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The most depressing part of the Wallabies 38-12 loss to the Springboks was the feeling that we are not progressing as a side.
Despite all the promise, all the hype about playing expansive, fast paced rugby, we are still making incredibly basic, schoolboy errors.
Despite making almost 25 more runs with the ball than South Africa, and amassing more than 150 metres run, we still only made a paltry two line breaks, compared to the five made by South Africa.
Playing with one of the most dangerous back lines in the world, this is just an unacceptable figure.
Anyone who watched the game, would of been pulling their hair out at the site of the Wallabies consistently shoveling the ball sideways with no apparent aim, with the end result usually a turnover, or the South Africans winning possession as a Wallaby took the ball into contact one out.
The South Africans, to their credit, played incredibly well, with their rush defence shutting down the Wallabies time and time again, but the lack of a B option once again became our downfall.
As a big fan of Christian Lealiifano, in particular his goal kicking, it pains me to say that he does not appear to work in whatever system it is that McKenzie is trying to implement.
With Quade Cooper’s range of passing, Lealiifano becomes a passenger, as his only option appeared to pass the ball straight to Ashley-Cooper, who despite looking his dangerous self, can’t work in a system where is he receiving the ball in a stand still position.
International rugby has moved on from the second five-eighth option at inside centre, and a look around the better sides you see a big ball runner who creates momentum and a different option. The Wallabies don’t have this, and thus have looked increasingly predictable every time the ball is spread wide.
Why the Wallabies management feels they need three ball players in Genia, Cooper and Lealiifano is utterly confusing
Genia has recently looked completely out of sorts, which is quite amazing after the Lions series he had. It is never easy playing behind a forward pack that is going backwards, but his option taking has been questionable at best.
The South African game highlights one simple reason why he has been struggling: he ran the ball once. For one of the world’s best-attacking halfbacks to only run with it once, especially in the second half coming up against a big and tiring South African pack is absurd.
The Wallabies forward pack was no better than the backs, and the tight five look increasingly as if they are not up to international standard. The only bright spot being Scott Fardy, who appeared to be everywhere, and despite being an elder in the side, showed what 110% commitment looks like.
Both outplayed at the breakdown and set-piece, you have to wonder why Dan Palmer was allowed to leave for France, especially after the Wallabies scrum was destroyed for the umpteenth time in succession, with the brief intermittence in the second Lions game
The worrying thing about this game was that we never looked like scoring a try, and for the third game running we are looking as if we are drifting further away from the All Blacks and the rest of world.
Disappointing just doesn’t cut it and for the sake of Australian rugby, I hope that McKenzie has a plan, because at the moment it appears as if we are taking two steps back and not going forward.
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.