The Wallabies’ 24-23 victory over the Springboks in Perth last Saturday felt a little retro. There was something very ‘classic’ about it, snatching victory from the jaws of defeat in the dying seconds.
It was enough to leave a loyal fan a little nostalgic.
And, since it was the number two team in the world from whom Rob Horne pinched the win, you may find yourself tempted to dismiss the results against the All Blacks as a valiant effort against the best in the business, and believe that the Wallabies are getting back on track.
But don’t. Not yet. Not even for a second.
The new look Wallabies turned in a solid performance. Bernard Foley’s night was mixed, as was Nick Phipps’. That was at least somewhat owed to the wet conditions.
Some basic errors aside, the impact of their attacking style was clear. Foley stands shallow and attacks the line. What’s more, he and Phipps force the players around them to do so with the placement of their passes.
Strangely enough, when backline runners are on the front foot and across the advantage line, it makes life easier for the pack because forwards running in support are able approach the gate at the ruck straight-on, with momentum, instead of from the side.
Not only does this give a positional advantage, but it uses less energy than running around to get to the gate then wrestling from a flat footed position. And so, despite a relatively poor set-piece performance, the Wallabies held the notoriously difficult ‘Boks pack at bay.
At the end of the 80, it was Australia who were responsible for majority of the enterprising play. This earned them 61 per cent possession and more than double the running metres (710m to 320m) and yet, with home-crowd advantage and a helpful yellow card to Brian Habana, they only managed to win by one point.
Why?
Well, we are getting closer but the headache that is selecting Wallabies is not over. There has been much talk of the selection of Toomua over Beale at 12. And despite having been in camp Beale throughout, even I admit that Toomua was one of the better Wallabies on the night.
However, herein lies the problem. Not one, but two of the Wallabies best players from Saturday should be in the coach’s sights.
Toomua’s individual effort aside, when Beale stepped onto the field the attack found another gear. And while dropping Toomua now would not be popular, Ewen McKenzie seems to have a penchant for such things and the Waratahs 9-10-12 combination has again made an emphatic argument being reunited.
Tevita Kurindrani too turned in a class performance, he looked unstoppable throughout and in a perfect world we would have a place for him. However, the fact is that his selection has displaced Adam Ashley-Cooper, when what we should be doing is picking one of the two.
For years, the Wallabies have had a nasty habit of trying to play stars out of position. Remember the George Smith and Phil Waugh debacle? Something like that.
Notice too that the All Blacks never do this? In Super Rugby, yes. But once you reach Test level you need specialist players in specialist positions.
The forwards too present a conundrum. James Slipper has been one of the best forwards in the broken play. He also left the field having anchored a scrum which did not once win its own feed.
This changed with inclusion of Pek Cowan. And perhaps if McKenzie replaced Fardy with either Higginbotham or Hodgson and used Palu the way Cheika did in Super Rugby, Slipper’s contribution in broken play may not be necessary.
The answer is not clear, but I would guess that if Australia are to find success in the remainder of 2014, McKenzie must give his backs a chance to form combinations and make changes sparingly.
Kurtley Beale in for Matt Toomua at 12. When Joe Tomane or Henry Speight become available, reconsider the situation with Adam Ashley-Cooper and Kurindrani, then give Adam Ashley-Cooper the nod. The team needs his experience.
Like the players themselves, forwards’ combinations tend to be a little less sensitive. McKenzie can make changes and make the tough decisions necessary to build the pack to the top level. However, just how one does that with no standout enforcer and an absence of core-players who are safe in their positions is hard to say.
One thing is for sure, the Puma’s are not the easy beats of the Rugby Championship that they once were, and the coaching staff need to put in some time at the drawing board if they are to progress through the next round unscathed.
jammel
Guest
Well said PiratesRugby. Toomua has done very well - he is in fact one of the players that IS performing consistently and well. Again, too much focus on wanting to change the back line in this article, to try and replicate perceived benefits of the Foley/Beale combination. I for one wouldn't be playing Beale at #12 - although I am a great admirer of his at FB or even possibly on the wing; certainly on the bench!
alex
Roar Pro
you guys can have the thor he's just another nz throwback feel free to think he's the next big thing, he would never had made the all blacks which is why he is taking the easier route by trying to play for OZ
alex
Roar Pro
carter was only playing at 12 because merts was in the team
Zack
Roar Rookie
I have a strong aversion to individuals who behave as if they are bigger than the game. If it's about money, I say let them go: there will always be a bigger cheque to entice them somewhere..
Old Bugger
Guest
You guys in OZ just wait till the 18yr-old "Tongan Tornado" prop arrives when he finishes college in NZ. This kid has his dream set on playing for the WBs and apparently, has already turned down NZRU approaches...he obviously knows what he's doing and good on 'em. Btw, he runs so fast, that I'd bet he'd give Hoops a run for his money - and he's currently a schoolboy prop.....that should help settle down the woes a bit for 2018 season perhaps!!
Squirrel
Guest
That would be a blessing qc with all his test experience is still a liability and Beale is the same. Get rid if these self absorbed imposters. Beale won't last a year in league
Worlds Biggest
Guest
Nice piece but can't agree regarding Kuridriani. He should have got MOM, he was outstanding. The guy hasn't been given a decent run at outside centre. AAC was great for the Tahs and I love his game but TK provides the physicality / go forward in the midfield. He must be kept there and make the position his. It has been 5 years since we had a big, hard running centre. Beale is best coming off the bench.
Die hard
Roar Rookie
Fullback and Wing are fairly inter-changeable within the All Black set up rayray. They require similar skill sets. Good catch, kick, chase, pace, and vision. Flair and tricks come with the territory. The way they inter-relate with plays in general often mix their positions on-field within the game. Nonu only was a fill-in for a game when Sonny Bill needed game time. They can afford to do that. Dan Carter was always a first five. He just couldn't get the gig when he was entering super and test rugby. Positions are generally sorted in the teens in NZ but things are run a little differently there.
Die hard
Roar Rookie
Well spoken PR. Toomua has been the constant for the Wallabies this season so far. I do not like the way he charges out of the line but he has only been caught out once or twice and probably saved greater for his doing so. He is solid in the tackle, takes contact well and keeps the line straight. He can also fit into first receiver and generally kicks well in the open. The glory boys in the forwards are not doing their jobs. The loose three are not on or over the ball enough and the tight five just don't hit the rucks that count. Set pieces are weak and punch is lacking. This does not let Foley or Toomua show what they are really capable of yet and we cut loose on him. Beale would be a bag of tricks at second five eight and that works at lower levels, but it would be disruptive to this back line the Wallabies are developing.
DC NZ
Guest
Kuridrani at 13 Folau on the wing with Tomane... We need Giteau JOC and Quadey back !
The
Roar Rookie
The Wallabies will be bo worse off without Beale, Cooper and O'Connor. Those 3 think they are indispensable hence their primadona nature, but they are anything but.
Chan Wee
Guest
@ rayray playing people out of position is done by i guess every nation. when one says out of position it can be a drastic change or a minor change. there are so many who have moved into several positions during their careers. i guess the rarest of those who played in only one position may be the hookers - bar the SA skipper who also propped. some of the taller and bigger 2nd rowers may also not move anywhere else. the ability to play at different positions is dependent on the individual's skills. and being able to do more than justa good job. a guy like weepu has played both 9 and 10 and freddie does is in the same match :) some every good players may fail in cetain positions like Ben smith at 13 last time. or Dagg on the wing for crusaders. at test evel it is not easy to just move from position to position with out advanced skills. nonu is still not a good defender at 12 or anywhere else. he thrives becoz of conrad who is the best defensive center in the world. it was east to see when he played with Fekitoa, there was no threat for 80+ :)
Chan Wee
Guest
Read 6 to 8 :D
Zack
Roar Rookie
It would appear that McKenzie's problems might get worse, if rumours about Beale (league) and Cooper (France) bear out.
Jerry
Guest
Yep. Amongst others Kieran Read, Dan Carter, Cory Jane, Richard Kahui, Beauden Barrett and others have all been selected for the AB's in positions they weren't playing at Super Rugby level.
Chan Wee
Guest
use Beale like NZ use Barrett - as a sub. despite his performance in the weekend Cruden will be back to face SA. Genia Cooper Tumooa Kuridrani shud be the midlle. Irrespective whether u have God on the wing if the middle cannot get it there.
Alex Wood
Roar Guru
Fair point. And well made. The way I wrote it above, I don't think I expressed just how hard it was for me to take a side on the Kurindrani/AAC debate. Kurindrani has played some absolutely outstanding rugby and been making a very strong argument for his inclusion. My only concern is that without AAC, the Wallabies' outside backs (as is true of the whole team) lack central players who have significant test experience and can form the spine of the team. In any team, it is these players who are responsible for keeping so many things in check, it's not as tangible as TK's barnstorming running yet nonetheless it matters. I'll be interested to see how this progresses over the next few tests. Thanks for your comments.
Drop kick
Guest
Yes he was a disaster starting for the waratahs this year.
Train Without A Station
Guest
Beale's defense. End of the argument for him starting a game. In any position.
Train Without A Station
Guest
I think last Saturday showed progress. We got pumped last year and this is the type of game we would have lost in seasons gone by. It alone is by no means enough progress. Your comments are spot on with what we need to do from here.