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In the 1980s the Wallabies – led by the likes of Mark Ella – played a successful brand of attacking rugby that we have not seen since.
Or did they?
Let’s look at a breakdown of try scoring averages for the Wallabies across the decades since the war.
1950s: 1.2 tries per game
1960s: 1.2 tries per game
1970s: 1.79 tries per game
1980s: 3.02 tries per game
1990s: 3.40 tries per game
2000s: 3.20 tries per game
2010-present: 2.50 tries per game
It is clear that the average tries per game scored by the Wallaby’s in the decade that was the 1980’s was healthy by overall Wallaby standards. But the 3.05 tries per game averaged by the Wallabies in the 1980s is hardly spectacular.
It is also clear that there has been a dip since 2010. To be fair the jury is still out on this decade. For instance in the past 12 months the Wallabies have averaged 2.93 tries per match. Under Cheika things will only get better.
I also think that the only reason the 1980s are remembered by so many with such disproportionate fondness, in comparison to the state of play since, is simply because it was indeed the first time the Wallabies started to be relatively successful at attacking and scoring tries.
In the decades before the 1980s, the Wallabies rarely scored tries. I couldn’t bear looking past the 1950s on Espnscrum after coming across the fact that for two decades the Wallabies scored just 1.2 tries per game. How depressing.
Still we must not let the older generation convince us that by looking back to the 1980s we’ll be able to necessarily improve things. We must remind them that the Wallabies in the 1980s, like at every other time, rarely beat the All Blacks.
Here are the Wallabies’ win ratios against the All Black’s in the decades since the war.
1950s: 23% win ratio v NZ
1960s: 9% win ratio v NZ
1970s: 20% win ratio v NZ
1980s: 32% win ratio v NZ
1990s: 44% win ratio v NZ
2000s: 31% win ratio v NZ
2010-present: 13% win ratio v NZ
Clearly, the All Black’s have been difficult to beat historically. Apart from the odd series and match, we haven’t ever really had their measure. The 1980’s were no different.
But what about Ella and his men from the 80s against all other opposition? After all, they won a grand slam.
The fact is that during the 80s the Wallabies only won just over half their matches altogether in that time.
Here is a run down of the Wallaby win ratio across the decades since the war.
1950s: 24% overall win ratio
1960s: 28% overall win ratio
1970s: 42% overall win ratio
1980s: 58% overall win ratio
1990s: 74% overall win ratio
2000s: 60% overall win ratio
2010-present: 57% overall win ratio
Yes we must respect the deeds of yesteryear but only in the proportion it deserves.
If we do look at the great Ella and his short 25 Test career, we see a 40 per cent win ratio against the All Blacks. Against all opposition we still only managed a 52 per cent win ratio during his Test career.
During Mark Ella’s time in Test rugby, the Wallabies managed to score on average 2.33 tries per game. At the time this was a big spike in tries. In terms of today, it is pretty poor.
So, are we guilty of looking back on the past with rose-coloured glasses?
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.