As Super Rugby edges towards its mid-term break, and the British and Irish Lions arrival moves ever closer; there is no doubt that the Australian sides have upped the ante on the park.
In recent weeks, we have seen Australian teams achieve a number of tremendous results, most notably against their New Zealand counterparts, which is a trend we have been waiting a while for.
This time last year, Australian teams had won just eight matches from 23 starts against their Kiwi and South African opponents.
At the time of writing, the figure stands at 11 wins, a draw and 12 losses for this year – although the record against the Kiwi teams sits at an impressive eight wins and just three defeats. It was four wins and eight losses at the corresponding point a year ago.
The latter point particularly is a pleasing statistic and is the result of a number of factors.
Certainly the impending arrival of the Lions, and the excitement that opportunity is generating, plays a part.
For many, playing the Lions will be the pinnacle of their careers, and I’m not just talking about in the three Test matches.
It must not be forgotten that the tourists will play six other matches in Australia; games that will provide six other playing groups, outside of the Test squad, with the opportunity to experience both the Lions and international rugby.
So what we are seeing is enthusiasm across the board: players are not just bidding for Test spots, they are also bidding to make sure that, if they miss out on the Wallabies, they will get a shot at the tourists for their States.
But it would be simplistic to attribute the raising of the bar in Super Rugby solely to the Lions.
Undoubtedly our teams have prepared well.
That has shown through in the level of on-field organisation that is apparent: the level of clarity and understanding of the playing method is evident across all five states, as is the collective buy in of the players to that method.
Strides have also been made on the injury and rehabilitation front.
Injury numbers are down (touch wood!) and the off field management of these is becoming more proactive, with the addition of the new ARU Injury Rehabilitation Coordinator, who works with the states, monitoring the players work-loads while also helping to map out suitable recovery time-lines and return dates.
It might sound simple but its importance can’t be overstated.
The impact was clear in the successful returns made by Will Genia and James Horwill, who were both monitored closely in their rehab by the Reds and the ARU before timelines were set, and a carefully graduated return instituted.
Both returned with agreed steps: 40 minutes for the first game and 60 for the second, before they were let loose over the full 80.
This undoubtedly assisted in the two returning to the form of old quickly, which has had a significant impact on their team-mates, the Reds and ultimately Australian Rugby as a whole.
A more coordinated rehabilitation is one area in which we have taken steps towards the highly successful and centralised New Zealand model.
Our growth of playing depth across the field is another.
I said at the time, one fringe benefit of last year’s injury trials – which forced the use of 52 players in the national programme – would be the widening of the player learning and development as a result of that exposure.
We are seeing that now, with players such as Liam Gill, Ben Tapuai, Michael Hooper, Dave Dennis, Sitaleki Timani, Joe Tomane, Dan Palmer and Nick Phipps standing up to play influential roles for their teams.
Not only has last years’ experience provided them with confidence in their ability to belong at the next level, and added to their hunger; it has also taught them valuable lessons around the requirements needed to succeed in Test matches, especially in the area of physicality.
The trends that develop in Super Rugby invariably follow on from what has unfolded during the previous year’s Test season, both in terms of the approach taken by the teams, but also in the way matches are refereed.
That has certainly been the case this year.
There has been massive emphasis on the breakdown and on defensive pressure, along with the increase in physical confrontation at the expense of open play.
That hasn’t made the rugby any less enjoyable, it has just meant that sides that win the collision, and dominate at the breakdown – whether it be by securing the ball, or just as importantly by making delivery messy and slow for the opposition, are profiting.
We saw that recently in the Reds-Brumbies match, but even more pertinently the weekend before, when three Australian teams beat three New Zealand teams in the same round for the first time in Super Rugby.
In each instance, the Australian side won while having less of the ball, because they applied the most defensive pressure, dominated their opposites physically and profited from the mistakes that pressure forced.
These are attributes the Wallabies didn’t always get credit for last year, when the players held their nerve to win eight of the nine Test matches we had that were decided by margins of a converted try of less; games where our relentless pressure ultimately got us over the line.
Pleasingly the players have taken these habits back to their franchises and added to them.
This is indicative, both of their own personal development, but also of the collective maturity that is beginning to show across a broad spectrum of the potential Wallaby playing group.
All of which offers great promise for the challenges ahead.
WoobliesFan
Guest
x2 Ireland, Scotland, Samoa 1st and 3rd unforgiveable. QF against SA - frikkin aweful.....THAT WAS OUR BEST GAME PLAN? What about his selection over the years - continually picking Horne, McCabe, Tahs forwards...picking unfit players who were totally underdone - i.e. Mitchell - ignoring those that weren't - QC. Not having the conviction to drop out of form players, e.g. Beale when he was mentally shot (vs ABs 2012 1st test). Robbie, Robbie, Robbie - what have you done to us.
pepsi
Guest
I think james o'connor must be at nr.10 for the wallabies quade cooper is not better than o'connor
Jay Jameson
Roar Rookie
Its so good that this day and age promotes openness of communication and we are able to read the thoughts of the Wallaby coach before the Lions tour. Thanks for sharing!
SomeBalance Please
Guest
So you suggest RD wishes to belong to Oz now (and beyond his tenure to a job)? Great if that is the case, but then he gives up his national allegiance to NZ and to the ABs readily ... initially because someone pays him a salary. Singing a National Anthem does indicate alignment to a country, doesn't it?
Jerry
Guest
Yeah, the two match series was a bit too hard for the challenger IMO. Better than a 4 match series though.
Patches
Guest
Remember at that time there were only two tests played so the wallabies only had to win one game to retain the bledislo cup now they are back to three games which makes the competition much harder
Jerry
Guest
Yeah, that happened in 09.
Reginald Munday
Guest
Yep, a couple of good weeks for the Tahs = test form...apparently Everyone else? A couple of good seasons and maybe, if there's enough injured Tahs, you might get a shot
Dan
Guest
14 years wtf we had every trophy am I missing something here !!!!
Dan
Guest
Um 10 years ago we had every trophy in the cabinet and was 17 seconds away from our third bill not sure how much potential one can expect I for one have been sick of the wo and bedtide the general roar wallaby followers have portrayed I know it's tough coming of the most successful period in recent rugby history and do feel it is coming together and who knows maybe we can grab our third bill on that faithful day in Twickenem in 2.4 years time wouldn't it be awesome to do it in the second amount of extra time when Kurtley drop goals one in from their 22 with 2 seconds to go!!! Dreaming yes maybe but it happened against us 10 years ago who would if thought !!!hey!!! Go boys go !!!
Ted
Guest
you are a battler
niwdEyaJ
Guest
dumb, pointless and disrespectful comment - do you really think Deans, or anyone else on this forum, really cares about what you choose to watch or not to watch on TV?
Suzy Poison
Guest
Adam, just like the Bulls aren't a true representation of South African rugby, neither are the Reds. Adam I was talking about cross conference games in general, including teams like the Rebels, Force and Kings. Robbie's team to take on the Lions, obviously will be composite of the best of Australian sides. In general a 3-9 record is not good. My example about the Bulls was about set pieces. I certainly don't hold the Bulls up as the pinicle of South African rugby ( although I concede they have 3 titles). I actually prefer watching the 2013 Waratahs play to 2013 Bulls. Foley is in my opinion, the most underrated player. Everyone is talking about Izzy Folau and AAC, but Foley is making them look good. Gatland's Lions might like the throw the pill around, however the foundation of thier game will no doubt be based on uncompromising forward dominance. My point is ( in general, across five teams) the Aussies have struggled with this approach. I understand your point about the Reds. Perhaps in decline is bit harsh. Better than last year, probably! As good as 2011. No way. I just feel the Reds aren't surprising teams like they used too. My proof of this, is how they have struggled at times this year, to get across the chalk. The Blues game, the Force game, as examples. In 20011, Quade surprised a lot of people with his kicking game as well, and from memory, they did beat almost all the Saffa sides that year. 2012 was a different story with the Reds getting beaten at Suncorp by both the Stormers and Sharks. However even if the Reds did have a successful Saffa tour, this year, I think it's the Brumbies conference to lose, this year. I predict the Reds will either finish up fifth or sixth on the table, and I certainly can't see the Reds winning the comp from there.
Chivas
Guest
I may have read your post wrong. But are you saying you are offended because Robbie sang your national anthem? If so who are you to determine people's right to belong? That is not a balanced view; it's a particularly bigoted and racist view fortunately not held by anywhere near as many as you might think.
SomeBalance Please
Guest
I (and my family) was a supporter of RD but have totally lost confidence and support for all the reasons mentioned above ... selections, gameplan(lack of), conservative play, poor player management, shifting blame ... and, by the way, for singing our National Anthem in support against the ABs when it cannot be sincere (it is a paid job). I am going to Lions and RC matches with the mixed feelings of so wanting to win but such may lead to more of RD stuffing up the team I most enjoy following. Robbie, I hope you follow the reactions to your post and take in the feedback on what you have done to the WBs. It is hard to see a supporter of you out there!
Rebel
Guest
Very clear about winning and retaining Jerry even with your examples of when the ABs retained it. Not sure how that denigrades anyone. Wasn't there a series against France a few years back where France took out a two match series against the ABs on for and against. If drawn series were decided this way I would not have an issue.
Jerry
Guest
Oh I'm sorry madam, did I upset you? There's a distinction that's pretty widely accepted Kevina.
Athilnaur
Guest
Different scenario, Mils 2011 no longer had speed.
Red Kev
Guest
The trophy is up for grabs each year, it is won each year, don't try to denigrate anyone's performance just because you want to put down the Australian team at every opportunity.
Jerry
Guest
And the year Australia took the Bledisloe off NZ to start that reign (winning 3-0), 3 out of 4 semi-finalists in the Super 12 were NZ sides.