The Wallabies best playmaker was stretchered off the field in the first minute of play against the Lions. The other playmaker gave up a try after a classic example of out-kicking the coverage on a bomb and then, too, was stretchered off in a neck brace.
Without Christian Leali’ifano and Berrick Barnes on the field the Wallabies weren’t able to play with the structure common in a Test match arena.
The nominated playmaker, fly-half James O’Connor, was therefore forced to be the Wallabies true creative force after the removal of Leali’ifano and Barnes. That didn’t work so well.
It may have been the plan to play O’Connor in a limited capacity at fly-half. But we now know for sure he’s not ready to play in a traditional fly-half capacity.
The absence of other creative players at the very least shows he needs the services of players like Leali’ifano around him to be successful.
O’Connor only kicked once and passed nine times after taking the ball at first receiver according to ruckingoodstats.com . That’s a low amount of touches and the creative output of those was minimal.
Jonny Sexton made 16 passes after getting the ball at first receiver. One of the best was the delayed ball to put Alex Cuthbert away for his try.
O’Connor simply must have a greater control over the shape and planned moves of the backline if he is to retain his position at the apex of the Wallabies attack next week in Melbourne.
It seems the rugby media can finally put to rest the lie they’ve been fed by the ARU and continually repeat to the rugby-watching public, that O’Connor “straightens the attack” and brings other runners into the game.
That was exactly what was lacking from O’Connor’s game when he did get touches in the backline. He ran sideways a lot and on numerous occasions hesitated before passing – leading to other runners being cleaned up – and prevented the ball from reaching the fringes of the field when overlaps or space were presented.
So, next time you hear a talking head or read a columnist ignore O’Connor’s Super Rugby and Wallabies performances to date and mention his “straightening of the attack” make a mental note to query the rest of what that person has to say.
What became apparent was Kurtley Beale, while possibly one of the most underdone Wallabies who played during this match, was more able to get the attack going up and down the field.
Of the nine runs O’Connor made all night, some of the best ones were off a Beale pass. Once again demonstrating Beale can play fly-half serviceably well (I still believe he’s more suited to fullback though) and O’Connor is a very speedy ball runner with a better than average short passing game, who is best utilised running into gaps rather than trying to spot them for others.
Sexton showed what a true Test quality fly-half can achieve for his side by standing flat to the line all night, drawing extra men to himself before giving the pass, on time, to the men outside.
Check out the 8min 56second mark of this video, it shows the downfield camera view. You can see Sexton motion to the first man and change the pass to the back man, Cuthbert, when the hole appears one channel over.
Can you see O’Connor making that pass? He may in future, but he can’t now and that’s not even the most difficult one a fly-half needs to make. It’s about the read and the timing.
I think there’s a chance Deans will reconsider who plays fly-half next match as Barnes and Leali’ifano probably won’t be back for that match.
Ben Tapuai has been called into the Wallabies and may end up starting at inside centre. He’s not a playmaker but can pass, while giving the Wallabies a helpful left boot.
I’m not ignoring Quade Cooper or Matt Toomua, I just doubt they’ll be called into the squad.
Beale at 10 and O’Connor at 15 might be a suitable compromise making the best of a bad situation. Beale can clearly pick out runners better than O’Connor.
Being at the back means O’Connor can inject himself into the attack without having to be the focal point.
ALX
Guest
well i didn't know that and now i am more worried ,,, JOC was ordinary, he ran across field and sold hospital passes. not one line break off his passes. he was MIA for the first 20 mins. a great #10 steps up when the team stumbles. JOC froze in the spotlight ,,, Deans is useless and his decision to put Hooper at 12 was the final straw.
Malo
Guest
How about picking injury free players only. We saw the result of picking injured players they either got re injured or had shockers.
Malo
Guest
End the amigo dynasty. Let the wallabies bleed new talent such as CL and Toomua
Archer
Guest
I'm not so sure. We were close to winning at the end but we can't expect similar performances from Genia and Folau next week. We lost when our forwards ended up on top -- that's almost a sin for a Wallaby team. We should have won despite the injuries to 12 and 15 and would have with a seasoned 10. It looks as though Deans expects to repeat the 10 - 12 combo which to my mind gives the Lions a easy time -- they might not actually need to do anything to keep our outside backs from getting the ball. Did Deans really have to wait for a Lions tour to experiment like this? What is so special about JOC that we have to get him onto the field at 10 when he was more than fine as a winger?
Calum
Guest
+1 I realise it's not a particularly learned thing to say but deans is a clown. He makes poor initial selections, makes bad substitutions and has zero man management skills. How he is still in a job amazes me. Saturday made it clear that there is plenty of talent around and yet it's clear that his thinking is so muddled about everything. Putting McCabe on instead beale and Barnes to 12 (after the initial baffling decision to pick beiber at 10 in the first place) just shows he doesn't know what he is doing.
PeterK
Roar Guru
The Wallabies are the only major nation not to have a dedicated backs / attack coach. Not only that they NEVER have had under Deans. Deans does this role on top of head coach. IMO this is a significant reason why the backline functions poorly, does not attack in waves with support on both sides.
Mushu
Roar Pro
not sure about throwing in the white flag, but agree playing O'connor and Mccabe at 10-12 was never going to work out. They both play a similar running game rather than a distributing game resulting in a narrow attack. I would have preferred a Barnes at 12 (and Beale at 15). Not sure about O'connor at 12 as he hasn't played in the position as far as I know(?) Going forward, I like a Toomua/Beale - Taps 10-12 combo with O'connor replacing Ioane on the wing (given that he might be dealing with legal issues over the next few days). O'connor is a much better strike runner than distributor and should be operating in the wide channels.
KF
Guest
Ha! It is the course of Swisse! Who else appear in their adds and how is/was their career progressing after their appearances in Swisse ads. I can think of Ponting, Mark Webber, Cadel Evans. Cheers KF
Nigel Imrie
Guest
Deans may have got most of his selections right for the 1st test but he made the biggest cock up ever playing O'Connor at 10. As a test player himself and the most successful Super rugby coach and a Kiwi to boot you would think that he of all people would by now have developed a couple of specialist 10's. It is the Kiwi way and the only way to play rugby and for that matter test rugby, why have we not developed real 10's, they reckon Deans has created depth in Aust rugby, but no specialist 10's. Now that he has turned of his favorite QC one would tend to think why not Toomua if not Fole who both had cracker games against the present foe. Now he will go with KB who is not a true and tried 10, he must Deans that is understand the need for specialists in this position having coached the finest exponents of this position in Mehrtens and Carter, it was off their backs that he made his name!!!
Kuruki
Roar Guru
Australia has a massive issue at 10. All of the key players imo are not suitable. A good 10 needs a level head and composure, JOC, Beale, Cooper have none. Barnes has composure but he does not have x-factor, he is and has always been a stop gap. CLL needs more experience running games from 10 he has potential but lacks experience in the position. Toomua is young, but above everyone else he has the skill set and the temperament to be a quality 10. All he needs is test match experience. Imo he is the best choice. People will always have fears about playing a rookie in a big test, but from what i have seen all those other more experienced players have failed, they lack what it takes upstairs. Deans is useless and should step aside after this series. It was obvious JOC was not going to cut the mustard at 10, he has been average in that position at Super level so why was he earmarked for the position. There is no defence for such a poor selection.
Kuruki
Roar Guru
He is my man crush. And he will continue to cause nightmares for Australia in the coming weeks.
Kuruki
Roar Guru
He may be a rookie fly half in test standards but he has played a heck of allot more 10 then Oconner has lately, and he actually has all the skill sets a 10 needs. The only really experienced 10 they have is Quade.
Philamon
Guest
I don't think it's a good idea to have too many debutants this series. no one has mentioned Drew Mitchell for Ioane. i know he's on his way out but loads of experience and had a blinder for the tahs against the lions. just a thought...
Jiggles
Roar Guru
Yet he was solid against them playing for the reds... Your logic is bizarre.
Denby
Roar Rookie
To be fair, North runs past a whole bunch of players regularly. He is an amazing player.
Denby
Roar Rookie
+1
sph45
Guest
Deans has dug a hole for himself
Brett McKay
Expert
has your crystal ball got any thoughts on Lotto numbers, too, Dave?
Josh M
Guest
Dave, the Lions would have done such a psychological job on him in the lead up, he would have been a wreck. They would have had a manual prepared on how to get under his skin. You just can't risk him against world class opposition. Simple.
niwdeyaj
Guest
I wouldn't want Beale to be our last line of defence, or the guy taking high-balls at 15... your backline above would be more effective with JOC at 14, Folau at 15 and Beale on the bench. What do you think?