James Horwill is backing embattled coach Ewen McKenzie to revive the Wallabies’ flagging fortunes after their forgettable week in Argentina ended in ignominy.
Argentina’s 21-17 victory in Mendoza consigned the Wallabies to a dubious place in history as the Pumas’ first Rugby Championship scalp, and dropped McKenzie’s success rate to 52 per cent from 21 Tests at the helm.
The Wallabies’ preparations for the Pumas were beset by problems within their camp and McKenzie, acknowledging the buck stops with him, is under growing pressure to sort it all out before hosting the All Blacks in Brisbane on October 18.
The Wallabies are winless in six starts against the world champions under McKenzie, but Horwill believes his former Queensland Reds Super Rugby-winning mentor can turn things around quickly.
“I’ve got all confidence in Ewen and his whole coaching staff to have the ability to take this team forward to where we can be,” Horwill said.
“We know we are a very good team when we put it all together.
“He’s a very good coach and we’ve seen that; results don’t lie.
“We need to keep working. It’s never a finished product this group.
“I’ve learnt that over 10 years doing this. Things are thrown at you that are not always going to expect.
“International rugby is a tough thing. I hate to use a cliche, but it’s a week by week proposition.”
The veteran lock said the Wallabies were hurting over their performance against the Pumas.
“We’re pretty angry as well about how we performed over here,” Horwill said.
“The beauty is we get another opportunity the week after next to put in a better performance.
“It is in front of our home crowd, at Suncorp, a place where we love playing.
“So hopefully get a big parochial crowd and we can get stuck in.”
Matthew Skellett
Guest
Next headline will be "Mr Mckenzie has the full support of the ARU " ....... da next one after that will be " McKenzie sacked!!!!!"-Mr Mckenzie has clearly lost the dressing room and most if not all his authority -it's time Mr Pulver put him out of his misery -the season started brightly and has ended in a shambolic mess . News is that the last Bledisloe Test isn't selling a lot of tickets -well isn't that a surprise -Mr and Mrs Australian Rugby Supporter are voting with their feet and it's not towards the stadium . The Australian Public have weighed Mr McKenzie, the ARU and the Wobblies in the balance and they have been found oh so wanting -it will take a lot of humility and honest hard yakka to fix this mess but for this bunch of narcissistic entitled wannabes that is a bridge they don't want to cross let alone approach .
Quading in...
Guest
Thanks RedKev good to hear your thoughts again. I had a close watch of Fardy again this week given his brilliant performance (2nd best for us behind TK) against the Boks the week prior. He had 3 turnovers by my count and was unlucky not to be given at least one penalty for them holding the ball (2 questionable situations from memory). In terms of getting over the advantage line in tight he did a good job. Again, I hope this result doesn't take the wind from his sails, because he is FINALLY beginning to find form again.
Quading in...
Guest
I think the game against the Boks has to be considered competitive. Given the 70min effort, the team should be encouraged they CAN compete, they just need the confidence, fitness and planning to do so at the closing stages of a game such as that. The Boks showed how much it hurt in Aus to get pipped at the line, and made sure it didn't happen again. That was the lesson the WBs need to get from that one. As far as the Pumas game goes, the back line defence was very poor late in the game (3 games in a row now). Our back replacements need to be up to it, regardless of what they provide in attack IMO
deano
Guest
The way you can win the rc by bonus points is just plain gay look at weekends game boks abs played good rugby no bonus points try it's like the ms congeniality award at ms world the bonus point It came from age when rugby wasent running not needed anymore tough games you win how you can it's a joke in rugby .the worst I's the point if you lose close you don't deserve a point you bloody lost
deano
Guest
Yep kiwi fans should remember only win away for all blacks was against the pumas and pumas finished stronger in that game they drew a miserable wallaby team one of worst in years lost to boks.can't win world cup in nz it's not there this time I'd be worried if I was Hansen with the away results Ellis park is like twickers oh dear
Rob G
Guest
lets not look into anything link does as proof of anything. I think it must be purely on the roll of a dice. Maybe he cuts the head off a chicken and places it on a wheel of fortune board...who knows.
cowboy shaw
Guest
Cant he just go! Hes not only hopeless hes arrogant for no good reason too
DaniE
Guest
Yeah... full support.. shades of The Games! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dZ3zxF0qPGM#t=1335
Jibba Jabba
Guest
You mean Gareth Delve? ??
Gnostic
Guest
Marc, you show you deep rugby knowledge when you suggest Palmer, he retired due to injury. The rest of your suggestions really don't need discussing after that, as injury precludes many and form others.
Jibba Jabba
Guest
They saved up for 43 years for that - bit like Aussie at Eden Park i suppose - thank christ they didn't win there then.....
rich1612
Guest
I'm sure it's just some mischievous info running around the Internet
Magic Sponge
Guest
Giteau voted Frances best player, classic.
Magic Sponge
Guest
I was there and though the Boks were terrible at Perth, the ref gave us that one.
Garth
Guest
Yep. She gets last chance after last chance until someone accuses her of plotting against him. Then, suddenly, she's gone and it's all a left wing conspiracy against her. Alternatively, another minister has repeatedly demonstrated incompetence in their portfolio, to a such a staggering degree that another minister has to step in just to deal with the (countless) Faux Pas, yet the original minister remains in "control" of said portfolio with the full backing and confidence of the PM. Or does your PM do things differently over there.
rich1612
Guest
Garth
Guest
Couldn't build one out of Reds either, FOS.
mania
Guest
aus slips to 4th in the world rankings after deans got them to 2nd from 5th. links doing well, yeah right
Phil
Guest
What about the Argies games against the Boks?Surely you are not going to say that could not have easily been a draw in SA and a win to the Argies at home? I am not trying to gloss over the Wallabies shortcomings but I think a bit of perspective is needed by some supporters who think we should win everything.Let's face it,we are not the All Blacks,so don't expect to always play like them.
Monday's Expert
Guest
Nope. Why don't you enlighten us?