Australian rugby stakeholders need to let go of the past and look to the now. I say this because over the past fifteen or so years I have come across mostly frustrated and confused supporters.
It all stems from the 1990s. The 90s were a decade that saw hip-hop rise from glimpses of dominance in the 80s, which in turn rose from relative obscurity in the 70s – much like the Wallabies as it were.
Our success in the 1990s was a blessing and a curse. We relished in Wallaby success and expected it to simply continue. Too many to this day still think that the blueprint for success is to look back to this age or perhaps in the case of some to look back to the Ella era.
This is our problem because coaches and administrators are aware of how easy it is to lose the battle of public opinion. I believe they are being held back by the stakeholders of rugby. I believe crucial decisions are being made based on the desire to keep the status quo.
Unfortunately rugby has evolved and moved forward around the world. In Australia we are still living in the past.
We can start with the fact that Nemani Nadolo is arguably one of the best wingers in the world struggled to make it as a rugby player in Australia. This is staggering and a perfect example of how things in this country have become questionable to say the least.
We need to be asking serious questions of our internal player development and recruitment judgement when a player with such an obvious propensity to be a match winner is lost to us only to thrive overseas.
I believe this ‘Nadolo factor’ is a symptom of our weakness. we see a massive player and immediately start to pick fault with them. Unless they are perfect, they are too risky.
Rubbish.
This symptom was apparent this time last year when too many fans were astounded that 140-kilogram giant Will Skelton was being given a fast track to the Wallabies. It continues with too many fans stating that Taqele Naiyaravoro will be a liability at Test level or that Samu Kerevi lacks the skills for an inside centre.
These opinions are all intertwined with the fact that we are not moving forward with the game.
Until we get with the program and realise that to be competitive we need some sheer size and brawn in the Wallaby set up we will continue to be mediocre.
If we had this attitude a few years ago, we would be looking at fielding a wing combination of Nadolo and Naiyarovoro at the Rugby World Cup.
Why wouldn’t we want this?
In Will Skelton, it was obvious two years ago that we needed him at Test level. It has taken most rugby pundits a ridiculous amount of nit-picking at his perceived weaknesses to settle on the fact that a 6ft 8in behemoth with a passing game is someone you can not dismiss as anything but a once in a life time player.
With the emergence of Kerevi over the past 18 months, I hope we can finally put to bed the now ancient notion that a second ball player at 12 is the way forward. Just ask every other major playing Test side if they still believe that a second fly half is the way to go?
I think you’ll find they all did away with this notion years ago.
We should accept that with size and brawn comes some weaknesses. Players with this size may fatigue a bit easier than smaller players and they may not have all the skills of their predecessors.
But when a try-line beckons or a big tackle is needed on a gargantuan opposition player, sometimes these types of players are worth their weight in gold. They are the modern day match winners as once the likes of Mark Ella were. At the very least these type of players are integral to any Test sides make up and their attributes far out-weigh their weaknesses.
It is time Australian fans came to realise that size does matter. I am hoping we come to realise this quick smart and before it is once again too late. It is 2015 and there is a Rugby World Cup around the corner.
I would like to end by paraphrasing the findings of an IRB study after the last World Cup. By studying the player sizes of each World Cup game to date, they found that the winning side invariably has the largest forwards and the tallest backs.
Is that any real surprise?.
Bfc
Guest
Eh...? There was this bloke named John Eales (OK...not 140kgs) who could scrummage, ruck, run, pass...and kick ridiculous goals. He was a 'once in a lifetime' player... Skelton is getting better though...
Kirky
Roar Rookie
Nothing is going to save the Wallabies mate, there's doubt they'll even get out of the qualifying section as we've been told time and time again, that hose "dreaded Aussies are in, the pool of death"!.God I really feel for those poor old yellow and greens!
Kirky
Roar Rookie
They're all foreigners, what with all the foreigners in the scrum, one could ask if any "true blues " whatsoever are in the team proper!
Muzzo
Guest
Honestly, I really can't see the likes of Auckland born Will Skelton, being an asset, against the top teams in the test arena.
Sam
Guest
Kerevi's defence is good when the attacking player is running straight at him. He lacks lateral movement in defence and gets caught over committing and not sliding (doesn't even get close enough to attempt the tackle). It leaves a big gap between him and the outside centre (especially when the 15 isn't in the line). It actually led to a couple of tries on the weekend against the chiefs.
The Sheriff
Guest
I wondered about that. I have not seen him make a tackle. He can sure break through the defence and made Savaea look s goose with a step close to the line a few weeks ago. What are his tackle stats?
Buk
Guest
Missing the days when Australia used to go on tours and play provincial teams. Guys like Kerevi etc. could be groomed for future test duty, learning from the incumbents, and the various patterns of play
Buk
Guest
Agree with you Sean. For a 20 yard run to the line with ball in hand, I'd pick Naiyarovoro tomorrow. And I agree with the basic premise of the article, that size really does matter. But for defending against an All Blacks or Springboks attack, from some of his defence work I have seen, he needs a fair bit of practice and coaching. Stick him in a test match against a minnow country - yes. Against one of the big guns - not right now, highly likely to expose defensive shortcomings
Buk
Guest
Good points Eagle Jack. I think we have all seen players who in their early days at junior level had so much talent that they did not have to do a lot of training to be outstanding, but then come to the crunch of having to either put in the hard yards, or not, to progress.
Buk
Guest
I am a Reds fan but even I am honest enough to admit that the Christchurch earthquake gave us a lucky break in 2011; without it, the Super final could well have been in Christchurch, and another Crusaders title.
DanFan
Guest
NZ already has its own Fijian wingers (Osborne and Naholo). Waisake Noholo has been playing rugby in NZ for many years. He first played ITM cup as an 18 year old for Wanganui while still at school. At 24, he has finally developed into a player with prospects. I use him as an example of how long it can take to make an impact in NZ. Nadolo may have been a similar case as it seems he is now showing his potential. Whether he would have survived a similar time frame in NZ is moot. NZ tried to secure the services of another Fijian, Rupeni Caucaunibuca, but were thwarted, which was a shame as he never reached is full potential. I often wonder how his career would have gone if he had been able to wear black.
Taylorman
Guest
Yes take Savea. He runs over people as well. But he also does a lot else, defends strongly, had a boot, a chip, and can take the hig ball. tN shows little of everything else, meaning he's largely one dimensional, and at test level, that isn't enough. Cheika will probably try him, but I welcome him in any test versus the ABs. He may prove himself yet, but it's simply another case, like Skelton of assuming sxv form replicates to test level.
jeznez
Roar Guru
With you RM. my RWC wingers would be Mitchell and JOC. I'm with the posters above on the Kerevi/Kuridrani pairing but want differ style players around them.
jeznez
Roar Guru
Birdy, we are a nation of immigrants, would be great if we were just a bunch of guys born here but it is reflective of the nation to have many who have moved here. Most have come through the Aussie systems, is more the Mike Harris type player that I worry about. If he was good enough he would have been an All Black, he is only here because he wasn't good enough to make a different team. He seems a good bloke and is a good Super Rugby player but our Wallaby selection policy went wrong there.
jeznez
Roar Guru
You are right about resting players in P.E. But for us Ozzies the important thing is we played a full strength ABs side and won a trophy. I'm just remembering that midfield burst to the try line by Radike - legend!
jeznez
Roar Guru
Time zones TH. It is a professional game and the TV pays for most of it. Matches need to shown in prime time not the wee small hours if revenue is to be maximised. The benefit of playing Saffa teams cannot be underestimated but it does kill the broadcasters when they look at us in Oceania.
cookie
Roar Guru
Probably some truth in that tinfoil.. Why wouldn't they dump SA... Well then all the islanders would just stay in their respective country rather than play for NZ.. Until we get rid of the ridiculous Foxtel stranglehold on rugby in Australia .. the support base will continue to dwindle. Please can we get super rugby on Free to air???? As for ethnicity or origin.. i couldn't care less as long as they genuinely want to play for the chosen country and are committed to that country and cause rather than treating it as a means to ends.. I doubt any of the current wallabies are doing that either..
jeznez
Roar Guru
Thanks Dave. Always good to hear from those in the know.
Kirky
Roar Rookie
You couldn't have a backline like that, all but one are foreigners!
Kirky
Roar Rookie
The reverse is the case mate, things have not in any way at all improved with Checks, he single handedly is ruining the Waratahs by teaching them to be enforcers as when a rugby team gets to have three players banned for foul play, it's an indictment on the ability of the incumbent Coach's teaching methods and everything that goes with the position! As for the Australian team, all he's done is coach the side down to sixth in the International ladder with a (distinct possibility that if the team does badly at the World Cup, like not getting to qualify then that sixth place could very well be anywhere between six and eight or worse, so much for Coach Cheika.