Talk of a golden point to decide a rugby Test should be buried in the dust-bin.
Ok, a draw has to be broken in a Rugby World Cup, or Super Rugby final or semi, when there must be a result for obvious reasons.
Otherwise a draw stands in international rugby like last Saturday night’s 12-all result between the Wallabies and All Blacks at ANZ.
But there are questions to be asked why the Wallabies didn’t win that Test.
Wallaby coach Ewen McKenzie must be applauded for being hell-bent on running the ball despite any conditions. That attitude will win more Tests than lose them.
When Pat McCabe was bundled into touch late in the game, flashes of James O’Connor touching down in the corner after the final hooter against the All Blacks in Hong Kong in 2010, then converting from touch for a fabulous 26-24 win, came to mind.
But there’s one question that hasn’t been asked of the Wallabies coach or captain Michael Hooper. Why wasn’t a drop goal attempted in the last 10 minutes?
There were at least half a dozen genuine chances in front of the sticks for an attempt, and a 15-12 success.
While the McKenzie influence and preference for scoring tries is admirable, a drop goal win like Steve Larkham’s 48-metre monster against the Boks in the 1999 Rugby World Cup semi that clinched a finals berth was just as thrilling.
Let’s face it, a win is the ultimate result, and it matters not whether it’s through tries, conversions, penalties or drop goals. Take whatever is on offer in the 80 minutes available.
The Wallabies ignored the drop goal alternative in a dedicated search for the only try of the game. I doubt they will ever do that again.
So next up are the men-in-black at their Eden Park fortress, where the Wallabies haven’t won since 1986 with a 22-9 success. The All Blacks haven’t been beaten there since France sprung a surprise 23-20 win in 1994.
Since then the All Blacks have won 30 Tests on the trot at their home fort, so next Saturday will be a good time to break the drought, and another win on October 18 at Suncorp to regain the Bledisloe Cup for the first time since 2002.
Providing of course the best Wallabies backline is selected, with Nick Phipps at half-back, Bernard Foley at 10 and Kurtley Beale at 12.
Or forget it.
Buk
Guest
Good reading David. I'd even go further, if after extra time in a World Cup there is no winner, then it should be shared
Worlds Biggest
Guest
I think the Wallabies were working towards a drop but stuffed it at the end giving away the penalty when in possession. Given the wet conditions they needed to get as close to the sticks as possible. This is an element of the Wallabies game that must improve. I can't remember the last time they kicked a drop goal.
Aussie in London
Guest
can I just say, I hate them being referred to as 'The Darkness'... it's sh*t and needs to stop
Howi
Roar Rookie
Maybe I need the benefit of watching a replay, but I'm quite positive I saw Foley in the dying minutes heading south to a drop goal position behind a ruck, only the ABs gained possession and the drop goal was snuffed out.
Fit
Guest
I'm with you on this one, if there has to be change make it extra time.
wazza perth nz ex pat
Guest
And stop that godawful grunting - the reason why I - and many i know - have stopped watching the game....
Fit
Guest
@ niwdeyaj well this All Black supporter thought the Wallabies best chance of winning back the Bledisloe would be to win the first one. The Wallabies have the best team they have had in years, I can't see them winning at Eden Park, although in saying that it's not impossible. I can definately see them having a good go of it at Brisy where they usually tend to play well. I don't think you can take to much from this first test though, the ref was horrible for BOTH sides, the conditions were terrible for running Rugby and it's a dam shame we didn't get some sought of result considering the amount of people that turned out and how much Rugby has to fight with other codes in this country. Let's hope for better conditions at Eden Park.
Johnno
Guest
Golden-Point rewards mediocrity, Draws give a fair result. 2-teams not good enough in normal-time to get a win result, don't reward that mediocrity by haveing golden-point. I find draws exciting anyway, a 3rd result, rather than the predictable NRL which is win/loss, all decided by golden point crap.Rewards mediocrity.
Unimpressed
Guest
Talk of a golden point? what talk? Why not make up other things while you're at it.
AndyS
Guest
Agree that golden point should be shunned, but a bit of an oops picking tennis when the tie-breaker was only introduced in the 70s... ;)
Ethan
Guest
2nd bledisloe test = large anticipation no matter what. Win, lose or draw. The 3rd match will still be a dead rubber if NZ win match 2, so the draw does not change this. But imagine if game 1 and 2 had been decided by wins either way and the 3rd ended in a draw. MASSIVE ANTICLIMAX I never said there was a problem with a tryless match or good defence. I never said anything about close games or easy games. I'm talking about wins/losses bringing better closure to the match for all than draws.
bryan
Guest
Lower the net for bigger hits? Raise the net for longer rallies? Ban the new age rackets? Add hawk eye? change the court size? change the court composition? Add a super tie break?
niwdeyaj
Guest
Chuck, i'd say you're living in a bit of a bubble if you think the All Blacks brand is the most recognized internationally across all sports - there'd be over a dozen soccer teams like manchester united, real madrid, liverpool, barcelona etc who are miles ahead. I suspect even some basketball teams would be ahead as well, LA Lakers? All Blacks are up there though, probably in the top 20 somewhere...
bryan
Guest
Lordy, best article I've seen from you in awhile, until that snide comment at the end. No need for that
Ethan
Guest
bahaha. well played scrubbit
Zero Gain
Guest
A drop goal from right in front on the 22 should not be a Hail Mary and Foley should have been able to do it or at least attempt it with less than 2 minutes to go and an ideal opportunity. I have seen dozens of drop goals in all grades, including one last week in the rain by a 15 year old from at least 30 metres. Anyone who was there will never forget Roger Gould's 55 metre drop goal at Ballymore in the early 1980's. Or Hugo Porter slotting about 4 every game. How hopeless is Foley?
niwdeyaj
Guest
c'mon goose, you're not that blind are you? most kiwi's on here gave us no chance in Sydney despite our run of 7 on the trot because all those wins were agaist teams ranked below us. and now, after the draw, the referee excuses get rolled out and people like you claim we're still not competitive and should have won with all the help we had from Peyper. i only make snide remarks at people like you who make ridiculous comments such as "fantasize for a moment that the wallabies win most test matches against top level opponents". guess what einstein, we already do win most test matches against top level opponents: wales, france, ireland, italy, argentina, scotland and 50/50 with England... these are all "tier 1" opponents and if you don't believe me, go ask the All Blacks who beat all these sides in their record equalling run of 18 wins against TIER 1 nations. very aware that we haven't been able to beat NZ and SA, but that's why we're ranked 3rd. If we could beat them at least 50/50 we'd be ranked 1st or 2nd wouldn't we?
Qldfan
Roar Rookie
While a draw may be an empty feeling for the teams, - hell it leaves a huge amount of anticipation for the next match. Instead of a "dead" match for the 3rd match, this second one becomes soooooo much more an excitement machine (well, for me anyway) Stick the crap point up your jacksey - if the match is tryless, to me. that is an indication of how well and determinedly both sides were in defence. Sooner 12-12 than 45-0 to either side.
wazza perth nz ex pat
Guest
Or 'incompetent' and the consensus from all sides was the referees performance was incompetent - apart from the odd blind person who did not see the game !! So, accepting he was incompetent WHY he was incompetent is a matter for further discussion and investigation - which obviously the IRB wont do because they don't want to be accountable to anyone - let alone the punter.... So in the absence of factual answers - all we have left is conjecture...straight out incompetence is one, lack of fitness another. partially blind another, bias another and bribery another... Whatever it is - the IRB need to review their referee selection, training, supervision, and instructions......Because no-one has been happy with referee performances in the last few years. (If ever !)
Qldfan
Roar Rookie
NO to the so called golden point. IMO RL is an abomination of a game, and a blight on our game. The only thing we need from RL is their promotional "nouce".