating the notion we’ll be playing an expansive game.
To an extent this occurred as most times Beale had the ball in hand the game came alive. But didn’t Quade ‘Toxic” Cooper bring this to the table before succumbing to injury?
And just to rub salt into the wounds of all who witnessed Saturday’s game, unfortunately the Wallaby staff on the sideline are unable to count. Or for that matter concentrate on the simple idea of ‘substitutions.’
In my 20 years of watching rugby live or on the box, I have never witnessed a more farcical scene as the one that played out on the sidelines in Pretoria.
I felt sorry for Saia Fainga’a who lost out on a Wallaby cap due to poor organisation on the part of his team’s coaching staff.
With all of this on the table, surely the problem lies with the Wallaby coaching staff and administration. And if I may delve deeper into the wound, the problem is becoming ‘toxic’ for rugby at state and club level.
Don’t get me wrong, John O’Neil has been a revelation for Australian Rugby otherwise we wouldn’t have grasped him back from the FFA. But I think there needs to be a massive spotlight shone on what is happening below him that’s contributing to the ongoing problems of NSW Rugby and our national set up.
The way in which Michael Foley was able to commit to an unstable franchise then swan out as an even worse-off organisation came looking, was a debacle.
However as a Waratah fan, I was pleased to see ‘the worst kept secret in Super rugby’ come true when Michael Cheika arrived. Although his success was purely based in Europe, the guy knows NSW rugby after successful playing and coaching roles at Randwick.
There are forever rumours and stories that circulate rugby circles in and out of Sydney relating to poor decisions from our games administrators. I’m of the opinion that to succeed on the field, decisions off it need to be improved.
Parrot
Guest
The game needs to become everymans game, not just the private school brigades domain.
Cliff (Bishkek)
Guest
Amband -- came in late but all I can say is -- A Bloody Beauty!!! Keep it up
roges
Roar Rookie
I certainly wasn't having a go at the players, Jack. I agree with your comments on all the misfortune they suffered in Pretoria. My concerns raised lie clearly with the administrators and coaching staff in Australian rugby. The capitulation occurred due to poor management, not lack of effort on the field.
Mike
Guest
i think that is probably correct. But it needs the ARU to clearly identify the issues and the proposed solution, and share it with the various stakeholders, like the States. They probably will be prepared to share some pain if it is clearly understood why it is being done, and that everyone is joining in.
amband
Guest
" Don’t get me wrong, John O’Neil has been a revelation for Australian Rugby " https://i.chzbgr.com/completestore/12/10/6/D8tlJfgzb0aqosmUtEFcCg2.jpg
sheek
Roar Guru
Hi AndyS, I would imagine any governing body can find ways to impose its will if it is drastically important enough that they should.....
chris
Guest
Australian Sporting mess over load and still going around in circles with Need a tier between Shute Shield and S15 yawn. NRL expansion. AFL to take over all Australia. Soccer the sleeping giant. Too many Football codes for a massive country with a low population.
AndyS
Guest
Can they? My understanding is that NSW and Q'ld between them have eight out of fourteen voting delegates - how do they bring them to heel when they effectively own more than half the company?
sheek
Roar Guru
CDD, Okay, never excuse me of ducking the question. I've referred previously to NSW premier rugby clubs as the Sydney 'Mafia'. And that applies to Brisbane premier rugby clubs to a lesser extent. Yes, they're good at impersonating roadblocks. However, the ARU is the governing body for rugby in Australia. Emphasis on 'governing'. So they can bring NSW & Qld to heel if they wish.
CDD
Guest
Sheek , I think you've ducked the question. The States, (yes NSW and Qld) and their tribal attitudes are exactly and have always been the single biggest bloody problem! This has been the tail wagging or obstructing the ARU dog. Lately too much criticism has been directed at the ARU and JON which has suited state based protagonists. No messiah (new coach, new CEO or existing chairman) or silver bullet will fix the perfect storm that has just hit Australian rugby. The governance review should ensure an appropriate administrative structure (thank god the Govt forced the issue) but rest assured it will take certain elements in both states a while, some never, to play nice for the benefit of Australia and not just their tribe. So all the best ideas in the world will amount to naught until we fix the approach to state and national administration of the game. What could of course hasten positive change is if some new threat to the existing order like the commercial idea ala the new comp idea emanating from Leichardt or Balmain if I recall, which in conjunction with the new structure might just shake the cage well enough. So I am with Roges - negative constraining State politics need to be exposed. Would be great if some level headed insiders provided a balanced view on this matter. Perhaps a series of articles on the factual administration issues affecting positive outcomes for both states and the national team are in order here on The Roar.
AJH
Guest
Sheek, I agree with a lot if the points you make. But if I look at the rejuvenation of the Reds - I think the same can be dove at the top level, I think the SANZAR negotiations with News Ltd was also bad and more free2air coverage should have occurred - at-least for exposure of Super Rugby. Also there seems to be far too much political barriers at the ARU - it comes out in selections. There seems to be a lack of consideration for form Super rugby players ahead of reputation. We also need a comp between club and super rugby level. I would have preferred that instead of 5 teams in Super rugby.
GWS
Guest
And bust up the private school monopoly. Appeal to the masses. The first rugby code that has the nutsack to step away from their core supporters and embrace the public will win.
Dave
Guest
Sheek I have to agree on these points. Sadly point 1 is reflected by points 2-4. Has John O'Neil been involved with any positive action involving Australian rugby during his second tenure?
AndyS
Guest
I agree up to a point LH, but do think RB has a point when he says that "for Aussie to be strong, the Waratahs need to be sorted out". There are a lot of similarities between the Wallabies and Waratahs, particularly in that they both seem to do enough without ever looking good doing it. Both look very much like they could and should do so much better, and if one could do so it would flow on to the other. Instead you're always left with the feeling with both that, if they could just put it together, achieve a balance and find that spark...
formeropenside
Guest
Rubbish Red Block, a strong Tahs is irrelevant one way or another. A strong Queensland - and picking those Queenslanders - is all that is required.
sheek
Guest
It's always acceptable to put forward constructive criticism. And being able to acknowledge & accept same is a test of character. Australian rugby does have a raft of problems it needs to sort out. 1. Overahul of administration. O'Neill needs to be retired & the game needs a new, fresh outlook. 2. A bridging tier between super rugby & premier rugby is required to funnel the talent coming through, & tighten the competition. 3. Basic skills of leading players has dropped alarmingly. Coaching needs to be improved dramatically at all levels. 4. A massive recruitment drive at junior levels is required, increasing player participation numbers. 5. The Wallabies, Waratahs, Reds, Rebels, Brumbies & Force - all players & coaches - need to realise the future of our game is in their hands, & to play a more compelling style of rugby that will attract more players, fans, sponsors, media exposure & revenue streams.
formeropenside
Guest
The IRB apologized on the basis that Ben Alexander was injured. Which he wasn't.
levelheaded
Guest
Redblock what a joke mate, the Waratahs have played 5 of the 7 last years in the finals, stop this crap that they are a mess. yes they haven't won, but stop the other crap! Comments like yours are a reason why te game continues to be seen as amatuer.
levelheaded
Guest
Agree Red Kev, this industry of Rugby is still amateur - gossip, rumours etc are all bs. Needs ALL involved to mature.
garth
Guest
if the states block any attempt to correct things, then they are the problem.