After watching the Wallabies receive an utter thumping at the hands of the indomitable All Blacks, I felt the frustration and anger of a Wallabies fan let down for a twelfth consecutive year.
This frustration was amplified by an illogical team selection and a penchant for head games and short term tactics. These ploys will never beat the consistency of a good strategy.
The All Blacks have a long-term approach to the way they develop the game. They have coaching systems in place and philosophy that runs through the sport from the All Blacks through to junior teams.
This delivers a consistent approach and an enormous amount of depth, so when Dan Carter is injured, he’s easily replaced with Aaron Cruden, Beauden Barrett or even Colin Slade.
Each person who comes on the field understands the game plan and their role, and by sticking to it they deliver results time and again.
The Wallabies came into this year’s Rugby Championship on the back of seven straight wins. This team was in winning form and had built some strong systems and self-belief. Not only that, they had other winning combinations from the Tahs, but all involved Bernard Foley at 10.
But for some reason Ewen McKenzie decided to mix it up before the biggest Test of the year. Why would you think that new combinations and a completely different playmaker would be a good idea at this time? The team only had a few training sessions to adjust, and as Scott Allen pointed out in his article, the Wallabies have had to shift and make allowances for Kurtley Beale’s inclusion in this position.
Beale has been outstanding as a second five-eighth. He may be able to play 10, but Foley has got a cooler head, can read the game better, has a better tactical boot on him, and is more reliable in shooting for goals.
Beale does bring x-factor, but he is also more potent on the back of a team with momentum. He is not a leader in a time of desperation or high pressure. He is certainly the wrong choice for the biggest and toughest Test of the year, where the boys were likely on edge.
They looked rattled from the moment they ran out, and didn’t gain any composure until Foley was back in the driver’s seat.
Secondly, it is high time McKenzie realised that Nick Phipps is a better 9 than Nic White. White’s got a better boot than Phipps, and he was not all bad tonight. But Phipps is dangerous off the breakdown, is a great runner, excellent in defence, and has real fire in the belly. He reminds me of a younger, more agile Will Genia, minus the box kick that can cause its share of problems.
The error-riddled effort by the Wallabies as a whole was a sign of a team that was not comfortable, could not relax into their natural style, and were in a panic. This is not to take anything away from the All Blacks. They played extremely well, and were deserved winners. But not only did the All Blacks embarrass the Wallabies, the Wallabies embarrassed themselves, often making school-boy errors and looking completely bamboozled.
Once again, much of this comes from the pressure applied by a world champion team, but the rest is also having players out of position, and a lack of a plan B when things were not working for them.
I will not lower the level of discussion by picking on the ref for every fault, but the head-high on Folau was a disgrace and worthy of a red card. The fact that all three officials on the field missed it when the ball carrier had made a line break and was out in front is an indictment on them all.
The second head-high came close to the All Blacks line, and I would need to go through the tape again to pick the names. But the Wallabies were given a penalty, when the All Black player should have been given a yellow card, especially when you see Rob Simmons get a yellow card for lifting a leg in a maul. Seriously, what is the worse offence?
But the All Blacks were so dominant, even these decisions would not have changed the outcome.
Bottom line is that the ARU is putting in place the long-term structures to build depth and develop our game through the development of the NRC (which has had a cracking start to the competition). ‘Link’ now needs to follow the strategy into game day and ensure he picks the best team, with the best chance of victory.
Stop messing with a working formula. A good side was robbed of a chance to be a great side. You certainly don’t see the All Blacks chopping and changing like this, and there is a good reason for that.
Let’s hope Link shows some sense for the remaining games of the Rugby Championship, and the spring tour. For starters a clean sweep of the remaining home games for this year would be an great outcome.
Yes this means beating the All Blacks in Brisbane, and yes we can do it. This would also mean we have had a year of being undefeated at home.
Sure I would love to see victories in South Africa and Argentina as well, but we will need to focus on a good strategy, and less time trying to be tricky with selections and playing head games in the media.
DC-NZ
Guest
I think the key here is that good teams adapt. So if another team has a great player, or a threatening player, you work him out and shut him down. Think Giteau, Quadey, Izzy and Michael Hoopla. The ABs work hard to neutralise the playmakers. However, really great players like Larkham, Eales, Mortlock, G Smith, Kefu, are harder to shut down.
cowcorner
Roar Pro
I followed the whole stream and found it very interesting --if a little depressing. I found a snippet from Zack one of the most insightful and hope he does not mind me quoting it: "The real difference between the All Blacks and the rest of the world was demonstrated succinctly by the build-up to Read's try (of the match, for me): Read turns over the Aussie ball just outside the All Blacks 22, Cruden picks it up and passes it to Messam who cut-out another forward (hooker Cole) and passed to Whitelock who flicked it on the Fekitoa, to Conrad Smith who timed it beautifully to Savea who executed a perfect side-of-the-foot pump for hooker Cole, Fekitoa and Cruden to chase. Fekitoa is downed by a brilliant covering tackle by Hooper, and the smallest back on the field Cruden clears out the biggest (Folau). Coles secures the ball and Whitelock could have flopped over the line himself but played halfback and flicked it to Read to score. Several things should be obvious to coaches and players alike in analysing this try: 1: The seamless integration of forwards and backs in the entire movement, culminating in backs clearing out at the business end and the forwards scoring like backs. 2: Support play. 4 of the biggest players on the paddock (in any team), hooker + 2 locks + No8 started the play just outside their 22, and retained their shape and line and sprinted 70+ metres in support. They could only do this because of their superior fitness, spatial awareness, and total familiiarity with one another to know when the support is needed. Many other hookers, locks and even No8's would have quit at the halfway line! 3: Inconsistent personnel and positional selection creates confusion among the players, and this was evident on the night. I can write so much more but then I would have to charge McKenzie for the privilege!!!" Please someone, send it to Ewen. It seems that until we can match this sort of play at least, victories against the All Blacks will continue to be rare.
Rangi
Guest
I am just really glad that Ewen reminded us that we needed to bring our A game because the Wallabies were going to bring theirs. The Sydney match really brought out a lot of delusional thinking. A Greek rugby writing mate of mine used to say about Robbie Deans " a good coach does not become a bad coach overnight." The same thinking was what I applied to the ABs' performance in Sydney. Unfortunately too many WB supporters fell into the trap of believing the ABs had become a bit ordinary and even Ewen himself. Reading all these posts makes me wonder how a team that on the Roar last week was going to teach the ABs a lesson now has so many problems and needs to be rebuilt. Do some of you guys watch more than the scoreboard ?
Zack
Roar Rookie
McKenzie's flaky selections reminds me of John Mitchell who in one match had something like 7-8 All Black players playing out of position. I would have started Beale at Fullback and put Folau on the wing to bully Cory Jane. Horne and the other "winger" would have been better off in their usual position on the inside where they have played most of their rugby. Hooper played his heart out. It was quite noticeable that when Savea was strolling to the try-line, the only Wallaby within cooey was Hooper doing his best to run him down. He does tend to seagull a bit but on a night when nothing was going right, he put in a captain's knock. And those pushing for Will Skelton to start need to change their medication! Will won't get into the All Blacks until he's shed some 20+ kgs and his fitness level improved out of sight. He's only a 5-minute wonder before he puffs out and becomes a liability. The real difference between the All Blacks and the rest of the world was demonstrated succinctly by the build-up to Read's try (of the match, for me): Read turns over the Aussie ball just outside the All Blacks 22, Cruden picks it up and passes it to Messam who cut-out another forward (hooker Cole) and passed to Whitelock who flicked it on the Fekitoa, to Conrad Smith who timed it beautifully to Savea who executed a perfect side-of-the-foot pump for hooker Cole, Fekitoa and Cruden to chase. Fekitoa is downed by a brilliant covering tackle by Hooper, and the smallest back on the field Cruden clears out the biggest (Folau). Coles secures the ball and Whitelock could have flopped over the line himself but played halfback and flicked it to Read to score. Several things should be obvious to coaches and players alike in analysing this try: 1: The seamless integration of forwards and backs in the entire movement, culminating in backs clearing out at the business end and the forwards scoring like backs. 2: Support play. 4 of the biggest players on the paddock (in any team), hooker + 2 locks + No8 started the play just outside their 22, and retained their shape and line and sprinted 70+ metres in support. They could only do this because of their superior fitness, spatial awareness, and total familiiarity with one another to know when the support is needed. Many other hookers, locks and even No8's would have quit at the halfway line! 3: Inconsistent personnel and positional selection creates confusion among the players, and this was evident on the night. I can write so much more but then I would have to charge McKenzie for the privilege!!!
Aussie Mike
Guest
Been saying the same thing forever. Toomua wouldn't be first choice for any other championship team. He offers so little in attacking although his defence is good it's hardly worth all the plaudits. There's no fear factor, he tackles more often than not. That's it. IMO not world class.
Cadfael
Roar Guru
It worked far better than the backline before the subs. There was much more direction.
William M
Guest
I agree with this article 100%. It was only when Phipps and Foley came on the field, way too late in my opinion, that the Wallabies looked threatening. Why leave it so late in the game to bring on such a dynamic duo and make some changes. It was clear by half time that the Wallabies needed a fresh approach as they were copping a hiding. The All Blacks were magnificent, unfortunately the Wallabies due to team selection and other issues (including some poor referee decisions) were not given the chance to fully rise to the occasion. Also, they need to be able to rely on basic skills such as tackling and retaining possession when confronted by the All Black blow torch of intense, high voltage rugby.
Matuatekau
Guest
As a kiwi I find oz anthem more stirring then nz anthem.
Riccardo
Guest
Mate! Welcome back. A few days too late - there is an article on the right hand side by Jereme Lane criticising Conrad as the most overhyped under-delivering centre in world rugby. Taylor-made for your return. Of course, he's a little quieter now...
DanFan
Guest
I thought the four Crusaders that started for the ABs played rather well. But maybe your wallatahs would need to be mored concerned about the other 11.
Justin3
Guest
Chairs was marked and would have been tackled to touch. Anyone having a crack at izzy after that game is having a laugh.
Chuck
Guest
Talk about masking tape who should be in and who out Australia is one of the best sporting nation in the world and can't get their Rugby program right wining two world cups the best sporting academy in the capital Canberra as a kiwi would love too have sporting Academy that can identify up and coming champions ,rugby has too go back too grass roots and identify up and coming kids that have what it takes too be a wallaby and give them a rugby scholarship program or else you going too stay in the stop start lane for long time, England has identify their youth program for the future , Argentina has pored a lot money into their youth program also the macanhics South Africa has youth program that's working ,the macanhicsOf rugby is changeling because of the rules
maxxlord
Roar Rookie
Ewen is full of nonsense. No more fake cleverness. Pick the Tahs backs, bring in Higgers and try ALL the locks in Australia till you find two with balls. I believe Wykes is one.
Mike
Guest
"He should pull Grey into his staff for the remainder of this years internationals." Grrrr! Hands off!
Man up
Guest
Brodie Rettalick - not bad for 23 I'd say...
All Black supporter
Guest
Unbelievable. Do you really think if you changed a winger or centre that it would change the result from Sat night? Aust no chance of winning anything in the next 15 years with that sort of thinking.
Mike
Guest
At the moment WT, you are proving that you know nothing. "We lose ONCE in how many under Mckenzie" Did you not pass kindergarten? They teach counting there. McKenzie has lost a lot more than one match. His average of matches won/lost is about the same as Deans.
Mike
Guest
The Tahs kick tactically, but very little of it is from Phipps. He concentrates on service from the ruck, and a run if its on.
Mike
Guest
You are wasting your breath ABS, unfortunately. Ask most Australian rugby supporters what their team needs, and their answer will start and end with backline selections.
Mike
Guest
You can be programmed to sense irony. Ironically.