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An age old rugby axiom is as follows: ‘You have to go forward to earn the right to go wide’.
So what did we see on Saturday?
The Wallabies from the first moment of play, played to the All Blacks defensive pattern by immediately taking the ball wide in attack and got hammered in the process.
Countless times the All Blacks beat the Wallabies to the breakdown either winning a turnover or a getting a penalty for the Wallabies “not releasing the ball”. The result was the Wallabies continually lost possession and as a result the attack stuttered the entire evening.
Not at any stage did the Wallabies try anything different against this All Black defensive wall. There was no pick-and-drive or mauling to try an contract the All Blacks’ defence, no attempt at creating doubt in their defensive mind.
The All Blacks punished every Wallaby error – charge downs and turnovers resulted in New Zealand tries.
In contrast the Wallabies made four line breaks – each time the attacking runner made no effort to link with supporting runners.
As a result each try scoring opportunity fizzled out to nothing.
The one dimensional truck-the-ball-up style played on Saturday night is not going to beat the All Blacks unless the Wallabies pick rugby league style ball runners, who are capable of off loading ball in the tackle to supporting runners. This would include off loaders such as big Will Skelton.
Wallaby attack coach – Jim McKay, is now under the pump. Saturday night did not work – the next match in Wellington has just got a whole harder.
Where to next for the men in gold?
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.