Since returning to his native shores, Waratah and Wallabies coach Michael Cheika has evoked the long-dormant brawling spirit of the Australian rugby player; who could deny that after seeing the Waratahs bully the All Black-laden Crusaders off the park last Saturday night in Sydney?
However will this ‘best in Brophy’s tent’ mentality be the sole strategy required for the Wallabies to win this year’s Rugby Championship, Bledisloe Cup, and the cup of global rugby domination, the William Webb Ellis Trophy? I hope not.
Accepted, lawful violence has its place in victory. Forwards who dominate their opposition generally lay the foundation for success, and to dominate you must be physical – politeness never won a rugby match.
Seeing the Tahs dominate the likes of Richie McCaw, Kieran Read, Wyatt Crockett, Sam Whitelock and Owen Franks is nothing to be sniffed at. Yet it was a ‘brawler’s win’ – the type that can win you a club match or even a Super Rugby match but one that lacked the finesse, discipline and intelligence required if the Wallabies are to be serious silverware contenders in 2015.
I find it unacceptable that a side that dominates both possession and territory loses any game of rugby; to do so is as a key indicator of poor strategy and/or a lack of skill. In the Cheika game plan this skill is place kicking, and strategy is the failure to use of the drop goal as a point-scoring option on the back of his side’s physical dominance when they have not been able to cross the paint.
Some may argue that the Wallabies just need to improve their attack. True, and a valid argument, but it’s pretty hard to defend against a pot goal, it’s very hard to get penalised trying one, and even harder to turn the ball over in the process if done well.
Cheika has got the Wallabies playing with a physicality that can compete with the best of Northern Hemisphere sides. Great! However, under his reign the Wallabies have the unenviable record of one win and three losses, with one of those losses to Australia’s World Cup nemeses, England.
On the 2014 end of season tour the Wallabies’ place kicking was of high standard and assisted the Australians in their victory over Wales in Cardiff, with 15 points coming from Bernard Foley’s boot, and a further three from a drop goal. Interestingly, the Wallabies dominated both possession and field position to defeat a decent Welsh team in their own back yard.
That ability to dominate both field position and possession continued into the latter three Tests, however poor place-kicking contributed to the 26-23 loss to the Irish, with the Wallabies failing to convert two of their tries, thus leaving four valuable points on the park that may have given them a 27-26 victory.
Furthermore at no stage did the Wallabies attempt to obtain points from the drop goal like in Cardiff, despite dominating both possession and territory for the match. It is near criminal that in second half the Wallabies could only manage three points despite having 63 per cent of possession and territory.
Against France, the Wallabies again lost by a mere 3 points, 29-26, and the place kicking was superb. Yet despite again having 63 per cent possession and territory, the Wallabies only scored 10 points in the second half to France’s 12. Again, not one attempt at a drop goal.
The English game was a clear indicator of not maximising opportunity. The Wallabies gave themselves every chance to win, enjoying 66 per cent possession and 70 per cent territory, ran at the English all day, but could not break them down. This is where the brawler throwing the big punches loses on points to the boxer who knows how to defend, but also knows how to score the points to win the match – and that’s what really counts at the end of the day. Again, not an attempted drop goal in sight and the Wallabies lost by nine.
Cheika is too often looking for knock-out punches like a brawler, and not using the jab enough like a boxer.
In rummaging through the SANZAR stats of 2015, the Waratahs have not ever opted to have a pot at goal, so I can’t see this option being utilised by his Wallabies at the World Cup, despite the pain the drop goal can inflict. At the 1995 Rugby World Cup a Rob Andrew drop goal sunk the Wallabies. In 2003 history repeated itself, with the famous Johnny Wilkinson drop securing England its first William Webb Ellis Trophy at Australia’s expense.
And let’s not forget the Stephen Larkham drop goal that helped sink the then World Champion Springboks at Twickenham in 1999, the last time the Wallabies won the Rugby World Cup.
The malaise currently surrounding place kicking in Australian rugby is a concern. Again rummaging through SANZAR stats it appears that Cheika’s own Waratahs have left 63 points out on the park in 2015 by failing to kick their penalties and conversions. This equates to about 23 per cent of the total of points scored by the Waratahs this season. Now, what business would not want to increase their revenue by 23 per cent?
Under Cheika the Wallabies have failed to convert position and possession into points, costing them victory. Before I get howled at for advocating 10-man rugby as our total game plan, I don’t. However I do not wish to see a repeat of 2007, when the Wallabies were pushed all over the park and missed the opportunity to win the match by missing a place kick.
We must learn to maximise our opportunities and sharpen our skills instead of justifying unintelligent rugby by saying we play it ‘our way’.
levelheaded
Guest
Thanks Nick, very interesting. I'm not going to be popular, but I believe we have the wrong Coach. Why? Well, I see this from many levels - I don't think Cheika has the right value proposition to be in such a senior role, temper, stretching the truth, bully style, negative attitude towards authority - except for his, one dimensional structure in play. Let's face it he is coaching the most talented team in Australian Rugby with the best available resources at his fingertips - surely success should eventuate and yes many others tried, but only he has in NSW, hat off. I just don't like to see where our game may head with this guys nature - abusing referees, asking for heads of administrators, threatening bully tactics all lead to disaster. Sorry to the old school who think this is the way to lead - my firm opinion is this is great for short term success and long term harm - why are so many players, staff leaving the Tahs and Australian Rugby if he is the Messiah?
bennalong
Guest
Daz I watched the game too and I KNOW the 'saders targeted Skelton.They also targeted Hooper and he was taken out off the ball numerous times. Skelton was smashed in the rucks too
chucked
Guest
Rouaan..pardon my asking...where was the Legal physical rattling.? 2 and 4 week suspension for 1st rattling McCaw hit from behind..McCaw stood his ground..as he is allowed to..Skelton did the moving off line Read hit with a shoulder on ground...tv directors refused to show the Incident..twice stopping a second before the second shoulder from the thug. legal physical rattling...bring it on..but turn it up mate for these ones were in no sense legal...refs stuffed up literally three times.
James in NZ
Guest
When I say "I actually don’t mind that sort of play", I mean it adds to the drama. But there's a fine line and those specific incidents I mentioned above can't be defended. I mean I like the enforcer type big hits, I mean who doesn't like them. Providing its not too dirty, when the other player is prone or is looking away, or after the whistle has blown etc.
James in NZ
Guest
I've never seen Cheika play at Randwick rugby club, but I've read on these forums from Australian commentators that he was dirty player, you'd probably prefer aggressive. Then add all the anecdotes of smashed windows, a door in Ireland, the golf club wielding team speeches and talking to officials mid game in both the NH and SH while playing dumb, along with defending the tip tackle over the weekend and witnessing the many no arms tackles flying around in Sydney these days, and yes I have started to form an option on the guy, his style and temperament. Many Tah fans have admitted the boys are playing angry. I don't mind a bit of the biff, its not tiddy winks and all that and yes we have the Ma'a no arms missile flying around and the O'Driscoll incident or the Thorn/Smit tent peg. I actually don't mind that sort of play, I love the Bakkies Botha, Jerry Collins, B.Thorn type of enforcer except when they're dangerously clearing rucks in the back of peoples heads like a battering ram. My statement was a air of caution to Mr Cheika's international rugby apprenticeship, remember the RWC is in the NH. And he needs to learn the lesson now that he's gambling with this style of play he's cultivating, great if it comes off, but disaster if the Wallabies get the dreaded RC in a pool of death knock out game. The aggression needs to be tempered. If the AB's and Boks play B teams again this RC, then Cheika is still being denied the reality of top class international rugby until the biggest show in town. I don't count the autumn tests because, we're going to sleep, when the NH is just waking up. I could be wrong and everything works out, but that RC Wales got in the last Semi, killed them though. I like what Cheika brings to the rugby scene, he's certainly colorful, but I don't like his chip on the shoulder whines, his playing dumb when he gets caught out or defending thuggery. I'm not claiming we're angels either believe me. But hey I'm just a fly on the wall, just sharing what I see, if you guys take the big prizes(super title and RC looking good and who knows maybe the big, big one), it shows what I know.
Rugby.ftw
Guest
But what % is that of our sport playing males compared to NZ, there's the difference. Also the quality of the players, even the good players coming through the traditional playing rugby schools are usually poached by NRL in qld and nsw. not to mention the rest of the country playing and being obsessed with AFL. One of the most competitive sport markets in the world and rugby is low on the pecking order
Harry Jones
Expert
A textbook case of "possession you'd rather not have" was the Rebels-Stormers match last weekend. Near the end of the first half, the Rebels kept the ball in hand for several minutes at great risk. None of the moves they were making were likely to set anyone free; in fact, they were getting smashed back in the tackle. And then an interception. So, the Stormers had the ball for 3 seconds. 7 points. The role of territory and gainline success % is paramount. Aussie teams--to me--have typically been smarter than the average top tier teams. Keeping possession in your own 22 lost the Boks the QF 2011. The smarter team that day was OZ.
Magic Sponge
Guest
how after Simmons and carter and Horwills form could you say the locks pick themselves. They were dreadful and Skelton had just help win the tahs a title. Poor read from an expert
jeznez
Roar Guru
It's been mentioned elsewhere but the timing of the support runners to make the clean out was really strong and has addressed a lot of the ruck speed issues. They've needed to do something and this is a really simple variation but it started to pay some dividends on the weekend.
Rouaan
Guest
I really don't see the reason for all the hype about Latu and Skelton..Yes, there were 2 incidents where Skelton overstep and the one of Latu, but they were penalized and sanctioned for it. Past tense. My issue is the fact that the Tahs really took it to the Saders physically and they struggled, there were many legal dominating hits which gave the Saders backline the fumbles. We all saw it, so let's all acknowledge it. The Tahs are better than the Saders. Regarding the Wallabies, the jury is still out about their development as a team. The ABs are definitely further on their developmental curve and the WBs will still struggle to beat them. For that, Cheika and the players need TIME. The hype about the World Cup this year will be nice and exiting, but the reality is that the WBs need a year or two with Cheika, before they will start threatening the ABs. It is however enjoyable to see kiwis rattled by legal physicality.
ohtani's jacket
Guest
Australian fans lack a pair of eyes and can't see their own indiscretions but it doesn't matter because they lose all the time and therefore they're the victims.
RobC
Roar Guru
Thanks for the article Nick. I think what we saw in EOY14, is just what Cheika cobbled together whilst on the A380 throne on the way from Sydney to the home nations. Im expecting he's more prepared this year. I hope by then Lelo and Co have spent significant time getting their kicks right. Otherwise its game over at pool stage for us.
The Sheriff
Guest
NZ fans don't mind if their hero lies off-side in the rucks, their forwards scragg opposition players near the ruck but they hate it when the opposition belts them in hard tackles or clean-out and dumps them in tackles.
RobC
Roar Guru
You nailed it jez. I mentioned the same issue last week. The new variation has addressed this predictability. Also I think they have increased their aggro level, both in terms of hitup ruck intensity, and tackle. It was great to watch. Cycle time improved quite a bit from previous weeks, but still not good enough Most importantly, it only lasted 55'. Also not good enough, not to mention the soft try in the first few minutes
The Sheriff
Guest
Great question I have asked myself over the years.
Nick Turnbull
Roar Guru
WB, I'm not saying the Wallabies should not be abrasive, they should be. We just need to improve our place kicking and ensure we come away from scoring positions with points. At 3 points a go, the drop is a handy way of keeping the boats ticking over if faced with good defence. No pressure like scoreboard pressure! Cheers for the post.
Nick Turnbull
Roar Guru
Cheers Sheek.
Nick Turnbull
Roar Guru
Thanks Harry, My brother is currently being coached by former Springbok Andre Snyman and aware he his a congruent policy of coming away with points and keeping your opponent pinned down.
flying hori
Guest
Cheap shots dont make you a dominant physical player, super rugby and international rugby are miles apart, so lets see how the wallabies go in the RC and the Bled. lets see who is tough both physically and mentally!
Taylorman
Guest
It's obvious Cheikas getting desperate and through Skelton is pushing the envelope. Without a doubt Skelton has been under instruction by Cheika to smash. Will be watching how Skelton handles this new found fame having likely concussed three Saders players from the one game. I think he'll feel ashamed for the way he had acted. Following this concussion news no way the penalties should be reduced. Skelton will be a mess. I would hope.