Robbie Deans lost his Wallaby job because of not enough wins, hard-to-fathom selections, and an even harder to comprehend use of his bench.
But Ewen McKenzie is giving the most successful provincial coach in history a run for his money.
In Deans’ last three Tests, had he not chosen James O’Connor at 10 from left-field ahead of Quade Cooper, the Wallabies would have beaten the British and Irish Lions 2-1.
Had that been the case, there’s every reason Deans would still be in command. But ‘if’ never wins anything, so the comment is purely hypothetical.
McKenzie has followed pretty much the same path, with the one exception – McKenzie in his 19 Tests to date has never beaten the All Blacks, with four losses and a draw, Deans beat the All Blacks 34-19 at his first attempt in 2008, but lost the next four in his first 19 Tests.
Now the real comparison.
The fly-half position is where both Deans ans McKenzie have come unstuck.
Deans’ selection of O’Connor was matched by McKenzie when he gave the nod to Kurtley Beale for the back-to-back internationals against the men in black.
If Deans made some weird selections, Beale was McKenzie’s weird comparison.
McKenzie had two frontline alternatives – Bernard Foley, who had orchestrated the Waratahs to their first Super title in 19 years, and Matt Toomua, who took the Brumbies to the Super semis, only to be beaten by the Waratahs.
But no, McKenzie gives the nod to Beale, who had been the midfield general at inside centre in the Waratahs’ Super win, and the perfect link with the code’s best game-breaker – Israel Folau.
To compound the error, McKenzie links Beale with Brumbies half Nic White, instead of Waratahs half Nick Phipps.
That combination lasted two games, and up surfaced Phipps and Foley against the Boks and Pumas for two wins, with Beale shunted off to the bench.
But it gets worse.
James Hanson has done a superb job in the hooking role as one rake after another had been added to the injured list.
Not so, according to McKenzie, Hanson’s been benched for Queensland teammate Saia Fainga’a, who hasn’t started in a Test for nearly four years.
Veteran Wallaby and Waratah prop Benn Robinson was ignored by McKenzie for the three Tests against France, the two against the All Blacks, and the two Tests against the Boks and Pumas.
But Robinson turns up on the bench for tomorrow morning’s clash with the Boks at Newlands. Better late than never.
Beale is still on the bench, but Joe Tomane, who hasn’t played a Test since last November against Wales, is on the wing and out goes Rob Horne.
What did Horne do wrong? He’s playing the best rugby of his career, he’s found his real position on the wing, thanks to Waratah coach Michael Cheika, who also made Beale a world-class inside centre. But now Horne’s with the splinter brigade.
Not finished yet.
Why did McKenzie select three half-backs for a two-match tour?
It’s great to see Will Genia back in action, but not sitting in the Newlands stand – he didn’t even make the bench. He would have been far better off playing in the National Rugby Championship, and getting ready for the end of year tour, than being a spectator in Cape Town and possibly Argentina.
But I’ve left the worst selection until last – ignoring giant lock Will Skelton.
Interestingly, Cheika took McKenzie to task last week, saying there was no problem with Skelton’s work-rate when he was wearing a blue jersey. That was a none-too-subtle reprimand from Cheika, who has been a master at making the right selections for two seasons.
To top that off during the week, I read the Wallabies will target champion Bok lock Victor Matfield at Newlands.
Really? And who is going to do the targeting – Rob Simmons, Sam Carter, and James Horwill? Maybe Scott Higginbotham?
I can see the grin on Matfield’s face now. Matfield is one of the very best locks I’ve seen over 50 years, and nobody will ever target him unless they have a burning desire to look foolish, and/or second rate.
The best the Wallabies can do against Matfield and his lock partner Eben Etzebeth, no slack either, will be to keep as much pressure as possible on the pair and hope they make a mistake – then pounce.
Add all that up, and Ewen McKenzie has made a rod for his own back, and that of the team, with his hard-to-fathom selections.
At the risk of being charged with treason, I expect the Boks to win this Test handsomely, and retain the Nelson Mandela Trophy.
Maybe then Ewen McKenzie will see the selection light that Robbie Deans rarely saw.
Common Sense
Guest
If you think Tameifuna is the best scrumming tight head in NZ then you are imagining it. The amount of times I saw him collapse for the Chiefs was a lot more than some other tight heads in the country. Ben's biggest assets are his speed, his size, his strength and his footwork. Tameifuna can be the best, but he's not there yet.
Whatagame
Roar Rookie
"But I’ve left the worst selection until last – ignoring giant lock Will Skelton. Interestingly, Cheika took McKenzie to task last week, saying there was no problem with Skelton’s work-rate when he was wearing a blue jersey. That was a none-too-subtle reprimand from Cheika, who has been a master at making the right selections for two seasons" I must admit that it has taken me a while to stop laughing at the above comment. All I can say is if you want to see why Skelton is not the Messiah, watch the reply of the Spirit Stars game yesterday. The lad is a lump but if he cannot dominate or frankly make any sort of impact at NRC level he is either a lazy show pony (of the Shire horse variety) or really is out of his depth, unfit, and possessing zero agility which has no place in the modern game. He sat in midfield all day and at second receiver, taking easy ball's without really doing any damage . He never did any donkey work at the breakdown and made zero yardage with three of this "amazing offloads in the tackle" (tackles made by local club players) going to ground or the opposition. In summary - he's not the messiah, he's just a very big boy
s.t.rine
Guest
Hate to say it but if World Cup was next week Ws would not exit their pool by losing to England and MAYBE Wales. End of year tour with be the acid test. S T
katzilla
Roar Guru
Elliot wasn't dropped for attitude reasons, he just wasn't performing well in the few tests he had, and then when he had to part time share the Chiefs hooker role he fell off the map. Tameifuna is definitely a fitness reason, the All Blacks need players that can lift the tempo of the game even at the 70 minute mark.
Wobbly
Guest
Yes when will he listen to your inane articles and select the Waratahs reserve cheerleaders?
Simon
Guest
I think your psychic Dave... Some individual brilliance from Fardy early on hid McKenzies obvious mistakes in selection. Once the benches became involved it was clear he had been out coached.
stuckinacorner
Guest
is it so hard for a wallabies coach to pick the best team on the day (not last week not next week) just the best team for that day. work with the best combinations no matter the province or internal pressure , to pick a guy to keep him here and not travelling ,or he's negoiatated a gold jersey into his contract...... its bull crap and everyone knows it hence all the discussion results will come when players know they are there, because they are the player in that position for that day. .. beale was not the best number 10 in the country against the AB's IMO he was the best 12 at that time and the more players play out of position the more edge they lose overthinking every move and play... let cards fall where they may and no one can question the selections knowing the form of the day. otherwise back to prep school rep sides where teachers pick 8 breakaways 7 flyhalves makes for great rugby :(
Chan Wee
Guest
add to that the Habana try last seson when he went around Folau and , to many peoples' ire Folau just jogged back :) but to say speed can't be coached is wrong. anyone and everyone can add a yard of pace thru the technical sprint training. out and out sprinting is partly a god given talent and partly about technique and rhythem. but on a rugger field (especially in xv) u dont get many chances to out sprint someone. on the 7S circuit, its a totally different scene :) for example carlin Isles (arguably the fastest rugger player) doeswell in 7S but rarely shines in xvs.
Chan Wee
Guest
OZ would have beaten the BILs if only BEALE had worn the correct boots :D
Jerry
Guest
Ben Franks plays both sides, though seems better at loosehead. I don't think Owen's ever played test or Super Rugby at loosehead.
Chan Wee
Guest
i though the Franks' play on both sides. and does afeaki play anymore? has he played in ITM cup? Nepo Laulala and Ofa Tungafasi may be better future bets ; young and very big.
john
Guest
Lack of fitness is the biggest cardinal sin in the ABs setup. With all the downtime during trips a lack of fitness shows your not doing the work away from the coaches eyes. Its why i think Luatua wont cut it..lacksadasical and not.maining fitness.
Mark
Guest
"In Deans’ last three Tests, had he not chosen James O’Connor at 10 from left-field ahead of Quade Cooper, the Wallabies would have beaten the British and Irish Lions 2-1." For all any of us know you lot would have lost all 3 tests by record margins... Cooper can't tackle...and is so overrated it defies comprehension...he might have got away with it when Stuart Dickenson was allowing him to throw every pass forward... There wasn't a single Wannabie that would have made the Lions - there wasn't a single Lion who would have made the All Blacks... At least Deans could beat the AB's!
Yacannahandamanagrandaspanna
Guest
He won't. He's too proud to admit the mistakes he's made. Crazy selections will continue
willy
Guest
Robinson is a bean bag
alex
Roar Pro
he is too fat
canadiankiwi
Guest
Ben Tameifuna is the best scrummaging tighthead in NZ, including Owen Franks. He is immovable and very rarely loses his bind or collapses. He is a huge hitter on D, cleans out more rucks than you would think for a guy his size, and plays with a nasty streak. The official reason is his fitness is substandard. However, like Hika Elliot (another Hawke's Bay product), Tameifuna has rumoured to have been blacklisted from the All Blacks for violating the most sacred commandment- no dic$heads. In the Super 15 last season Tameifuna very intentionally tried to take out McCaw with a head shot while at a ruck. He has also deliberately shoved a referee to the ground. Thus, the pecking order of tight heads is O.Franks, B.Franks, Faumuina, Toomaga-Allen (injured), Afeaki (concussion).
nothing if not critical
Guest
after looking at the game you'd have to say you were wrong on several fronts. saia played very well, and when hanson came on he didn't add much. tomane was great. and when horne came on he dropped the ball several times, and his fumbled attempt to pass the ball in a ruck 5m out lead to a try. horne won't make it to the bench once we have a full complement of players. he's just not good enough. and robinson added nothing to the scrum or around the park.
Garth
Guest
Point.
Garth
Guest
How many Australians had to work the weekends back then? Compared to now? Don't forget the impact the change in both working hours and economic realities has on both player and crowd numbers.