The defensive strategy set against a team will largely be determined by the calibre and playing style of the opposition no 10.
It has been interesting to hear about Graham Henry’s disingenuous lauding of Quade Cooper’s skills. Indeed in this way Robbie Deans played into Henry’s hands in the last Rugby World Cup.
The one team that the All Blacks genuinely fear is the Wallabies, especially the Wallaby backs. Cooper had a lamentable Rugby World Cup, where the speed of the defence at this level (as opposed to the slower Super Rugby) reduced Cooper’s time and space, nullifying his passing game.
Henry got his preferred choice Wallaby 10 and the rest is history.
Berrick Barnes offered the European style/traditional play of a kicking no 10. This worked a treat against Wales, where the Wallabies out played Wales at their own game. This style is ineffective against the AB’s, who have no peer in counter attacking kicked ball.
It is less effective against the Springboks, especially when they choose to play a lateral game and counter attack kicked ball.
Henry, assisted the Argentine game plan against Cooper recently on the Gold Coast and again Cooper was found wanting, which in no small way contributed to Cooper’s lamentable “toxic environment” outburst.
Cooper at Test level has been found out and now is not sure if he wants to play for the Wallabies any more.
Left with no other choice, Deans selects the last 10 walking and slots in Beale against the Springboks. Beale shines in an awful team display where the Wallabies were literally and figuratively belted off the park.
This last weekend, against Argentina, the Wallabies second XV defied all pundits (including this one) and recorded a brave victory, with Beale again shining in a sloppy game played in intense humidity.
His deft execution off a set piece play to register the Wallabies only try, was sublime.
Beale gives the Wallabies go forward and ignites the back line in a way that has the opposition guessing. He makes it difficult for the Graham Henrys of this world to set a defensive game plan against him.
His game is truly multi dimensional, his defence is excellent and his intuitive feel for time and space is as good as it gets.
I look forward to when James O’Connor returns, preferably at 12, to provide not only an alternate first receiver which will keep the defence coaches guessing even more, but a deft ball runner to take better advantage on what Beale has to offer.
At the end of the day it is the forwards that win matches with the backs determining by how much. But the cleanout/commitment by the Wallabies in this last match against Argentina was excellent.
Let’s hope that from now the Wallaby forwards can deliver some consistency in this regard and continue to give the backs good front foot attacking ball, allowing Beale to do his thing.
Then we can watch the Wallabies run the ball.
Rickety Knees
Roar Guru
Red Kev - Deans criticises Cooper after the Argie Test, Cooper spits the dumby and doesn't want to play anymore and suggests that it is toxic environment because there is no dedicated training facility. Not a peep from the Wallabies and they dig deep in Rosario and win against the odds. Hmmm, mate, there is a massive disconnect there by anybody's standards. The sooner he goes off to the NRL the better.
Red Kev
Guest
That is a pathetic comment, as bad as Campo's "Robbie Deans has destroyed backline play in Australia. He’s virtually destroying Australian rugby in general." But I guess it is considered okay to tear into Cooper, just not Deans.
Rickety Knees
Roar Guru
And at his worst he tears away at the fabric of the game ....
joeb
Guest
He certainly attracts vocal Kiwis, ;) Maybe i shouldn't say this, but if Link was now Wallabies coach we wouldn't be having these discussions. Robbie is now our longest-serving Wallabies coach with 67 tests to his name. Only Bob Dwyer coached more Wallabies tests with 73, but that was with two stints in the job. QC at his best is a crowd puller for both the Reds & Wallabies. Cheers.
joeb
Guest
Nicol'arse, it's quite a straight forward interview: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aexGmSSyVV0&feature=plcp
Mike
Guest
Fans switching from the Tahs to the Reds last year I can understand. But the Reds are a team. My question referred to: "claims that Cooper attracts fans to Australian rugby". Cooper, not the Reds.
joeb
Guest
"There have been a number of claims that Cooper attracts fans to Australian rugby. Does anyone have any figures which would substantiate or refute this?" Last year’s Fox Super Rugby viewers’ stats – that Spiro mentioned at the time in fact – which confirmed that NSW fans were turning off watching the hopeless Tahs in droves and instead tuning in to watch Link’s-coached Qld Reds. I was certainly one of them. Odd that you don’t remember this now, Mike? And here are those comments from Stephen Moore that I mentioned a week or two ago (read into it what we will): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WlYkeOPWuy0&feature=plcp Bon appétit, off to lunch.
Blinky Bill of Bellingen
Guest
Nicol'arse - I hope your praise of KB doesn't come back to bite you. At the moment the guy is going okay with his behaviour and we all know why. But he is just as capable of being a numb nuts as QC or any other dipstick out there. And I don't think he would have interview any better on the Rugby Club than QC managed to do.
Blinky Bill of Bellingen
Guest
This idea that we let him go. Is it accurate? I was as disappointed as the next guy that he left. But I mean the guy can't be 'made' to stay if he has other plans. I'm hoping the Tahs have found their guy in Cheika and that within a reasonable time we will start to play good Rugby that brings back the crowds and the sponsors. Of course such a team also attracts good quality players. Personally I think we got a pretty good deal in AAC. He's my choice at 15 for the Tahs.
Nicol'arse
Guest
Red Kev & Kuruki, I understand your points about QC being a potential PR draw card (if managed correctly) and he may even be the most talented 10 in the country. And I'm sure there are issues within the Wallabies & the ARU even though he didn't have the brains or balls (or both) to articulate them properly. BUT everything he has done from the initial 'toxic' tweet to his incomprehensible interview on the Rugby Club points towards a guy who had already penned a League contract prior to starting all this. And yet you guys are still holding out hope for him to return? Forget it he's gone. It was his call. Time to move on. And do you really think Beale is not capable of some 'wow factor' too? At least he can defend... and at least he doesn't appear to think the world owes him something.
Mike
Guest
There have been a number of claims that Cooper attracts fans to Australian rugby. Does anyone have any figures which would substantiate or refute this?
Mike
Guest
There is indeed a "gag order" in place, but it doesn't stop them talking: "Cooper's comments sparked anger yesterday among many Wallaby players, both in team camp in South Africa and back in Australia. "To say you would deny the opportunity to play for your country if selected is incredibly disrespectful to the guys who will wear the gold jersey this weekend, to people who have worn it in the past and every supporter who wears it as well," one senior Wallaby said. "It is a privilege to be able to play for the Wallabies. If you feel like you are better than that, it is time to move on." A second senior player, who also requested to remain unnamed due to them breaching ARU media protocol, said: "The state of Australian rugby and the Wallabies is not as grim as is being made out." Cooper said he had supporters but the senior players said a vast majority of Wallabies did not back the "toxic environment" assertions. It was confirmed team elders had been concerned for some time about the attitudes of a group of younger players, including Cooper, and the impact of the leeway given to them by team officials. "There are things said and done, guys feel like `if that was me, I would get my contract torn up'," one player said. "Can you imagine Stephen Larkham, or even Dan Carter, saying these sorts of things?" Though he is entitled to his views, the second player said, "the way Quade went about it, that's the disappointing thing." "It's just not a good look for the game in general," he said. "And it's disappointing we are talking about this when they boys are playing an important Test in Pretoria. Benn Robinson is playing his 50th Test."" See: http://www.news.com.au/sport/rugby-gold/wallabies-tell-disgruntled-teammate-quade-cooper-to-take-a-walk/story-fndpt9s1-1226483774295
Rickety Knees
Roar Guru
Sorry guys, Cooper has painted himself into a corner with nowhere to go - he did his best to alienate himself with his toxic comment and then his bumbling follow up on the Rugby show with his explanation centred around the lack of a decicated training venue. The game is bigger than any one player, especially one who no longer wants to play for the team. Beale, at least, still wants to play for the Wallabies, is keen for the position (where he has played most of his life and was first choice ahead of Cooper in School Boy Rugby) and has done well in his 2 starts. Sure the test will truly come against the AB's - he played well against the Saffers behind a beaten pack, hopefully the Wallaby T5 can provide some front foot ball and we can see what KB can deliver. If that happens it will be Quade who ?????
Kuruki
Roar Guru
Australian rugby is loosing it wow factor. Nobody really gets excited to watch them play because the est matches have been such poor quality of basic skills and no flair whatsoever. A fit QC can get people inot the stands and can make rugby attractive again. Dropping him from the game would be another nail in the coffin.
Red Kev
Guest
Because it's not important to actually get people to rugby games is it? You think anyone goes to a match to see Barnes? Bwahahahahaha! Quade Cooper is the only thing in Australian rugby that is making any impact with the next generation against the NRL, ARL and A-League.
Red Kev
Guest
Or perhaps they were issued a gag order - I would have expected the entire team to be told "no talking to the press without the media guy present" the moment Cooper started firing from the hip in public
Indio
Guest
Perhaps it dawned on them that they needed the ARU to continue to enjoy the standard of living they've got, more than the ARU needed them.
bozo
Guest
Red Kev You must be kidding. Who cares if Cooper gets on ok with a couple of players in the team. He has trashed the Wallabies which goes along way beyond a couple of current players and some Reds supporters. Let him go!
Rickety Knees
Roar Guru
Hopefully the ARU will cut Cooper loose
Rickety Knees
Roar Guru
Agree mate - fingers (and toes) crossed. It just a shame that those dingbats at Waratahs Inc let him go ...