This weekend the Wallabies travelled to Argentina after a horror few weeks, and promptly lost a very winnable game.
First and foremost I should give Argentina credit. They played with more intensity and deserved to win. Their victory is a win for rugby as a whole and I’m happy for them.
Part of me would like to implicate some refereeing decisions but I feel that would detract from how good Argentina were and would take focus away from the blame that should be laid with the Wallabies, and in particular, head coach Ewen McKenzie.
You would have to say pressure is mounting both on and off the field.
With a World Cup around the corner, our scrum is extremely fragile and we should be very worried about that. Our pool contains strong scrummaging nations, England and Wales. We should expect an early exit for the Wallabies if they get pushed about in the manner they did in Argentina.
What is most concerning is that our head coach is an experienced and successful front rower. This should be an area we are making significant improvements, yet we looked like a schoolboy pack against men in Argentina.
I don’t buy the injury argument. Injuries happen in professional sport, that is life. Stephen Moore and Tatafu Polota-Nau are valuable players but Saia Fainga’a is experienced as well. Our problems in the number two position can’t be the issue here. Some of the Wallabies tactics are lacking in logic as well.
The management of Israel Folau is the biggest blight in my opinion. In the Argentinean match, there were some improvements, but I’ll explain. Let’s keep in mind Folau’s second try in the Lions Test. Very few people in the world could have scored that try. In a beaten team, on debut, against George North, he was man of the match. This man is special, and probably not hanging around forever, so let’s get the best out of him.
Previously, in attack, Folau had been lurking in the traditional fullback channel, one in from the wingers. I like the decision to get him slightly closer to the action, sharing the next position in with Tevita Kuridrani. This meant Folau was getting the ball earlier, more often and with more ball in hand options. You all saw the result in how much more dangerous he was. People say he has been out of form, I say he has been starved of ball.
Secondly, from kick returns, Folau ran it back a few times, which has been a rarity lately. With a player of Folau’s attacking mindset and prowess, and his distinct lack of any kicking finesse (despite being ex-AFL), why would he be kicking back? In my mind you should ask Ewen McKenzie.
I just don’t get why you would have a general policy of running the ball from your 22, yet when your best attacking weapon has the ball, in broken play, you direct him to kick, which he does surprisingly aimlessly and poorly. In Argentina, however, he ran it back and punched a few holes. Asking Folau to kick is like buying a Ferrari and using it to pick up the dry cleaning. Get it out on the track where it belongs.
I’ll also call into question the general policies around kicking. Far too many chips and grubbers. These are low percentage plays that should be used sparingly to get a fast defensive line in two minds. Anyone that grubbers near the 22 should have their cabcharge dockets torn up.
Next, the chasing from our kicks is woeful. Ask the forwards how valuable 10 metres is. It can sometimes take seven or eight phases to make that distance. Yet it is the difference between a decent kick chase and a lazy one.
Selections have not been good under McKenzie either. Kurtley Beale at 10 was a major blunder. Michael Hooper as captain is another. Don’t get me wrong, Hooper is a freak of nature and is one of a handful of automatic selections. He’s just not a captain, yet. James Slipper or Will Genia are better options.
I’m also very disappointed that Beale wasn’t sent home. If McKenzie was being consistent, he would send Kurtley home in a flash, possibly in economy class. Yet he allowed player power to keep Kurtley on tour. It pains me as a Waratah supporter, and Joeys old boy, but the ARU needs to let Kurtley go. Too many chances, and we don’t need him. Ewen McKenzie talks about culture, but with Kurtley, what is that saying about leopards and their spots? He’s probably going anyway.
My solution for the backline will provoke people, but hear me out. In attack, Kuridrani at 12, Folau at 13. These guys need to be in the collision zone. Adam Ashley Cooper comes in at fullback, Henry Speight and Rob Horne on the wings. In defence, Kuridrani and Horne in the centres. Folau drops back to fullback as his counter attack and safety under the high ball are invaluable. Adam Ashley-Cooper to the wing.
For the record, I’ve never been a huge fan of Horne but his attack has been better this year, and his defence is abrasive and unquestionably international-standard.
There should always be exit plans. Ewen McKenzie won’t be our coach forever. Wins over a poor French side, and weaker Northern Hemisphere teams have papered over some cracks, and we’ve been exposed badly in the Rugby Championship. But now is not the time to change our coach, though anything less than winner or runner up at the Rugby World Cup should trigger a change in my opinion.
The ARU need to have a quiet word to our next best option, Michael Cheika, as there were reports this week he is linked with European rugby again. We must not lose that man from our national setup. Cue the criticism from across state borders but he took over the rabble at the Waratahs and look what happened in two years.
Now that is off my chest, honourable mentions to the questionable refereeing decisions, like the TMO decision not to give benefit of the doubt in Kuridrani’s disallowed try (was it me or did Nigel Owens look disappointed by the TMO’s ruling?). Nick Phipps and Hooper’s yellow cards, the decision to reverse Folau’s yellow card but not the penalty and the decision not to at least check the forward pass on Argentina’s try. And can someone sort out the bloody lasers?
WhoDis
Roar Rookie
One of us was right and it wasn't you ;)
markie362
Guest
Beales been part of the setup long enough.he should have had a team shirt on when he left the hotel.basic discipline and respect should be shown by all
Play the Game
Guest
McKenzie wanted the position of Oz coach, he got it.He knows the players, he knows the opponents and he knows the state of Oz rugby.He has promised much and has delivered very little.Where does Oz rugby go from here.We can't go much lower, if we do we will have no self respect left.We are stuck with McKenzie at the helm, lets hope we find the promised land soon....WC awaits.However, Mc Kenzie is out of his depth and he knows it and the Oz rugby public can now see it....we stuffed.
Anon69
Guest
This guy McKenzie, talks a good talk, does he walk the talk?
ChanWee
Guest
@ nickoldschool : there is 2 sides to a story, its not just about l]picking overseas players. just look in the news ans find how many OZ players are coming home to try for world cup. 1 i think. now look at NZ and see how many have said they want a chance and are coming back, - Gear SBW Kahui (maybe) even Jimmy Cowan. Ranger has been told he cant leave Montpelier. also see how many OZ guys are going away with the cup looming and compare that to NZ. even the captain deserted the camp. i think first there needs to be the honor of playing rugger for OZ, it shud be valued and coveted. then other things will follow. as i said above, even the beale incident shows that at least one person needs to be told to put on team gear. not good is it?
Rugby Tragic
Guest
MS, well stated... agree 100% , I have posted my reasoning on several other threads.
ChanWee
Guest
great in attack but still an amateur in defense. Crotty showed real class at 12, just too bad he is tiny compared to the expectations at 12 :)
Rob G
Guest
Maybe it is because said coach is sleeping with said human resources manager. A conflict of interest i would say
ThelmaWrittes
Guest
I posted this in another thread and would like to repeat it here: "A Human Resources professional does not lose control of the situation and leave the situation in a huff. Neither does the coach show blatant favouritism and abandon his players in an important training session. MacKenzie should have dealt with it without going to the airport."
Zac
Guest
They must change the rules for TMO. The TMO is being used for far too much. It was used well for the ARGvAUS game because Owens was horrible, but not well for the SAvNZ game. In my opinion, if the touchy and ref miss something, too bad. TMO should be used only for try scoring situations. I refer to the SAvNZ. Both sides were awesome but NZ should have won. SA should not have been awarded that 55m penalty in the dying minutes, why? Because; 1. SA already made a 30m advantage from the incident. 2. The ref missed it. He only knew about it because he listened to the complaints of SA players. it occurred 30m back, so too bad for SA.
Hoy
Roar Guru
I think there is a difference between a joke and a smart remark Mike. If it was a joke, then this is an odd situation that should never have arisen. If it was a smart alec comment, not said in jest, but in seriousness, then whilst the verbal stoush is a step too far, it also says a lot about attitudes... and that was my point. Is it so precious to ask Team Players, or Employees, to don the national shirt? Sure, the old thirsty thirds don't need the club shirt.. in fact it is probably best they wear the opposition shirts, to throw people off the scent, but this is our national team. Our National team. Now long ago, it was selected from the best players in Australia. Now it is selected from the best contracted players in Australia. The more I think about it, the more I think that seems to be hindering our game. This is now a job, but it should be so much more. They are playing for Australia. Wearing our shirt, should not be open to smart remarks. That is what I am saying. A national player, asked to wear the national shirt in transit... is not that unreasonable... Certainly not so unreasonable to warrant a smart quip. That might just be the respect I have anyway. In regards to the All Black players, I am sure they joke around... But I don't think there is one there that seems to think they are bigger than the game. I am not saying Beale does or does not, but for a player to complain they are on the bench... says a bit doesn't it? But again, that is just my warped, old school values of respect coming through.
Dru
Guest
It's the only sample we have that is germain. "The kiwi do it" doesn't help either... Can't remember the last time they played with 30% possession and continued with grubbers. Somewhere here the WBs have to learn to treasure the pill. They sure as hell don't in anyway on the evidence of the last two tests.
Dru
Guest
You're not really listening are you?
Dan Hay
Guest
Good article. I don't think Kurtley Beale should get sacked because he had an argument about wearing a t-shirt.
Kia Kaha
Roar Guru
At the end of the June series, everything looked so rosy. Sydney was indeed a missed opportunity to break the NZ hoodoo. The home record is intact and that's what Link has to get his players fighting to protect in Brisbane. The last two tests have seen a downward spiral in confidence. It is time to address that and get the Wallabies in an upward spike regardless of the result for an extremely challenging autumn tour.
Daz
Guest
There is simply too much conniving and politics in Oz rugby. Ask anyone who knows John Connolly. McKenzie is now hoist by his own petard. He did to Deans what he now suspects Cheika is trying to do to him. Honi soit and all of that. There is no honour among thieves when there is no overriding principle all of them can aspire to. In the absence of a commitment to making the Wallabies the best team on earth it is doomed to degenerating into factional, disruptive war.
Perthstayer
Roar Rookie
TEC: Agreed. Also, Lancaster was told he had some leeway when he started, he used it and England are closing in on being very competitive at the RWC. Amongst several issues is he was told he had leeway, he didn't have to ask for it from the public as it seems EM would have to if he were a mite more humble. Also, Lancaster has just been given a contract to RWC 2020 - this is a great move. Gives the coach faith, the players stability and tells the public to pipe down.
Daws
Guest
Nationalist - Discrimination by nation Racist - Discrimination by race Check yourself before you wreck yourself.
Cam Fay
Guest
Maybe we should sign Todd Carney then?
Rollaway7
Guest
Nice of you yo take the chat down a level by calling me names, it simply discredits your opinion. The only thing little about me is my opinion of you.