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Certainly all Australian rugby fans are relieved at the win over Italy by the Wallabies but it wasn’t a great performance by any stretch of the imagination. In fact, it was barely good.
If the Wallabies play like that against Ireland they will lose.
Kicking in general play was poor. Never mind Will Genia’s not-quite-a-box-kick that led to Italy’s first try, Matt Toomua’s kicking out of hand was quite poor – going dead twice, going straight to the back three several times – and Quade Cooper’s wasn’t any better, a couple of kicks directly to the sweeping defence stick in the memory.
The body height of players making hit ups is still too high. There was at least one maul turnover and several others where the ball only just came out.
Ireland perfected the technique of holding up Australian ball-runners in the 2011 Rugby World Cup pool match at Eden Park and there is little doubt it will be a focus for them again this match.
The clean-out and support needs to be closer, more active and the ball carrier needs to be more aware of his body height to avoid problems at the tackle.
Genia’s service was better but it is still taking a half-beat too long and he is still being offered insufficient protection by the forwards. Against the more physical Irish pack he’ll be harassed all game long.
Defensively it is difficult to evaluate the Wallaby performance, given the quality of the Italian backline, however I was alarmed at the easy yardage the Italians were able to make close to the ruck on several occasions.
There is little doubt the Irish forwards will have noticed this too.
Of course there are still the old chestnuts of the restarts and the scrum. There’s nothing to be said here other than they need to work hard at both, if the Wallabies slack off mentally in this area, they will revert to the shambles they have been for most of the past two years.
Selection-wise, I have to add my voice to the calls for a Benn Robinson/Stephen Moore/James Slipper front row to start – is there something going on at training we just don’t see?
Tatafu Polota-Nau should be fit to come off the bench. Scott Fardy should be back from concussion (hopefully forcing Sitaleki Timani and Dave Dennis out of the 23 entirely in favour of Kane Douglas).
While I would like to see Liam Gill start, I actually thought Michael Hooper had his best game in terms of breakdown presence in the Wallaby jersey on the weekend and on the strength of that he will retain the no.7 spot; Gill will most likely get his starting shot against the Scots.
The Wallabies have not won two Tests in a row this year. With only a week to prepare for Ireland, the focus at training needs to be on set piece, defensive realignment, and kicking (including chasing and taking the high ball).
The Wallabies can beat Ireland, I would argue they should beat Ireland, but they will need to improve again to do so.
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.