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?
Rob9
Guest
Considering how deep Mogg was and the fact that he was nowhere near AAC's peripherals, I dare say he wouldn't have had any idea he was there. And I think it's a bit harsh to suggest he should have known about Mogg's late presence. Remember this ain't park footy and although I haven't played in front of 69,000 people before I can imagine it being pretty hard to hear those who are and aren't around you. Especially considering Mogg was hardly on AAC's shoulder until it was too late and AAC made a good break so crowd noise would be at it's peak. It wouldn't have been practical for AAC to kill his momentum and do a 180 to see who else was there and Mogg would have had to jump on the ANZ PA system to have been heard. AAC hit a good hole, tried to link up with his support but held onto it as it wasn't practical to pass- sure AAC's been found guilty of maintaining possession instead of passing before, but under these circumstances- text book decision making in my view.
Rickety Knees
Roar Guru
Thanks mate
Rickety Knees
Roar Guru
That is the challenge - getting through to Gen Y
Rickety Knees
Roar Guru
the only way is up from here
Rickety Knees
Roar Guru
IMHO AAC could have stepped to his right, drawn the FB and brought Mogg into play.
Rickety Knees
Roar Guru
Don't agree Genia is considered to be the best 9 in world - which includes the ABs - getting rid of him would be a knee jerk reaction
Jeff
Guest
So you didn't go to Christchurch this year ??
Ajax
Guest
Said it before and will say it again.. have a look at the Reds backup halfback.. Nick Frisbee.. he really is the business.. he plays a bit like Joost Van Der VestHousen used to... hes like a second flyhalf.. like what I have seen of him.
mace22
Guest
I think it's the let down after what was written last week and the scoreline. If it was a 1 to 5 point win to the all blacks there would be a different atmosphere hanging around wallaby supporters. Even with all the errors the wallabies made. Their would be proof that the wallabies were on the right track.
GWS
Guest
Dropping Genia may get the best out of him. Would certainly help toomua having white out there who played well.
GWS
Guest
Genia was crap but not burgess. White was good when he got on. Give him his chance.
GWS
Guest
Ffs deans is gone. Move on.
GWS
Guest
That was a stupid kick. Genia didn't have his best game. White sped things up.
Jereme Lane
Roar Guru
genia's speed at the back of the ruck has never been an issue at the reds but was always an issue under deans with the wallabies. i was really hoping to have seen the last of it and i hope that saturday night was just a blip. in fairness to the wallabies they did look a little bit confused about where the ball was supposed to go for a lot of the test so maybe with another week to train they'll be a bit more organised in attack in wellington. genia was average but he is still a great player and lets be honest that was the best aaron smith has ever played in a test (the best i've seen anyway) and its hardly the time to be calling for genia to be replaced after one bad game.
Jereme Lane
Roar Guru
i rate AAC because he doesn't throw stupid passes like the one we saw from mogg. calling him a hog is a bit ridiculous. he did everything right by looking for support and when he couldn't get a safe pass away took the tackle. AAC is not the world's best passer and he knows it. mogg would get a lot more confidence after having another year of super rugby and eliminating the mistakes that he consistently makes in pressure games.
Blinky Bill of Bellingen
Guest
For a while I've been reading this thing about 'Genia, World's best 9' and wondering where that came from? I'm not saying on his day he isn't bloody good but World's Best? :( Also what is it with our 9's? We initially good good quick service from them but within a while they seem to develop this idea of waiting for the egg to hatch or worst still appealing to the Ref to save us. I'd rather see them just get the pill & spin it! ;)
rugby_phile
Guest
Priceless
flying hori
Guest
Agree about Genia, "to much arm flapping. Really outplayed by AS, time to give Nick White ago, then bring on the "arm flapper" or " lets pause behind this ruck for a mo boys, while i think of something".
Rob9
Guest
Take another look Rickety. When he made it through he was alone with everyone well back, he actually did the right thing by moving towards JOC’s wing but he couldn’t link up with him a- because he was taken out from behind and b- because B Smith was in between him and JOC. Mogg came from deep but by the time he was by his side and ready for the pass, AAC was on the way down. Considering the percentages he made the right call by going to ground for a quick recycle. What was the most disappointing aspect to this entire passage was Genia blowing the quick ball with a brainless stab down the blind side.
BlueBlood
Guest
Play Burgess Simple as that. Genias pass was very very ordinary, decision making was horrible (why in the world he ever put that grubber through to Horwill after an amazing break ill never know) and lastly as a forward I felt disgusted watching him hands in the air complaining to the ref when Mccaw was in the ruck pilfering ball. GET IN AND TRY AND CLEAN HIM OUT. He may of scored a try off Hoopers great work and pass but I think most of the Wallabies backs would have scored too.