There were many positives despite a dismal 12-all draw between the Wallabies and All Blacks at ANZ Stadium on Saturday night in equally dismal conditions.
There were rare moments of brilliance from the All Blacks in the first half and the Wallabies in the second, but most of the 80 minutes were an instant cure for insomnia.
On the credit side, the Wallabies must be commended for stopping the men-in-black setting a new world record 18 straight wins against top tier sides – that took guts and passion in conditions that far-suited the All Blacks.
South African referee Jaco Peyper controlled his 18th Test, and his 19th should be between Zambia and Afghanistan, but that would be cruel to both countries.
There’s no argument about the 24 penalties he dished out, but the number of offsides, forward passes, and knock-ons he and his touchies Romain Poite and Stuart Berry missed defied description.
‘Penalty’ Peyper pinged the Wallabies for being offside at the kickoff after Aaron Cruden had opened the scoring with a penalty. That decision was spot-on, but he never penalised either side again for being in front for the rest of the game, and both were serial offenders.
Next up the return clash at Eden Park next Saturday, where the Wallabies must win to have any chance of regaining the Bledisloe Cup after an 11-year drought.
But Eden Park is a hoodoo ground for the men-in-gold, not having won there since September 6, 1986 with a 22-9 success. Can the Wallabies end the drought?
Of course they can, with the right team from the kick-off.
One of the outstanding features on Saturday night was how the Wallabies tight five held their own against the All Blacks. What was more outstanding was the energy level increased even more once behemoth Will Skelton was injected late in the game.
That’s the only change needed up front, with Skelton a must in the starting line-up for Eden Park, so too Bernard Foley and Nick Phipps, who both lifted the side immeasurably once they were taken off the bench.
Selected half Nic White was pedestrian in clearing set plays and ruck-mauls, giving Kurtley Beale little to no chance to strut his stuff at 10, and even less chance to set up Israel Folau as they did so well in tandem for the Waratahs.
An Eden Park starting backline of Phipps (9), Foley (10), Rob Horne (11), Beale (12), Adam Ashley-Cooper (13), Pat McCabe (14) and Folau (15) will do what the Wallabies didn’t do last night.
That Test was there for the taking. Let’s face it, ignoring what the Waratahs achieved is sheer folly.
My suggested Wallaby backline for Eden Park is the Waratahs backline with Pat McCabe the only outsider. It’s a proven backline under fire, so use it.
Net result? Spectators and television viewers won’t have to keep propping open their eyelids with matches.
Sandy B
Guest
Skelton can't jump or do line out calls
bryan
Guest
slipper Speight and cummins? now your having a laugh.. Moore? Locks? Take your pick, but only 1 lock from the Tahs... and he is a bench player 12? Beale is another bench player AAC showed exactly why TK is needed in midfield... We need a straightening runner Ill give you Hooper, Falou, AAC, Foley, Palu, Kepu, but Phipps barely over White, Foley is a point decision against Cooper Which Tah would you pick as blindside? cant be Jack Pot. And don't even get started about the bench.
Dru
Guest
Re watch the game. White took more steps sideways than Beale. Toomua just as much as Beale. Agree that for the few minutes he was on Phipps was straighter. Horne too, straight and hard. But I thought Foley was just as lateral, though obviously not much time to test it. Kudos to the "in your face" defence.
Mike
Guest
Jed Holloway of Southern Districts has potential, but he is stuck in the Tahs squad behind Palu. He is about to play NRC for GS Rams so he will get a chance to show what he can do . I wonder whether Luke Jones should have a go at 8. I don't know who else, but they must be out there somewhere.
Mike
Guest
That pretty well sums it up Don. Its the same reason Radike Samo got the 8 jersey so many times at an improbable age - he played reasonably enough and there was no obvious alternative.
lvan61
Guest
Phipps at 9. Foley at 10. Beale at 12. If all McKenzie can do is tell Wallabies to play like Tahs then he needs to pick them in these positions. Even if he does have a game plan, they still need to be there as they are the best in these positions, not just on one game, but a whole season.
lvan61
Guest
And what would be the game plan? KB did OK. IN the 2nd half the plan was to get quick ball to him and we moved forward. Toomua kept running sideways. McKenzie has no plan except to pick backline of best Super Rugby team and let them play. Mixing both won't work in a short period without a plan.
lvan61
Guest
Agree. White and Tooma play "Jake Ball' and Ewan now wants Wallabies to play like Tahs. Maybe a coach with a vision and plan might help too.
ozinsa
Guest
Palu is the best 8 we have now and have had for a decade. There isn't now anybody better and nor has there been for his entire career. Ignoring when he played for against the Lions on one leg after Deans begged him he worries all oppositions. That he is deemed to be busier some matches than others is like pretty much all rugby players except perhaps McCaw or Hooper. Reid was quite on Saturday.
Crug in the cave
Roar Rookie
Nice team Mike, Although I would make two changes. I would start Higgers over Fardy. Fardy seems a shadow of last years version, I'd even consider dropping him altogether for Hodgson. And Simmons over Skelton, bring on the big fella at 50 min mark. Simmons won't give the same impact off the bench to finish the game.
wazza perth nz ex pat
Guest
Its not dumb - its 'angelic'
Don
Roar Rookie
I'd like to hear who else we should have at 8. I was critical of Cliff in the first 20 odd minutes. I thought he was MIA with the ball. He improved greatly from there and his defence was also excellent. However, we don't have another true number 8 in the Aus S15 teams who can impact with ball in hand. Schatz, Higginbotham, McCalman are all blindside flankers IMO and inferior options to Cliff. At least Cliff is fit this year and fingers crossed, he stays that way. Australia still needs a big number 8 coming through but I can't see any in S15.
Mike
Guest
I had a think about what I would do for selections. This team has put on a great effort and I would be reluctant to change too much. The real work depends on the coach and the team in their preparation anyway, i.e. selections aren't always important. But anyway, here are some thoughts, naturally starting with the engine room: Front row: Only change is to bring in Robinson and drop Cowan. Based on what I saw on Saturday night, Robinson is still my preferred test loosehead to Slipper, but James has really put the effort in against ABs, so I would keep him at 1 and put Benn on the bench. Second row: Only one change – I still don't think Simmons is at the level required to play top teams, but he put in a gutsy effort like all the forwards.. I would switch to a method Cheika uses – Skelton to start and play himself out for 45-50 minutes, then Simmons to come on. Back row: no change. Halves: Phipps and Foley in. Nic White to the bench, Beale to wing – Deans used to use players like Beale or O'Connor on the wing with licence to roam, to good effect. Centres: No change. Back three: Beale to replace McCabe, as above. Therefore the 23 is: 1. Slipper 2. Charles 3. Kepu 4. Carter 5. Skelton 6. Fardy 7. Hooper 8. Palu 9. Phipps 10. Foley 11. Horne 12. Toomua 13. AAC 14. Beale 15. Folau 16. Hanson 17. Robinson 18. Alexander 19. Simmons 20. Higginbotham 21. White 22. Kuridrani 23. McCabe
bryan
Guest
This is international rugby.... SA conversion was from the side line in far worst conditions. The Wallabies cannot afford to miss simple kicks.
trent
Guest
I agree that I would rather have AAC as captain. His experience at test level is worth a lot in my opinion. Hooper is a great ball runner but in a game where the breakdown work wasn't great I'd have preferred to have Hodgson come in for the last 20. His experience is immense. The conditions also lend themselves to his tight game. He is also the highest try scoring forward in Super Rugby this year. To have him not in the 23 is obscene give his form and leadership.
Argyle
Roar Guru
Peter, as it is your right to, you having been pushing this line about Palu recently. Its your opinion and that's fine but could you please elaborate on why Palu is useless? What is it that many of us are missing that you appear to have such clarity on the subject player? Clearly you must have some knowledge of forward play, in particular the back row and 8 man position - who then should we select instead of Palu?
HarryT
Guest
I agree Rory. It seems a good combination of talent.
Jitter
Guest
Can every David Lord article just be tagged with Waraths, not Walalbies. Thanks,
Banana Bob
Guest
Rugby was the winner on the night...what a classic!!!
IronAwe
Guest
The changes I would make in the backline, is bring Beale on for Toomua at the 60min mark. Start with Foley and Phipps. Bring Skelton on at the 60min mark, starting him is dumb. Completely dumb. Breaks our lineout and removes his impact. Shame we don't have better wingers at the moment.