The Wallabies’ worrying trend of losing attacking steam in the second half is becoming a cause for concern in the build-up to next year’s World Cup.
Australia carried all the momentum into halftime against Ireland in Dublin but couldn’t go on with it, scoring just three second-half points in the 26-23 loss on Saturday (Sunday AEDT).
Previous Tests against France and Wales followed a similar pattern, with only one of Australia’s eight tries scored under Michael Cheika coming after halftime.
The Wallabies have scored most of their points in the first half of the past six Tests and centre Matt Toomua admits it’s a puzzling problem.
“The second half has been a bit of an issue for us throughout the whole year,” said Toomua, who made an impressive return at inside centre against Ireland.
“I don’t have any answers as to why. If I did, you would probably have seen it out there.
“But you can see the game actually tighten up towards the end there, so whether that’s teams being aware of the situation, I’m not sure.”
The Wallabies have been worked hard in training under Cheika but players insist fatigue is not playing a part.
Australia will be able to leave everything on the pitch against England at Twickenham on Saturday in their last Test of the season.
England inflicted the Wallabies’ only loss of last year’s tour and Toomua – who looks certain to retain his starting spot – admitted memories of the 20-13 loss 12 months ago would serve as motivation.
“It was probably the loss that hurt us most last year,” Toomua said.
“We won’t be short of motivation but you never are at international level.”
Australia need to avoid defeat to prevent their worst European campaign since 2005.
“Three losses in a row to finish the year wouldn’t be great but we’re doing a lot of hard work and a lot of right things so we know we’re moving forward and we’ll start getting the results,” Toomua said.
“Hopefully, that starts this week but you definitely want to finish the year with a win.”
Kirko
Guest
the hands were going back until an irish hand deflected the passing motion causing the ball to then float forward - that's not a forward pass....the awarding of the try was fair enough. Am frustrated by the amount of times an up & under is left to bounce by the Wallabies - its not like it was a surprise move by Ireland - it is their main tactic and there should is no reason for Folau or another experienced high ball person to be taking those.
HiKa
Roar Rookie
How about calling Big Willy "The Key" - because he un-locks our scrum.
Demark
Guest
Composure and self belief are the qualities needed to close out a match. It is not there yet but with time I am hopeful it will come
Louie
Guest
No they gave us nothing Except the ball at every opportunity. Unfortunately we were unable to catch or kick return well enough to punish them. Imagine now it's the Irish giving that much ball to the ABs? I am constantly amazed professional rugby player who can't kick, catch (anything) or pass. Expect Jakeball from the Poms with added forward grunt....could be really ugly. Mind you they need to have the skill to kick like Sexton did last week.
Flange
Guest
Whereas obsession is binary.
tsuru
Guest
It's a small thing, I know, but I believe about 10 minutes from the end I saw the ball thrown to Skelton in the lineout and he jumped. No support, but he jumped and maybe even caught it. Progress is an incremental thing.
Hoy
Roar Guru
I think the first halves when the opposition score easy points is possibly more of an issue, and leads then to the final minute scramble and the need to score points at the death. There isn't certain moments when teams lose a game... but with the Wallabies, it is a series of moments that compound and stop them from winning... attacking scrums being penalised... dropped pill, after dropped pill... people not passing when they should, or passing when they shouldn't...
Harry
Guest
If you sit back and analyse recent Wallaby performances you'll see the Walls actually get dominated territorially in the 2nd half of most of their games this year and thus enter the final 10 minutes where, to remind again, we have been right in the game in EVERY test match (bar the one in NZ) this year, only to lose all but 3 of them (Wales, and SA and Arg at home) in a weaker position than the Oppo. I think a big factor in this is poor tactical kicking ... a weakness in Foley's game and others aren't much better. Another is a shaky set piece from around the hour mark when the starting forwards, particularly the front row, tire and we get the likes of The Hinge and no jump no push Big Willy coming on.
Bunratty
Guest
yep
Professor Rosseforp
Guest
I think the Wallaby fightback in the late first half, aided by a dubious refereeing decision in awarding a try, hid the fact that the Wallabies weren't all that flash in the first half. Ireland played in an extremely disciplined fashion, and didn't give too much away, as they have in the past.
Blinky Bill of Bellingen NSW
Guest
Putting myself in Cheiks shoes for a moment ........ what to do at such short notice with this team? Whether he admits it or not, he will be looking towards the RWC. He's got to be. So he needs to start chiseling away now at the game plan he wants them to play and looking for the players that can best deliver it. Cheiks has his way of getting his message across. We've all seen his artwork (was it 'game face'?) and heard about 'swing the club' from the Tahs dressing room. At Wallaby level I'm hearing 'we love scrums' and 'you're never tired when you play for Australia'. On the surface these seem unimportant almost funny. But often it's the simple things that make the difference and get us through under pressure & when the sh#t is flying. So what next from him? For me it'll be something to stop those frigging annoying knock-ons. 'House on fire.......do NOT drop the baby'. :)
s.t.rine
Guest
Took a lot of positives from this Test. First half - and lesser in second but still there - was the continuity of Wallaby attack with not previously-seen passing out of tackle, a la NZ, Also passes stuck and players were on front foot. Could see the toll on both sides but Irish players were harder hit and hurting despite their shorter season versus SH Bodes well whether they beat England or not. England needs the win more than the coming-together Ws S T
RT
Guest
Frustrating for them? Imagine what it's doing to their supporters! :)