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Deans isn't Aussie rugby's only problem

Australia rugby union coach Robbie Deans speaks with players Berrick Barnes and Nick Phipps. (AAP Image/Paul Miller)
Roar Guru
15th November, 2012
12

David Campese has been calling, yet again, for the blood of Robbie Deans. He makes some valid points – the Wallabies try scoring rate is quite atrocious.

No top level international team should have a scoring rate of 12 tries in 12 games, be without a try in two games, and still expect to be top four in the world.

It is true the Wallabies look confused and hesitant with the ball in hand.

Mike Harris is in the team as an NFL style kicker, not for any renowned attacking flair.

Deans has certainly not adapted to the Australian way. Most rugby fans, including myself, and Roar columnists would rather see the team attack the advantage line and use strength, boldness, and intelligence to create gaps, rather than going sideways, waiting for penalties and occasionally trying to force a moment of brilliance.

As Peter Garrett once sang, “It’s better to live on your feet than to die on your knees.”

So while I agree that Deans does need to make way, we also have to realise that it will not instantly fix everything and take us back to the golden era. Other problems are also contributing to a lack of success at the top level.

This article by Roar Guru Atzerodt shows that the rest of the world is catching up to us, participant wise.

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We have just over half the amount of participants New Zealand has and a seventh of South African numbers. The United States has caught up to us in playing numbers.

This automatically translates to less depth.

The lack of a third-tier competition, simply out of a lack of numbers and resources, is often telling, as it creates a serious lack of elite level players.

Our Super Rugby teams were serviceable at best last season, terrible at worst. Losing key players didn’t help, but too often the replacements called up are not good enough.

There are always exceptions, but on the whole the outlook is bleak in that area.

This is not news to anyone, however what can be done to rectify the situation?

Short term, Deans has to be shown the door. The new coach needs to be an ex-Wallaby who shows a bit of passion for the gold shirt and attacking rugby.

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Perhaps blooding young players with potential instead of middling Super Rugby players might go some way to alleviating the feeling of being a stagnating team. Compare Hooper to Cummins.

Elite pathways need to be improved, but I think at the moment there cannot be a radical change until grassroots numbers improve.

Participant numbers are on the way up, but not enough to justify another 10 teams in a third-tier, which has often been proposed.

To link the two, temporarily at least, there needs to be a Super reserve-style comp, much like the former VFL.

Five teams using the already established resources of Super Rugby franchises will be a lot cheaper than starting from scratch (again).

Making these reserve teams contain a certain number of under 21 and home state-based players, such as in European football, will force development.

This will give developing players the chance to train with, and play against, Super Rugby players. It could potentially give a base to expand into a third-tier league down the track.

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Whatever happens, we also need to acknowledge that Australian teams are not automatically world beaters. The lack of numbers needs to be made up with being smarter off the park, at all levels of the game.

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