The Wallabies are on their end-of-year-tour for 2014, and so far they’ve played one match, against the Barbarians at Twickenham last Saturday.
This was a welcome change from previous tours, where Barbarians matches were usually played at the end of the tour.
It was a good chance for the team and the new coach Michael Cheika to blow away any cobwebs and get some combinations going before playing Wales, Ireland, France and England.
The Wallabies were playing a very strong Barbarians team that looked almost like an All Blacks A side, and coached by the former All Black and Blues coach John Kirwan.
The Wallabies won 40-36 in a fast open match that turned into a thriller at the end after a spirited fightback by the Barbarians from 40-22 down with 10 minutes to go.
The fall-off in intensity by the Wallabies in the last 10 minutes seemed to mirror a trend from the Rugby Championship and Bledisloe 3, and did cloud an otherwise good performance.
Cheika selected a number of players for run-on starts who hadn’t had much time on the field for the Wallabies, or were coming back from injuries. So the side was markedly different to the team pipped by the All Blacks in Bledisloe 3 a few weeks ago.
Notably getting starts were James Horwill at lock, Matt Hodgson at open side, Ben Alexander and Benn Robinson as props, Will Genia and Quade Cooper as the halves combination and Rob Horne and Henry Speight on the wings. New boy Sean McMahon and Will Skelton were on the bench.
Cheika’s motives for making those selections can be interpreted in a number of different ways, from attempting to promote team harmony by giving all players a chance to shine, to the coach’s desire to see these players in action. Perhaps is was also showing a fair and open team selection process to blot out any hints of Waratah preferences.
It was probably all three reasons, in reality, and looked like a very good start for the new coach.
From the players given their chances, some performed well enough to be real run-on possibilities in the Tests, while others were rusty or failed to seize the moment. Horwill looked to have more mongrel and work rate and looked good as a lineout receiver. He may get his opportunity to start this week, but would he replace Sam Carter or Rob Simmons?
Ben McCalman was returning from injury and played strongly at eight, earning his place to start against Wales, particularly with Scott Higginbotham suffering a hamstring strain. McMahon was just about the best player on the field after he came on to replace the injured Higginbotham, and looks a strong possibility to start at six this week.
Hodgson also played well, and he or Luke Jones are also in the mix for six. However, McCalman is not as strong a lineout option as Higginbotham, so a six lacking height may put pressure on the choice of locks, where Simmons reigns supreme in Australian rugby. The pack selections for this week will be very interesting for the back five, but the front row used in Bledisloe 3 – James Slipper, Saia Fainga’a, and Sekope Kepu – are certainties.
In the backs, Rob Horne was outstanding, while Speight looked vulnerable positionally in defence, and didn’t really stand out in attack with few opportunities. To pick Speight in the 15 this week might be too soon. So with Adam Ashley-Cooper on one wing, either Joe Tomane or Horne should be on the other.
The one who misses out could be on the bench, and I think Horne has earned his run-on. Matt Toomua played well, but Christian Lealiifano was smooth and silky in attack and should retain the 12 spot in which he excelled against the All Blacks in Bledisloe 3.
Genia and Cooper didn’t really show out, with Genia’s pass being notably slower and less accurate than Nic White’s, and Cooper’s passing also suffering. Genia looks to be behind Nick Phipps and White at the moment. With a likely 6-2 split of forwards and backs against Wales, it is unlikely there would be a spot for Cooper in the 23 either, as a wing-utility player and a halfback would probably be the two backs on the bench.
Judging by the way the Wallaby attack functioned against the All Blacks in Bledisloe 3, and how it looked when Bernard Foley, Nic White and Christian Lealiifano came on against the Barbarians, Michael Cheika will almost certainly select the same backline used in Bledisloe 3. There may be the possible switch of Horne to start and Tomane on the bench, while Nick Phipps will start at halfback with White on the bench.
Forwards win matches, or so the piggies tell us, and that is where the physicality that Cheika wants is going to mostly play out. Aggression in defence and at the breakdown will be telling for the Wallabies. We saw some of this in the Barbarians match, but there’s a way to go yet.
As a start for Cheika’s team, however, it looks promising. I think Horwill could really lift under Cheika, and become the top quality lock that he was and had the potential to become. Michael Hooper and McMahon are strong running forwards, who are good in defence, but it is at the breakdown where they will need to stand out. Confidence in the retaining of possession is essential to enable patience to prevail and the attack to unleash its full power.
Nathan Grey is working on the defensive structures, and we should know more about how that’s going after the Wales Test. The Barbarians match showed snippets of promise tempered by new combination frailties, so expect a big improvement this week.
Cheika places great emphasis on communicating with his players and getting them into the right state of mind to perform at their best. He also has high standards of physicality and requires constant movement at training to get the players into the attitude of continually getting up off the deck and getting in motion to contribute.
He would want his side to show resolve and attitude and not a fade away in the last 10 minutes of matches, so it will be interesting to see what happens. Expect this facet to improve each match. Players not putting in the required effort won’t be in the mix, and they would have been made aware of that.
Overall, the Wallabies appear to be going well, with defence, physicality and mental preparedness being the major wheels in motion where major improvements are needed, and expected. If this happens, the Wallabies will start to look like a powerful and consistent team that plays out the full 80 minutes, and will be a major threat to any team.
bennalong
Guest
I'm sweating on this game because the team has not really "got" Chieka's pattern in the forewards yet and the attacking physicality requires coordinated pods of three all running from depth. Defence should also be coordinated to take the ball carrier backward after impact. Also the defensive pattern will be different to allow the new forewards game, a big ask in a test match. Nevertheless I expect the team to have come up as notch in enthusiasm and by now the 'jet lag' cobwebs will be past. Hooper and McMahon will be quick to the breakdown and should play off each other. We may miss Fardy. I'm looking foreward to see which of Simmons or Carter ends up subbed. I'm hoping Simmons gets a bit of grunt, but I'm tipping Carter as the more likely ball runner with Cheiks tutelage. Two more sleeps!
Mick
Guest
We shall see, I reckon by the Ireland, England games we will start to see Chieka's fitness regime kick in. My bet is we won't see any more fades in the last 10 because of fitness and attitude. Game management is not the issue, they managed for 70 against the Boks and 80 against the AB's, but didn't have the gas to last.
Mike
Guest
Which requires an understanding of what leadership is, and how it is achieved. Lynagh had the advantage of a settled team and game-plan, and he was confident in his coach, and vice-versa. I think Dwyer had been coach of the Wallabies for about 3 years by that match. Its not surprising that there was some uncertainty in this game.
Ruckin' Oaf
Guest
Hey Cam, Yeah that messing about at the end of the game was a bit of a worry I don't know what was going through their minds. I can remember reading Horan and Little's biography when they talked about being behind in the quarter final against Ireland in RWC 1991 how Michael Lynagh was able to clearly and concisely lay out what they were going to do to win that game. That kind of level headed leadership doesn't seem to be around currently.
Ruckin' Oaf
Guest
Hey Mick, Against the Barbarians didn't pretty much all the Wallaby forward reserves get a run towards the end ? Fitness must be a real issue if they can't last 20 minutes.
AlsBoyce
Roar Guru
Bit harsh. He's improved a lot, and is well worth his spot, mostly delivering good targeted ball.
Daws
Guest
Still think Phipps is the fastest pass Down Under, even if it doesn't hit the target.
RobC
Roar Guru
Thanks for the article. Irrespective of his base game. His #1 priority should be the bench scrum, loose scrum and defence Less of an issue in EOYT as EU depth is not up to WB / Sth Hem levels. Its prep for next year Key is prep and alignment w'SR and NRC teams. That will be an interesting journey - for onfield and off-field reasons
AlsBoyce
Roar Guru
Have to agree with you about cutting off the foot, and he does look like he's swallowed some angry pills a lot. I think Cheika will have told him that his next kick may be his last, so that may cure him. Passing-wise though, White delivers a fast flat ball off the deck, or at least without the couple of steps backward that Genia now seems to do. Genia just slows the attack and gives the defence such a big chance to disrupt our ball that it makes it very hard to pick him. He can fix this problem, but I think a Super Rugby season will be needed for him to get it right.
The Sheriff
Guest
Make White the water boy I say. Cut off his kicking foot and make him practise passing for an hour a day at least. Then gaffer tape his mouth .
Bones506
Roar Guru
Fardy is out injured and not Touring. McMahon is quite good at the breakdown. Hodgson would be the best off the back rowers at pilfers.
Mick
Guest
Those red tinted glasses clouding your perception again. Cooper and Genia gained a pass mark at best (51%), wishing they were better wont make it so and I doubt Cooper will get much of a run with Chieka, he doesnt have the ticker. The piggies go missing in the last 10 because they arent fit enough, which is why we continue to look fragile in that period. It has nothing to do with game management and I am very glad Mr Intercept wasn't on the field, because we would have lost to the Baa, baa's. As it is, we were lucky his first intercept wasn't held by De Jongh, it may have been a different game.
Browny
Roar Rookie
"Genia’s passes at least found the man on a consistent basis. Which is more than can be said of White. " I think you also have to consider the upside, if it be called that, of Genia clearly being out of fitness and out of form. We know that he can improve from his form last Sunday night whereas White I don't see the same possibility of improvement, at least not in the same time frame. Saying this, Genia may not get back to old form and White may sort out his issue of ball delivery by hand and foot. "...and now we play the waiting game..." "The Wallabies nearly folded again in the last 10 minutes, as noted something of a pattern recently. Could game management be an issue ? If so how is that rectified ?" I think this is our biggest issue at the moment. More so than Alexander's continuous selection or White's disadvantageous box kicking tendency; there is a leadership issue, and I'll be quick to note I'm not singling out Hooper or anyone in particular, it appears to be across the board and it is hurting us severely. I know it was essentially and exhibition match but why did it take several minutes of us clawing on for dear life for Kepu to do the right thing and end the game? Surely at the 82nd minute (or whenever it was that we first recovered possession after the siren) the game should have been over. Why risk a loss or an injury due to playing on to give the crowd the spectacle of another try? Surely they had got their money's worth by the 80 minute mark. What if Kepu went down? Or we lost another hooker? Kuridrani? The lads need a little coaching in risk versus reward and game management decision making. Hopefully this tour provides them with a grounding in those aspects.
Cam
Guest
"Genia’s passes at least found the man on a consistent basis. Which is more than can be said of White. " I think you also have to consider the upside, if it be called that, of Genia clearly being out of fitness and out of form. We know that he can improve from his form last Sunday night whereas White I don't see the same possibility of improvement, at least not in the same time frame. Saying this, Genia may not get back to old form and White may sort out his issue of ball delivery by hand and foot. "...and now we play the waiting game..." "The Wallabies nearly folded again in the last 10 minutes, as noted something of a pattern recently. Could game management be an issue ? If so how is that rectified ?" I think this is our biggest issue at the moment. More so than Alexander's continuous selection or White's disadvantageous box kicking tendency; there is a leadership issue, and I'll be quick to note I'm not singling out Hooper or anyone in particular, it appears to be across the board and it is hurting us severely. I know it was essentially and exhibition match but why did it take several minutes of us clawing on for dear life for Kepu to do the right thing and end the game? Surely at the 82nd minute (or whenever it was that we first recovered possession after the siren) the game should have been over. Why risk a loss or an injury due to playing on to give the crowd the spectacle of another try? Surely they had got their money's worth by the 80 minute mark. What if Kepu went down? Or we lost another hooker? Kuridrani? The lads need a little coaching in risk versus reward and game management decision making. Hopefully this tour provides them with a grounding in those aspects.
Ruckin' Oaf
Guest
Genia's passes at least found the man on a consistent basis. Which is more than can be said of White. "when Bernard Foley, Nic White and Christian Lealiifano came on against the Barbarians, " The Wallabies nearly folded again in the last 10 minutes, as noted something of a pattern recently. Could game management be an issue ? If so how is that rectified ?
Cam
Guest
I just hope that everyone who really stood up when they were given a chance in the last two matches reaps the benefits of that this week. McCalman is obvious locked at #8 but I think McMahon and Horwill are both worthy of a start. Pushes Hodgson and Carter to the bench but hopefully they can both provide an impact on arrival. Toomua has been really solid but you can't go past Leali'ifano at 12 after his efforts of late. Pairs beautifully with Kuridrani, especially when he's getting good, fast ball up near the advantage line from Foley. Horne should get the 11 after the Baa-Baa's game and I think it'll be AAC and Folau to round out the back three. Cant wait for this game, especially the battle of the centres.
Crystal Ball
Guest
Let's see how we perform this weekend chaps to gauge how responsive the players are to Cheika, what we want is what we saw in Bledisloe 3. There was physicality, commitment, attack and defense, the whole shooting match, what our Wallabies are capable of, so come on chaps we are on show, pull up your socks, put your best foot forward and remember you are Wallabies representing your country and a tradition gentlemen!
Stray Gator
Roar Rookie
Fardy is still (particularly in the last few games) better in the ruck, but much poorer in attack with ball in hand. It will be very interesting to see the balance Cheika arrives at in the starting XV.
Armand van Zyl
Roar Guru
Super glad to hear. Rugby is the name of the game and I am thrilled to see Cheika getting the Aussies back on board and leaving the whole text message saga in the background where it should be. Get that winning attitude Wallabies and go for the clean sweep. You're more than capable. Can't wait to watch their game!
Daws
Guest
Whats McMahon like at the breakdown? Fardy's pretty decent there so he'll need to match him if he wants no. 6, unless Fardy gets moved to lock (which could be cool).