The Australia versus Barbarians game for 2015 is in the books. Michael Cheika’s men survived by the finest of margins and left all of us with plenty to discuss in the process.
However, it would be remiss of me to dive straight into the details without first acknowledging the spirit in which the game was played.
Hats off to Barbarians coach John Kirwan for pulling out a couple of schoolboy rugby trick plays to get things started. These set the tone for the match, which remained for the full 80 minutes.
Many have also praised the Wallaby decision to risk the game and keep the ball in play beyond the final siren for the same reason. If that was deliberate, it says that my speculation Cheika would put team culture ahead of outright performance was correct, which should give us all a little bit of hope.
The match no doubt left the fans at Twickenham thoroughly entertained. Better still, it allowed the players in Cheika’s experimental squad ample opportunity to showcase their talent and make a case for inclusion in the starting XV. All of this begs the question – what did we learn?
Matt Hodgson’s selection as captain surprised more than a few punters and delighted those who have been calling for this decision since before the Rugby Championship. He played a solid 80 minutes, displaying sound leadership throughout. However, nothing about his game demands the removal of incumbent Michael Hooper.
This is not a knock on Hodgson, he played a fine game but for now he does not appear to be Australia’s best choice in the Test arena.
Hodgson’s back-row partner Sean McMahon is a different story. His try was just the icing on the cake, McMahon seemed to be everywhere at once and played a superb game of rugby.
With Higginbotham’s hamstring injured, McMahon has taken advantage of the chance he was given and management should step up and see him given another to build on that performance and tie down a position in the core of the team as he is showing signs of being something special in a position where the Wallabies are short on stars.
Many of us were hoping that Queenland halves Will Genia and Quade Cooper might show signs of life given the opportunity to return to form against the Barbarians, but in truth neither did.
Genia’s half-back service was a matter of pick up the ball, step backwards, wait a while and then pass all night. It is eerily similar to George Gregan in his final days as a Wallaby and it puts the flyhalf under constant pressure.
Worse still, it gave the enthusiastic Barbarians defence far too much time to get in the face of the Wallaby backline, leaving them constantly on the back foot and behind the advantage line. This style doesn’t work with the current Wallabies and leaves Genia as a clear third choice halfback behind Nick Phipps and Nic White.
Quade Cooper showed moments of promise, and seemed to be more focused on delivery and direction in attack than producing ‘x-Factor’ which is a step in the right direction.
He suffered as the recipient of Genia’s service, throwing some bad passes of his own, but I wouldn’t count him out just yet. Hopefully Cheika will make use of him on the bench and see how he develops.
Out on the wing, much anticipated debutant Henry Speight did not disappoint and looked dangerous on several occasions. He was however completely outperformed by NSW wing Rob Horne.
Since being unceremoniously dropped immediately after scoring the try which gave Australia their only win of the Rugby Championship over a top three team, Horne has been forced to ride the pine while Adam Ashley-Copper and Joe Tomane took centre stage.
What we saw on Sunday morning was nothing less that an emphatic demand to be included in the Wallabies squad and hopefully the coach will listen because right now Horne’s career looks like it could have a sensational renascence.
With all of that on record, what have we learned?
First and foremost, based on current form, the salvation of the Wallabies is not going in the form of the Queensland Reds halves. Secondly, McMahon and Horne are both screaming for an opportunity in the starting squad and form should be rewarded despite neither being the obvious choice.
Finally, Tevita Kuridrani and Israel Folau are both truly world-class players and we must make full use of them to take things to the next level.
With any luck this is the start of something new and exciting from the Wallabies as well as the development of some much need bench depth so lets sum Sunday up as a step in the right direction. Next stop, Wales.
Wardad
Guest
The Honey Badger has some pretty funky Mana ! He reminds me of those old school Wallies who used to make it up as they went along ! I may bleed Black but I have nothing but admiration for the Mighty Honey Badger ! !
Kirko
Guest
Iwillnot....yep agreed I don't think there was much in it, but he was down for a bit & quite groggy and took him a little while to get back on track/refocus is what I meant. The Badger was all over him like a rash - but as you want your wingers to be defensively....on him quickly to not give him any room & despite this he still made the advantage line or more. I'm with you on the handling piece (with the exception of Robinson whose were like feet)....the constant basic fumbles over the past few years have been more painful than anything....simple dropped balls in collision giving up any attempt at pressure building. I'd echo some of the other comments on here, whilst Genia was a bit rusty which forced Cooper back a bit, but behind a better pack, I think they would have looked sharper as per Phipps & Foley...who wouldn't. This week i'd start with Phipps & Cooper....QC carved them last year & I think you could play on that both from his confidence & their nerves & with the quick sharp ball Phipps is currently doing better than anyone else, the 2 of them could get some great fast ball out to our fliers.
Mango Jack
Guest
Geez you Quade fans are are touchy bunch. I was genuinely interested in how they derive the stats, but if you don't want to answer it, or can't, then let's move on.
Hoges5
Roar Rookie
Agreed
Dr Bob
Guest
Hey, remember Cummins owed Speight for the same treatment Speight gave him when the Brumbies played the Force. I think Speight will have more room in future matches.
Mike
Guest
Yes, I've seen him play a lot worse than that in the last couple of years.
Iwillnotstandby
Guest
Kirko, I watched it again on youtube (potato quality unfortunately, bad satellite feed?). Speight at one point looked to have copped an inside forearm across the face which twisted his head a bit. Nothing really malicious in it. A couple of people have noted the badge was all over him and I didn't quite see it the same way. I don't think the backline really had many problems, our forwards are where most of the work needs doing. Oh and it seems that the Wallabies are not dropping the ball as much. This is a major improvement.
Alex Wood
Roar Guru
Hi Rex, Agree with your sentiments about the tigt five. The only thing which kept me from commenting on thier performance was that there was not much to comment on. They played a solid game, with no real standouts and as always it is a pained discussion as Australia simply do not have the depth in those position. I'm planning a whole write up on this topic in the not too distant future, as a former front-rower myself I'm always happy to have a chat about the engine room. Thanks for the feedback. Cheers, Alex
The Twins
Roar Rookie
What was learned...hmmmm...a scratch team put together a couple of days before the match - only lost by 4points....WOW....shows the Werribees are improving - NOT!
Bernie Larkham
Guest
We weren't behind the ad line because of genia's shuffle we were behind the line because QC hasn't played for 4 months and was somewhat understandably staying a bit deep. The two steps is very useful because it commits the pillar and post, where it starts to go to shit is when Genia just runs backwards and passes it but in that game I saw enough of him actually challenging the forwards to commit to marking him. Cheika himself said that Genia's form in that game is making the choice of reserve halfback very hard for him.
Conzaroo
Guest
That is one short ass attention span you got there, considering QC was vice captain for half the international season last year, and played out of his skin all through the European tour
Kirko
Guest
Not sure if it was picked up on TV, but Speight seemed a bit dazed when he got to his feet after a big collision. he had the Honey-Badger marking him so got so little room compared to Horne, but still managed to get over the advantage line pretty much every time, without really breaking away. Davies has just been ruled out of Wales, so North is into the centres, therefor whoever is picked is marking a far less intimidating winger than expected....I'd give Speight some more game time.
Shane D
Roar Rookie
Had to make a ruck 'explode' when you are getting there to have a breather.
Shane D
Roar Rookie
Totally agree DF. If Skelton is on the bench you need to have either the loose forward reserve able to play lock as well or a 6 or 8 that can move to lock in case of an early injury. Skelton can't be relied upon to go for 75 minutes.
Shane D
Roar Rookie
One that the stats don't show is the type of tackle made. Players such as JDV & Nonu make tackles that stop players at or behind the attacking advantage line & create the chance of a turnover or allow the defence to reset. I can't see Foley or Cooper making those kinds of tackles in the midfield.
Paul
Guest
If it was all about speed Jesse Mogg would be a shoe in. As a package Horne is offering more than the alternatives which is why he's there. As soon as someone steps up and offers more I'm sure that they'll be called on. Till then he's the form winger in Australia
Paul
Guest
As soon as you said "I'm betting..." it ceased being a serious question and displayed your prejudice. Its a myth that Coopers defence is substantially worse than other Aus 10's. Much like the popular myths that AAC doesn't pass. Feel free to use the same stats site to see he passes more per carry than TK, and has averaged more metres. Not to say that TK isn't a brilliant 13. It is just that he is brilliant only recently.
Mango Jack
Guest
It was a serious question. How do they define these stats? I'm not completely dissing Cooper, he's a talent, but defence has never been his strong suit, and he's been injured so I was a bit surprised by the stats
Rugger
Guest
Yep, Genia will get better while White cannot handle pressure. Genia to be our No.9 come RWC.
ethan
Guest
Agree with most of this although Genia is far ahead of White. He's not at his peak form right now, but he still has a better pass and better decision making than White.