The NSW Waratahs and Brumbies were outclassed in their respective Super Rugby matches against the Highlanders and Hurricanes respectively. Here are five lessons the Wallabies can learn from the defeats.
1. The Wallabies need greater tactical awareness and to be better at adjusting to what the opponents are doing
Watching NSW unable to respond to Otago’s tactics of pinning them in their left corner was revealing. In part it was because of the lack of capacity (a left-footed kicker or a right-footed one with a big boot).
But the inability to counter this and other aspects of Otago’s play suggested either a lack of awareness on the field, or a lack of communication from the coaches, or not having prepared ways to respond when Plan A didn’t work. It reminded me of watching the Robbie Deans-coached Wallabies who always seemed bereft when the All Blacks did something different.
2. Australia cannot afford to play Will Skelton and Wycliff Palu at the same time
Both are good players, even if injuries have made Palu much less consistent than in the past and Skelton still has a bit to learn.
But having only one and a half jumpers in a lineout – a half because Jacques Potgeiter was used much less frequently in the semi-final (as was the case for most of this year) – made it easy for an average lineout like Otago’s to steal NSW’s ball and put lots of pressure on the ball they did win.
I think Skelton will be (and, on form, should be) one of the second-rowers. That suggests to me that Scott Higginbotham and Scott Fardy should be the starting numbers eight and six for Australia as both are good lineout options, as well as doing the other aspects of their roles well.
3. Drew Mitchell’s chances of a recall to the Australian team continue to increase
His form in France suggests he still has the skills and most of the speed needed. Importantly, he is competent under the high ball and can kick well, with his left foot.
Joe Tomane has improved considerably this year. He is now safe under the high ball. But his unwillingness to kick for touch when it was needed to relieve pressure in the ACT’s match against Wellington will be a black mark against him.
It’s not necessary for wingers to be able to kick well, or even at all, although the All Blacks have worked hard to give Julian Savea the option to kick for distance that he previously lacked.
But Australia can’t afford to play a fullback who is unwilling to kick under pressure and two wingers who are similarly lacking in either skill or confidence.
4. Australia needs a second playmaker
The ACT survived Matt Toomua’s absence by using Robbie Coleman and Jesse Mogg to complement Christian Lealiifano. But their attack improved when Toomua returned.
Similarly, NSW sorely missed a second playmaker when Kurtley Beale was injured because none of the replacements could distribute well, and Israel Folau still lacks the skills and judgement required. Twice against Otago he passed to players who were under much greater pressure than he was; it looked like he was distributing the ball for the sake of doing so, not because it was advantageous.
That doesn’t mean that Australia needs to play a second five-eighth. If we had a fullback, or even a winger with a licence to roam, who had those skills then it would be possible to play two big centres, say Tevita Kuridrani and Folau.
But we don’t. Folau is not yet, and likely never will be, a good distributor. If James O’Connor was not injured and in form then he would be a good choice on the right wing. (Note he can also catch reasonably and has a decent boot on him, two other assets highlighted above.)
5. Pressure at the breakdown is critical, both to slow the opponent’s ball and to ensure quick ball of one’s own.
NSW were unable to generate much pressure, partly because their best pilferer is Adam Ashley-Cooper, and partly because of inaccuracy.
That suggests to me that David Pocock should play number seven. He continues to win a mountain of turnovers and penalties, along with Fardy. But even their combined prowess was insufficient against Wellington, so this will need to be a focus of Australia’s training. NSW’s problems suggest to me that Michael Cheika needs some specialist assistance here.
cs
Roar Guru
Can't fault the logic of all that, try as I did. Cannot imagine Drew Mitchell getting a start, but the wider point taken. Don't we have any other wing possibilities with a left foot kick in what seems like a conga line of contenders?
Harry Jones
Expert
Points 2, 3, and 5 = solid Re 4: read PeterK's excellent first attempt at a +/- system. I'm sure he'll refine it with tactical kicking stats as those become available, but even just working w ball-in-hand attack/defend stats, the 2nd playmaker doctrine has some issues
pick & go..!!
Guest
Point 2.. Assuming this is based on the Waratahs & Highlanders game. if you had watched the game, the Players who you should of listed as "Australia cannot afford to play" at the same time are Foley & Phipps both had their worst games of the season.
pick & go..!!
Guest
Fardy really?
Rouaan
Guest
I feel for the Brumbies, because they had to cross the Indian Ocean twice in a week and in the fist halve of the semi one could see they have no energy in defense. However, a team full of Wallabies and the coaching team, should have came up with some sort of tactics to stay in the game longer and to compete for longer. Larkham was naïve to think the Newlands approach will work again. Hopefully the two semi losses will force Cheika and Larkham to become more tactically astute going forward. They should sit back, consult with ex wallaby captains and coaches for a week or so and then start CLEAR conversations with the squad. One bright light so far...I can't remember a year from the last 7-8 where the Wallabies have so few notable injuries this time of the year. Genia and Cooper should be starting in my view as they are more experienced, provide threats in attack, have better kicking games and I am certain higher levels of desire to impress, than Phipps and Foley. I want Fardy at 6, Higgers at 8 and Pocock at 7 (Palu can only play for 35 mins and Hooper is no threat in the contact zone).
Hoy
Roar Guru
Good points raised all of them. Watch these points be glossed over... "It doesn't matter... Folau is great on attack... It doesn't matter, Hooper can run for 150 metres a game... It doesn't matter, AAC makes ground, and doesn't need to pass... It doesn't matter, Palu/Skelton do the hard work in tight..." And so it goes. I think we are quckly becoming really dumb at rugby in Aus. I don't know why... perhaps it is because we have coaches like Graham and Foley who bugger up young players futures... I honestly don't know, but I wish we got back to enterprising, smart play, grounded well done basics.
Not Bothered
Guest
Im not sure the semi finals showed us that Poey should be selected considering he was playing in a team that was smashed by 20 points. NSW won a higher % of their rucks than the ACT. How many running metres did the Brumbies pack make? The entire starting pack made 13 more metres than A.Savea by himself.
Not Bothered
Guest
JOC shouldnt be selected and if they select him as a distributer from the wing I will be truely amazed and slightly amused. They will use a 2nd 5/8 and it will be Giteau, Lealiifano, Beale and Toomua because Australia has heaps of them. At centre it will be Kuridrani and Kerevi. The wings will be intetesting. Folau will be the fullback.
niwdEyaJ
Roar Guru
#5 is exactly why we should be taking Smith and Pocock to the RWC...
connor33
Guest
Top article.
Jamieson Murphy
Roar Guru
With what was mentioned in mind, what are JOC chances of getting picked for the Wallabies?
Hello
Roar Rookie
We do not have a lot of kicking wingers ATM.
Atawhai Drive
Roar Guru
The Highlanders franchise region takes in the Otago, Southland and North Otago provinces. New Zealand's Super Rugby franchises dropped the geographical component of their names after the 1999 season.
Ralph
Guest
All good points By The Crowd. I especially thought that if the Waratahs could have slowed the breakdown more their game plan might have worked better.
Ralph
Guest
Don't let Southland hear you saying that .. :)
Fin
Roar Rookie
If Horne plays he'll probably defend in the mid field. So I guess the question is can Cooper or Foley defend on the right wing.
Red Kev
Roar Guru
Both Horne and Tomane are non-kicking wingers, they could easily play on their less-favoured wing without too much hassle. I’d expect AAC to be used as a utility backing up 11/13/14/15 anyway.
Fin
Roar Rookie
At the moment the three wingers most likely to be picked seem to be Horne Tomane and Mitchell who all play on the left wing. Can any of these guys play on the right side or do we need to Speight or JOC or even AAC?
Paul
Guest
I wouldn't want to rely on JOC clearance kicks......
Blades
Guest
I think it's a boost for JOC's chances too. I'm hoping Cheika can get more out of him than Graham did.