There’s been some really high-quality, tough-but-fair analysis of the Wallabies’ 33-28 win over Wales last weekend in Cardiff.
Certainly, new coach Michael Cheika’s suggestion that the Wallabies forwards will need to “learn to love scrums” was timely before the Wales Test, and the 66th minute penalty try provided no greater reason why.
Scott Allen’s analysis on Wednesday was outstanding, and after going on about the scrum engagement height of the locks this time last year, I could only nod in agreement when Scott wrote, “It amazes me that the Wallabies keep making it harder for their props by allowing the middle row to scrummage as poorly as they do.”
It’s very easy to blame Australian props for scrum issues, but when a lock has both head and arse pointing skywards and flankers are there only to make up the numbers, blaming props is well off target.
On that point, it was interesting to see Benn Robinson packing at openside and Cheika himself packing at number 8 in opposed scrums at training in Paris this week. I hope it means the backrowers were out of shot taking detailed notes.
But I actually don’t want to mount the soapbox about obvious problems today, because the way the Wallabies responded after the penalty try really impressed me, and deserves due credit.
You only have to think about how the Wallabies have responded to scrum penalty tries over the last decade or so, and particularly on European tours, to know this is true. Too often, the tail fell between the legs, only moving occasionally as the team bent over and thought of England. Sometimes they were even playing at Twickenham, too.
But this time was different. After the restart saw both teams exchanging territory kicks, the Wallabies had a lineout throw around 30 metres out from their line on the near side.
From the lineout, the Wallabies played for ten phases down the centre channel of the field, each time pushing the ball at least two passes for the next ruck. Referee Craig Joubert had actually played penalty advantage for the last eight phases before going back to the original penalty with the Wallabies not really making any ground.
From the subsequent lineout on the Welsh 40 metre line, the Wallabies made it to their 22 within five phases, with replacement prop Ben Alexander making good ground every time he carried. They played with width again, meaning Wales couldn’t just bunch defenders in the centre corridor; playing multiple passes once again meant the Wallabies engaged defenders across the width of the field.
It took another five phases to breach the Welsh 22, and from there the play narrowed as it became apparent what the Wallabies were trying to set up. Bernard Foley could already be seen hovering behind the front line, readying himself for a drop goal from around 30 metres.
Conceptually, at this point at least, this is the kind of ‘playing smart’ the team would go on to ignore in the final minute of the game, when Foley kicked possession away and forced the Wallabies to defend like bloody hell for another two-and-a-half minutes.
Wales defended well though, it should also be said, and even as the Wallabies worked toward 15 phases, the Welsh remained as a single line fanned out across the field. They didn’t commit numbers to each ruck, maximising the defensive line, but nor were they putting a lot of pressure on the Australian ball carriers.
What was obvious though, was that Sam Warburton and Taulupe Faletau remained in front of the posts, readying themselves to make a charge forward if Foley appeared in the pocket.
Will Genia heard the call after the 20th phase, but had to take a moment to reset himself after falling over a prone Dan Lydiate at the back of the ruck – though it was hard to tell whether Genia tripped, or whether he might’ve been trying to milk a penalty.
Regardless, the pass was crisp and quick, Foley’s kick was good, and there was surprisingly no Welsh pressure from the open side. There was a defender charging out on the short side, but Foley had already turned on his heals by the time he arrived.
This all sounds like a pretty simple passage of play, and it’s certainly not revolutionary or groundbreaking. However, it was the Wallabies pulling it off after they’d just been humiliated up the other end of the ground, and here were many of those same forwards charging into rucks to set up the immediate response.
The fact they pulled it off with such composure and such a clear plan from so early in the piece was really good to see. We’ve all watched the Wallabies enough to have seen a pass go astray in similar situations, or a lazy cleanout result in an opposition turnover.
It just showed me that even though we seriously question the on-field decision-making sometimes – and rightly so, don’t worry – the clear thinking and execution required to strike the immediate response was still there.
Onto France, and I like that Cheika has named essentially the same side to play in Paris as got the job done in Cardiff. James Horwill comes in at lock for Sam Carter, and this is the new coach starting to assemble the bodies in the low-numbered jerseys that he needs to play his way.
Horwill has offered increasing impact from the bench this year, and it’s clear than Carter doesn’t bring the same power carrying game that Horwill does, or that Cheika wants.
It also suggests that Cheika is perhaps willing to give the players the chance to prove the many deficiencies in Cardiff were just one-offs. Should symptoms persist in Paris early Sunday morning our time, some players in the starting XV could and probably should find themselves requiring a suit and tie in Dublin.
The mercurial French are capable of anything if they so desire, and there should be no expectation of the domination the Wallabies found they had in June. They will be tested by a significantly fresher French side, if nothing else.
Once again, patience will be the key. And the Wallabies showed in glimpses last week that it is something they can pull off when the situation demands it.
Tom Watson
Guest
Rubbish Pirates... Douglas was the form WB lock in the 12 months, would have been first picked! Robinson is the best scrummager in the country, (but for some reason link decided that Slipper's 236 carries per game was more important for a prop)??? Skelton is a superior player to Carter, Simmons and Jones, (even given his inconsistent body height at scrum time) and anyone who claims he is not an 80 minute player clearly did not watch the Tahs this year... Oh... and can we please get rid of Tomane??? that is just a waste of a jersey!
richard
Guest
TWAS, I'm afraid you just shot yourself in both feet at the same time with that comment. That deserves a round of applause!
HMC
Guest
yea nothing to do with a last minute penalty that even the ref later apologised for. Tahs were luck that day. same as last Saturday
Redsback
Guest
I seem to recall Australia responding pretty well about 4 years ago in France to a penalty try right on half time...
Kerry
Guest
I agree totally. What an absolute b…y joke. We, the Aus public and WB rugby supporters, have been sold a line of faulty goods! Cheika, the "Messiah " is now tainted with having no ethics or morals when a player, especially with Beale's rap sheet, is treated like a 'king' who seems to thumb his nose at authority and get away with anything. This is unbelievable!! I have been an ardent supporter of the WBs all my life but, with what has transpired, I am now beginning to see why so many supporters are shifting their allegiance and support to other teams.
Keith of WA
Guest
I don't agree.... Beale is flying out to join the tour and let there be no doubt.... there aren't any injuries so he isn't going up there to 'fill a vacancy' It sends such a wrong message to be going on this tour at all. If Cheika really was the messiah, he would have left Beale home to 'earn' his way in.... if fitness was the reason he stayed home, what can he have done in a mere two weeks to 'suddenly get fit'???? We've been sold a line yet again.... to let the dust settle so we can have business as usual.... And I don't believe for one minute the crap that Beale being kept on wasn't part of the Cheika deal..... my tip... watch Beale be offered a new top up contract based on his 'invaluable' contribution on tour..... Makes me sick.....
"Bowled Shane"
Guest
I reckon Phill may be a good person to learn from... Although I'm sure there are several on this site that think they know more.....
"Bowled Shane"
Guest
How many would you have in the starting side out of interest?
Blinky Bill of Bellingen NSW
Guest
Yep, I recall a loud voice in the Wales test bellowing out 'we love scrums' and thought..........well that's good to know, now prove it! ;) To be fair, in my totally unqualified & very ignorant opinion, I sensed we were doing okay in that test. Even that penalty try didn't seem conclusive to me. But then maybe I was being swayed by the FoxSport commentary team (possibly Phil Kearns). :(
Daz
Guest
So what you're saying is that you have a property on the market at Oodnadatta and you want to move?
Easiest way to recognise wheeling is to watch the back row of the team accused of wheeling, they will be doing a side step.
"Bowled Shane"
Guest
Well- I'm a Qld, and I hope Skelton comes on- the guy is young and doing his best, so I'm happy to give him experience this tour. For mine, the back 5 is still a mess. I think Simmons is the best lock in Australia and harshly criticised. Palu is unfit (even when not injured)... Hooper is Aust best forward, but he poses questions when selected at 7 on how others fit in. If hooper plays 7, prob means Fardy plays... But I don't think Palu starts. If pocock kills it in super rugby next year, maybe allows Palu to play 8 and allows for a taller 6. Maybe even a lock back to 6... The back 5 is a complete puzzle- and Skelton coming on could be the key. Gill is too good to be out if squad also.... The balance is the prob... Few drinks at lunch- so hopefully not dribble!
PAUL
Guest
Second look. I'm not 100% about the intricasies of wheeling, but the reset where I though the wallabies had it, it was dug out from pretty deep. Not likely it was play on like I thought out and more likely MaCalmen's hand reaching in. Must have been shiraz tinted glasses. :)
Birdy
Guest
That's a coincidence, Daz - I'd like to die in Australia. With the heat; flies; absence of anything culturally uplifting; isolation from civilization and 'near' beer, it would prepare me nicely if a lifetime of misdeeds catch up with me and I go you know where.
Daz
Guest
Don't get me wrong. I love the English. I'd love to be there just before I die. The transition from life to death isn't so abrupt or noticeable.
Magic Sponge
Guest
Winning the s15 was purely a fluke had nothing to do with the coach?
Daws
Guest
Yeah I was waiting for him to knock on, but when he didn't and he made a few more metres I was like "wow, where have you been all this time?". If only he could scrum...
RobC
Roar Guru
Brett, I watched the replay on that. By that stage as you mentioned CJ was tired of the Oz scrum.. the crowd and Welsh scrummagers were baying for blood. In that last engagement. Before the feed, Slipper Simmons and Hooper pushed towards the midline with aggression and the Welsh THP moved back a bit. Kepu, Big Willy and SeanMac did not. So the midline, although kinda stable, was slanted with the fresh Welsh LHP and hookef pressed forward against Kepu and Co. The Welsh SH, paused thinking perhaps this isn't really right. One look at CJ, who told him to feed. Feed. Welsh pushed through the WB THP, de powering the already depowered WB scrum on Slipper side. Try / penalty try CJ could have said, the scrum needed to be reset because of the slanted midline. But WBs were gonna be screwed anyway imo.
Daz
Guest
Haha what a changing of the guard that would herald. I can just imagine the forwards saying to the backs "Yeah you guys go and play with your $29.95 Gilbert balls, we're gonna play with our $300,000 robot." Never mind the sharps they'd have to tiptoe around all the dummies on the ground.
Zero Gain
Guest
Foley had the ideal opportunity from a scrum where the NZ flanker retired instead of risking a penalty. He failed to take it in that match but obviously did take his chance last weekend.