De ja vu, following a pattern, again flattering to deceive. Whatever you call it, the Wallabies’ performance in Paris had a familiar ring to it.
Simple errors, missed tackles, annoying knock-ons. It was a miracle that Australia almost won the game considering they spent most of the match doing their best to lose it.
The inconsistent French finally turned up after going missing in the three-Test series in Australia earlier this year.
It was a come down of sorts for Michael Cheika’s Wallabies in only his third game in charge, after two wins.
But let’s not flay the team too much.
Yes, they were poor. Yes, they will have to do much better against Ireland this weekend and next year if they are to have a good World Cup. But the potential and the talent is there. They almost pulled off a victory despite playing at about 50 per cent, which is something.
Cheika’s game-plan – winning fast ball, playing off the front foot, a hard edge in the forwards, relentless workrate and energy – can work at Test level. But the man and his players need a little time to get their heads around it. The Waratahs’ tough boss will let his players know that Saturday’s showing just isn’t good enough.
There’s isn’t much time, but they do deserve a little leeway.
To borrow a line from Ange Postecoglou and the Socceroos, good performances, not necessarily results, are important at the moment. The big lure is the World Cup next year.
Succeed there and a so-so spring tour in 2014 is quickly forgotten.
A defeat and impressive display over a struggling England at Twickenham in two weeks’ time is more crucial than victory over the Irish or the French. The close win over Wales builds confidence for when the two teams meet again in 12 months, extending the mental advantage we have, and so would a good display against the Poms at their fortress.
The Wallabies showed signs of tiredness on Saturday after a long, long campaign and it would be good to see Cheika refresh his line-up.
Let’s see Quade Cooper and Will Genia at 10 and 9. Let’s give Matt Hodgson a starting spot and throw Sam Carter another lifeline.
2014 for the Wallabies has been a mixed bag. But there is some depth and experience being built. Henry Speight coming into calculations, hopefully Nic Cummins back in Australia in 2015. Tevita Kuridrani standing tall.
Two decent hookers, Stephen Moore and Tatafau Polota-Nau, to come back in. David Pocock to hopefully return. Karmaichael Hunt to potentially put his hand up next season, which would be wonderful. More experience for Israel Folau. Will Skelton to continue to develop and become an 80-minute player.
It’s not all negative.
Certainly what happened at the Stade de France on the weekend was frustrating. Our scrum must improve. But there’s still two games to play.
Four good performances and wins out of five would be impressive. It’s still achievable. Three from five would be respectable.
More answers will come at the Aviva this Saturday.
Follow John Davidson on Twitter @johnnyddavidson
Bradm
Guest
Serious Ray? These guys are meant to be professionals. The majority of us turn op in our professional careers a minimum of 240 days a year and perform or else face the sack. These guys are tired because of a couple of hours a week 43 times a year (admit there are a couple hours training during the week) Give me a break!
Magic Sponge
Guest
Agree with the article , if we win one of the next two , it will be a good campaign. id like Cheika to throw Hodgson , Cooper Genia and Faulkner and Toomua in this week to see if they cope and produce under pressure
Rugby Tragic
Guest
Perhaps Michael Chieka is pushing them too hard at the end of a long season. They are not machines. It appears to be an Australian trait to push, push and push, hoping to get a little bit more when sometimes 'less is more'. Take thoroughbreds, Aussie want a quick return, the Golden Slipper is the richest race in the world for 2 year olds. As a two year old, they are still growing, their bone structure is not yet set. In NZ 2 year olds are very lightly raced. And I mean 'very lightly', but the horse go on racing until the are 7 - 8 year olds. In Aussie very few 2 year olds can back up as 3 year olds. They are over raced and they are retired to stud as 4 year olds or break down. Its just the way it is I guess.
Dandaman
Roar Rookie
This is a very optimistic article!
Ray
Guest
I think the heading Weary Wobblies says it all. The work load on the core member of the Wallabies is simply too long in Feb to Dec each year. Maybe the 5 weeks at the end of the year in Europe should be development of exciting NRC and marginal Wallabies, and leave the core members at home to recover.
Popeye
Guest
Yeah agree with most of that. The Frogs were under a lot of pressure to make amends for their disastrous mid year tour and recognition is due to a much better effort by Les Bleus. I expect Ireland will be too strong for the WB's this time, but there's no need to panic imo. Soak up the experience and focus on improving in key areas such as how to combat Ireland's style of forward play. Will be interesting to see how Hooper plays in this game, as the Paddies will no doubt demand all hands being committed to contesting the ball. I just hope the WB's save enough to give to low swinging chariots a good seeing to at Twickers and take away a great mental advantage ahead of RWC pool play. This should be more important than short term gratification by winning in Dublin. Of course both would be just wonderful :-)
ben
Guest
"Only played 50%" and"looked tired". No credit to france? I thought the french pressured the qantasroos into a lot of those mistakes. Come on. Some credit to france. Were they playing 50% and were they tired during the june series? You never said.