Before my sporting focus moves into this wacky, conflicted time on the calendar where runs overlap with rucks, I thought it was worth giving the Wallabies domestic season one last poring over to find some semblance of positivity.
It was a season in which everything that could go wrong just about did, save for losing every game. But even then, those three Rugby Championship wins and the Bledisloe draw were all close-run things.
Happily, there were still a few things to like about the Wallabies in 2012, and here’s five things that were worth enduring all the angst, all the frustration, all the annoyance, all the head scratching, all the remote throwing, all the… well, you get the picture.
Michael Hooper
I generally find predictions about best-and-fairest winners to be a lottery, but I would think Hooper has to have established a healthy tally for the John Eales Medal already.
It has to be the ultimate compliment of Hooper’s first full season in the Gold no.7 jersey that suggestions now abound as to whether David Pocock could or should return on the blindside flank, or even at number 8.
Hooper’s speed off the mark often found opposition defenders having to act quicker than anticipated, and his ability to break the first tackle so regularly is fast becoming a feature of his game. His 70m dash off the back of a lineout in Rosario was a perfect highlight of just how quick across the ground he is.
He regularly tops tackle counts, and is always right up there with his metres run. If there’s one aspect he can improve on, it’s his pilfering numbers which, while still good, perhaps should be a touch higher considering he’s often first Wallaby defender on the scene.
He does, however have time on his side to rectify this, and it’s scary to think how good he could be in even five or six years’ time, never mind ten.
Sitaleki Timani
I’ve already admitted – and I was happy to do it – that my preconceptions about Sitaleki Timani as a Wallaby were off the mark. Credit to those who spruiked him as an option early in the piece while I could still only see questionable fitness and hands like feet.
I will say, though, that admitting you’re wrong about judging a player’s ability to take the next step in spite of the form he’d shown is actually a rather nice, fuzzy-tummy feeling.
Timani has just gone from strength to strength in the Wallaby jumper this year, and it’s certainly a welcome addition to have his extra size and presence in the second row. He presents a bulk that hasn’t been seen in an Australian lock for a while now.
As was the case with Hooper above, I still have one little gripe about Timani’s game, and that’s his lack of use in the lineout. I realise this probably isn’t something he has much say in, but you can’t help but feel the waste in a two-metre-plus lock being stationed in midfield on your own throw. It’s like leaving the V8 in the garage and taking a hybrid out for a Sunday jaunt.
Kane Douglas
Depth at Lock is still a concern for the Wallabies, and Robbie Deans’ suggestion to me back in July that the “locking stocks probably aren’t that flash” still rings true now, even with the likes of Hugh Pyle, Caderyn Neville, and co. in sight of the national side.
Kane Douglas got an opportunity against Argentina on the Gold Coast, where he had a belter on debut, and has already learnt the lesson in subsequent outings that this Test Rugby thing doesn’t always go your way.
Regardless, he’s quickly established himself as a genuine Test Lock and, with similar dimensions to his Waratahs teammate Timani, you can see the Wallabies having some good size in this department once James Horwill is back to full fitness next year.
More impressively, Douglas showed the likes of Pyle, Neville, and even Rob Simmons the benefits of making the most of any opportunity given.
Ben Tapuai and Nick Cummins
I could easily have separated these two guys into their own points of happiness, but their inclusion here is more about the future than of their performances themselves. Australian rugby depth can’t be all bad when guys like these two emerge.
Neither Tapuai nor Cummins looked out of their depth in their late-season outings, and both showed a preference to take the defences on directly wherever possible, which has made a nice change for the early tendency to kicking everything and anything.
Tapuai, especially, looks to be forming a nice combination with Pat McCabe in midfield, and while there are plenty of valid questions as to how or why it took so long for this union to surface, I see no concerns with the Wallabies going forward with this centre pairing.
Cummins, as an aside, also provided some of the funniest quotes to go to print this season. Do yourself a favour and find Cummins’ descriptions on what a honey badger supposedly did to a lion; genuine laugh-out-loud stuff in what is often a sea of cliché.
Mongrel shown
The last two Tests under Nathan Sharpe’s late-blooming captaincy have not only produced some quality displays of character and patience, but also a factor that all-too-many Wallaby supporters have been suggesting for some time has been missing: the Wallabies showed a bit of mongrel.
Aggression at the breakdown, intent in the tackle area, and some good signs of a scrum being able to hold its own against some of the best packs on the planet have all been noted. Scott Higginbotham, it should be said, also showed good quantities of mongrel in his last appearance, if perhaps not a whole lot of subtlety to go with it.
It’s all about what Michael Chieka talks about in his now-fabled quote of wanting to see “a bit of dog” in his Waratahs next year. It’s not about thuggery or dirty play (are you still with me, Scott?), but about showing the Wallabies won’t be intimidated by records or reputations, and will stand up to whoever’s in front of them.
And let’s hope there’s more if it, and other signs of improvement in Europe over the next month.
Toothless and ruthless
Guest
sorry worlds biggest i was just trying to understand for o sides comments on cummins. Sitting bison answered as i should have done
Ra
Guest
Tours, we hear, are great for developing players. There has been a lot of comment about Timani, his bulk, his height, his hamstring, his running style etc etc and his being a non jumping lock, and at his height all those critics could be rightly frustrated. However, saying there is no room for a non jumping lock in test rugby might be a bit short sighted. Robbie Deans inherited a guy at the Crusaders who couldn't even play rugby, let alone jump in line outs. He took that guy into his All Blacks squad and he performed okay without being great. Henry dumped the guy then reinstated him after Deans developed him in the Crusaders to be some sort of a jumper. Yes I am talking about rugby union and leagues man of steel, Brad Thorn. Many Roarers are hard to please. But Deano has only just now got the Wallabies pack playing close to anything like a Crusaders pack. That's what they've looked like in their last two games, that's got to be their bottom line. Timani has been a big part of that development. I like the boy. He won't come back from this tour as the big man of the pack, the "go to" man, he and Douglas could do that in tandem. Later with age and experience they could step up to the Thorn like status. Remember, the All Blacks locks are the same age as these two. They've got Ali Williams on tour to develop them, these boys have Sharpe (two crusty old Thorn type veterans) and a Crusaders-like attitude already instilled from playing together in these last two games.
Ra
Guest
I forgot to say - damn you Douglas !!!!!
rl
Guest
Brett, good note to end the southern hemisphere season on, well played! My positives, largely like many other posted here: - some good young talent getting blooded. Even the ones that only managed to make the Wallaby training squad will benefit - the Brumbies - showed the other Aussie franchises how to play as a team. If not for their injury woes at 10, we might have seen them acquit themselves well in the finals - Sharpie - great finish to a great career. And good to see that there is some very promising young locks following in his footsteps, who will have benefitted geatly from playing beside him. - my renewed faith in the meaning of the jersey - the players themselves dispelled any rumours of team disharmony wih some really gritty performances
soapit
Guest
he's always been one of the best locks in oz but i suspect they got tired of his stupid penalty habit and gambled that the next crop would be able to step up but they didnt unfortunately so he shoulda been back in a long time ago. he still gives away too many dumb penalties to be honest but he's on the downhll run and is adding good value as captain.
onside
Guest
The mirror on the wall of too many Wallaby supporters is New Zealand. Its reflection underpins the mindset of the rugby pessimist. Being a rugby pessimist is a very secure position because it denies the greater challenge of having a positive point of view; optimism Being optimistic takes an effort. Its never a predictable safe position. The expectations of a rugby pessimist are always that low it is pretty much impossible for them to be dissapointed. Even when Australia wins the pessimist decries the margin. Its amazing how many rugby pessimists see themselves as pragmatists. I got pleasure from Scotlands win, and in particular Samoa. Imagine for a moment the feeling it gave their peoples. Ofcourse I want the Wallabies to win,but isn't understanding the joy the Samoans must have got out of their a rare victory in Australia what rugby is all about. Good article Brett. Tough gig though, because rugby journalism seems predisposed towards what's wrong.
sheek
Roar Guru
Yeah thanks Brett, But I still can't win an argument with my wife or teenage daughter, no matter how apparently watertight & seemingly profound my arguments..........
soapit
Guest
huh? now that you've woken me up, i agree brett. its a lesson aussie teams have been slow to learn over the years and it was good to have it happen in a game that didnt have a lot riding on it as far as test matches go. thinking back there are not too many games australia has won with a field goal and we have usually played for the penalty over the years (a big string we've been missing from our bow imo) so we cant crucify these young fellas for not doing it on this occasion. i too was able to look on the bright side that we didnt win the penalty so we learn the lesson the hard way - but not the hardest way (a loss) as the lesson might have been lost in the post match blame game
Brett McKay
Expert
Geez you make it difficult to argue sometimes, Sheek!!!
Brett McKay
Expert
and this isn't the thread to talk about it on (again) Johnno. I'm not forgetting any of that, I'm just not talking about it today..
Ra
Guest
That boy Douglas reminded me of a young Ali Williams the way he charged around the paddock, throwing his big frame around like a No7 and causing all sorts of destruction in defense. His injection and the timing of it actually tilted the game away from the All Blacks. I thought that his interference actually saved at least two potential five pointers within a 10 minute period. Coaches should take the live clip of his inclusion in the game and play it to their teams as part of their coaching manuals as an exemplar of what is required from an impact player.
bennalong
Guest
What a refreshing read Brett with plenty of good natured responses It goes without saying I agree with you! If only we could get Johnno to see the light, poor bugger.
Johnno
Guest
HE HE why not just put Nathan Gray at no 7 too, or Condrad Smith or Anthony Faiangaa lol.
sheek
Roar Guru
Brett, I'm a bit mischievous now as your post heads towards the century of hits. And I especially wish I had thought of it as a response to Spiro's article the other day, urging rugby followers to keep the faith. I suppose when Australian tennis was still going gang-busters in the late 60s, there might have been some guy warning that Tennis Australia (or whatever it was called back then) should set in place some sort of formalised academy rather than rely on a relentless stream of natural talent to keep us at the top. He was probably howled down as a blinkered pessimist. The system's working well, why change it? I suppose when West Indies cricket was producing fast-men in the 70s through 90s, as if they were falling out of coconut trees, there might have been some guy warning that the WICB ought to put in place some sort of formailsed academy rather than rely on a relentless stream of natural talent to keep them on top. He was probably howled down as a pessimist. The system's working well, why change it? I actually think it's healthy that there are people out there challenging the status quo & suggesting things can be better, especially if it is done via constructive criticism & alternative, viable suggestions. There is in my humble opinion, an unhealthy view that Australian rugby has done things a certain way for over 100 years, with reasonable success & we don't need to change. Yet our history doesn't support this unfounded hubris. Yep Uncle, I've reloaded..... ;-)
Johnno
Guest
Brett are we all forgetting Deans awful efforts in those 2 weeks vs the AB'S this year , and the awful effort in at altitude Pretoria vs the Boks, we were still trailing in the game and struggling even before all the injuries hit in that match. SO many roarers wanted Deans sacked after the NZ losses right there and now. And I also forgot to mention our loss to Scotland too was awful, not to mention our awful 2011 world cup and our awful effort vs Samoa last year. Plus our awful record vs the AB'S int he last 5 years Brett. All these things have 1 thing in common Deans was head coach of all these debacles.
sheek
Roar Guru
Reloading..... :-)
sheek
Roar Guru
And that should have been the other way around of course - max of 2, not 4.
sittingbison
Guest
FOS I cannot recall Cummins dropping a single high ball. The one vs Pumas was a tackle in the air. He has never shirked taking them.
Worlds Biggest
Guest
Toothless what are your opinions ?
Comrade Bear
Roar Rookie
hmmm - my positives for this year are: 1) Brumbies turnaround - played great entertaining Rugby and won games 2) Chris F Sautia - young Reds winger - looks all class and definitely looking forward to seeing more of him play.