Wallaby coach Robbie Deans can forget about his team and bench for the first international against the Lions on June 22 – for the moment.
And spend the time trying to figure out why the five Australian franchises have forgotten how to score tries, those match-winning five pointers.
This weekend the five franchises managed just five tries between them, with the Rebels topping the list with two on the way to a first-time win in six over the Waratahs.
But don’t get too excited about the five, only three of them were good rugby tries – the two by young Rebels winger Tom English, and the one by Force fly-half Sias Ebersohn in the corner, after a decent backline move.
The other two – Israel Folau scored for the Waratahs with an intercept from three metres out to stroll over, and Nic White for the Brumbies, having toed the loose ball through, regathered five metres out with a dive, and slid the distance on the rain-sodden turf.
The Reds went tryless.
Season-wise, the Brumbies have earned a four-try bonus point in four matches, the Reds and Rebels have done it three times, the Waratahs once with their 11-try blitz of the Kings, but the Force has yet to strike a try-scoring bonus point blow.
Not much to show for 13 rounds of rugby – just 11 try-scoring bonus points out of a possible 65.
For the record, the Waratahs top the list so far with 37 tries this season, but that’s inflated by those 11 tries against the Kings, the Rebels are second with 34, the Brumbies third with 33, the Reds have only 26, and the Force 21.
Surprisingly, the Brumbies and Reds have scored the majority of their tries – 24 and 15 respectively – in the second half, and they are the two leading Australian franchises.
But that doesn’t answer the question of why aren’t more tries being scored?
There’s no doubt all coaches have devised a far better defence system, and there aren’t enough attacking footballers to breach those systems.
And there’s a growing and boring tendency to pick and go inside the opposition quarter, rather than spread the attack out wide.
While the referees have also played a part, many aren’t playing advantage enough.
Those Australian results this week – the Brumbies beat the Blues 20-13, the Stormers beat the Reds 20-15, the Force edged past the Highlanders 19-18, and the Rebels beat the Tahs 24-22.
But only seven tries between the eight sides.
Now ask the question why the Chiefs are on top of the Super tournament able?
Six times in 13 matches, the defending champions have earned a bonus point for four tries.
Six times.
And it’s tries that will beat the Lions. Robbie Deans can now think about his team ans bench, picking those most likely to give him those lost five-pointers.
And let him still live in Sydney.
aussieinnz
Guest
The Reds played the same way the Wallabies have under Deans-crash ball runners off 9 and 10 with the ball not moving across the centres who can't pass anyway. With this game Quade is the perfect 10 for Robbie so I am sure they will kiss and make up.
DJW
Guest
I think a lot of us are still trying to figure out what exactly is Deans game plan... Generally appears there is none.. and definatly no plan B
Bakkies
Guest
Adam what about Larkham's cross field kick to Tungiri in that same match to get the try.
Shop
Guest
What a load of BS Botticelli. If you take that approach, go the whole way and say "rugby is about winning silverware" and then judge your man Deans. I'll give you a hint, one trinations cup in a RWC year....
Shop
Guest
I agree Brett, David is away with the faires with this comment. Scoring 4 tries doesn't earn a bonus point for nothing, it is actually quite a task.
Jack
Guest
Just enforce the offside line. Refs waving defenders back is setting the defensive line for them. Defenders are continually offside and that's what kills tries. In the Kiwi provincial comp games I've watched the refs are red hot on offside and the Rugby is the most entertaining you could want to see. You often see 120 backrowers arriving with the ball when the 12 or 13 take the pass. A prop is penalized for putting his hand down to steady a scrum and offside defenders are giving warnings. arrrg!!!
fredstone
Guest
Not a lot of differences between SA and NZ on that level. And Robbie's probably from the most old school nick'o the woods in NZ. And he doesn't stand for big heads, ask Mehrtens or Giteau.
fredstone
Guest
Andries Strauss went on an end of year tour, didn't he? So that's 2 for the kings. The Cheetas have exactly 4 springboks, of which one is apparently too small. And they don't kick that much either, so what was that argument you were trying to make again?
There I agree with you, can't speak for NZ but he would most definitely never be selected as a Bok.
fredstone
Guest
At the end, when all's said and done, do any of you think QC woulda made the team if he played for NZ or SA if he had made the same comments, even if he was the greatest player around? Not a chance. He's toxic. This is rugby, no place for prima donnas, send him of to try out for the socceroos or barcalona.
Matthew Skellett
Guest
Well actually RM if the majority of us were convinced the Wallabies were trying their best we wouldn't be critical the fact is that after six years into his tenure Mr Deans is in charge of a team that still struggles with high balls , kick restarts and performs poor kicking options line-outs continue to be a issue and scrummaging remains a weakness all this for a professional outfit that is worth millions of dollars means that something is drastically wrong somewhere so say the epithet 'pathetic' if you like but we have a very different idea of where we should be going
Chivas
Guest
X, that is a good post and enjoyable read. Don't minimise it by jumping to the same idiotic conclusion so many do and think because someone passes a critical comment they hate Cooper. Are you Quades lover? No... so don't assume every criticism is by someone who hates him. There are some intelligent folk on here and then.there are those like Mentals post above that don't add value. That's the nature of a blog site. No point trying to change them. People will hate regardless. If you think Cooper comes in for too much, look at what Robbie Deans comes in for and how personal much of it is. Do you feel the need to come out strongly against that, or is it just Quade that needs your support. I ask because that is often how this whole debate has been framed. I've supported Quade since ever, but I don't support his tweets, eun ins with the law or unnecessary errors, which I have been critical of. But I have also called for tolerance and stated parts of his play I absolutely enjoy. His passing, running, getting involved, option taking etc. As I say some are on here to actually engage in discussion and some just to make nasty comments. Pick what you want to respond to, but if you make an interesting post, don't lessen it picking a side in a largely ridiculous debate.
Chivas
Guest
I am on the same page here Jutsie. I think he has the natural skills and gifts to change the tempo and state if play from first five. But he's not an in field leader. Comments from Deans regarding Taps and the style of the Reds play is also interesting. I think there is validity in what Deans is saying, but I'm wondering if it would be better targeted at Ewen than Quade who is playing to Ewen's game plan isn't he? Anyway, I think Quade could mature, but he's not going to develop into a world class first five at the reds I wouldn't think. I understand that Quade's style has been tried and at times found wanting. I just wonder if Australia has many other options. Let's say JOC could be developed into a genuine first five. He seems to have a far better attitude than Giteau so don't see the comparison. I just wonder at the time it would take to sort out the lines and what you could do that would make him a genuine threat against the Lions. Even if they shut down Quade and throw him off his game, you can change him. Running from. first five will be necessary against the way the Lions will play and it will be how effective they can snipe and slide in behind. Then the backs can be effective. If the Aussies just start swinging and looking for runners hitting holes, I think the Lions will snuff that out. I don't know. I grew up watching Waikato rugby and that's the way we played. Whether it was guys like Paddy Darbo or Arthur Stone, we had players that could knock em down and then has the size and muscle to dominate the area. They were vulnerable if you moved them around and got their defence disorganised. I think it's going to be a tough series. Whoever plays is going to need to mix it up. I still have QC, because he can do what is required. My only question is does he want to. Last time he ran away and started tweeting. But I haven't heard any comments from him this year which is refreshing and may mean he has grown up and is willing to adjust. Or it could just mean he's not tweeting :-)
AdamS
Roar Guru
It's not our team, it's Robbie's team. We don't elect the ARU, we didn't pick Robbie. Our team was selected in an earlier thread and looks quite a bit different to Robbie's.
AdamS
Roar Guru
Wilkenson in the World Cup final?, pretty sure that excited a few people. But yes , in Oz anyway, it's tries they crave.
GWS
Guest
Not sure I've ever seen a crowd get excited by a kick. Usually happens when a line break occurs.
GWS
Guest
Support whoever you like mate just don't expect everyone to agree with you.
Chivas
Guest
Yeah and I figured the storm must have shut them down. Just wondered how much the Reds threatened or changed it up. As I didn't watch it, don't know the defence patterns being used by stormers. I know sometimes they are a butch to crack, but there's always ways. Doesn't mean you always get over the chalk, but it was more a question of they threatened at all. Reds have been looking a bit flat for the last few games TBH. Looks like the tight 5 are getting outmuscled in the exchanges. Reds normally play a scrambling 80 minute approach to the forward exchanges which keep them in it. They minimise the effectiveness of opposition forward packs quite well without actually dominating them. Anyway, I have been about lazy and missed the last couple, so they were genuine questions rather than guessing at what it might be.
Chivas
Guest
Actually I don't mind Quades place kicking. It's been pretty solid this year, but Lilo and Barnes can kick too. I care more about steering the team from his boot. He's not shabby, just wish he could kick further. I think Ian Foster could kick further than Quade, I also don't like his grubber kicks. They are a bit clueless at times, but as stated; no-one is exempt from that and to single Cooper out would be wrong. I think Genias box kicks are a bigger issue. My point regarding Cooper is he is quite wiry and a nice runner. I'd like to see him taking it to the line on occassion, because he does seem to work the spaces well. But needs to work on the small spaces as well as the big ones for mine. Not a bad piece. Thanks for that.
handles
Guest
refused to play?