It’s a wonder Wallaby coach Michael Cheika’s hair isn’t snow white, or torn out by the roots watching his troops for 80 minutes.
The 34-9 scoreline at Mendoza against the Pumas suggests it was a walk in the park for the Wallabies.
No way. The Pumas were in the hunt until the last 15 minutes with the scoreline 19-9.
But let’s concentrate on the four magic moments at Mendoza that strongly suggest the men in gold are very capable of regaining the Bledisloe for the first time since 2002, taking out the Rugby Championship last won in 2011, and a record third Rugby World Cup last held aloft in 1999.
Big call?
Not on your life, especially if the Wallabies turn up the heat they are so capable of doing, minimise the crap, and consistently land goals.
In order, Israel Folau is the key.
How many international fullbacks would take a high kick, and decide to run – Folau does it just about every time.
He set up Joe Tomane’s 16th minute try by heading left for 50 metres, linking with Bernard Foley who timed his pass to perfection, giving Tomane a clear run to the line,
Magnificent rugby with nothing on until Folau made it happen.
Like many rugby fans who remember only too well what a liability Dean Mumm was to the Waratahs in 2011 and 2012, and couldn’t understand how on earth he made the Wallaby squad on his return from Exeter, Mumm stood up to be counted immediately he came off the bench at Mendoza.
His crushing 30-metre run down the right hand touch ended in a five-pointer at a critical time, even though it was off a forward pass from Michael Hooper.
The last two magnificent moments were courtesy of Kurtley Beale off the bench at the death.
He slipped a pass under pressure to Foley, who overhead passed to Tevita Kuridrani, who crashed over.
Two minutes later, Folau made a typical midfield bust, unloaded to a perfectly-positioned Beale who slipped his pass that sent Adam Ashley-Cooper on his way to the white line.
Four cracking tries that took about three minutes all up to dot down.
It’s the other 77 minutes that could see permanent damage to Michael Cheika’s hairline.
The two biggest problems are senseless penalties given away, especially in the opposition quarter, undoing all the hard work getting there.
Lack of discipline will cost the Wallabies dearly, not only in points with every likely opponent boasting 80% or better kickers, but loss of territory as well.
And the Wallaby goal-kicking is a major problem.
In the two games against the Boks and Pumas, Quade Cooper, Bernard Foley, and Matt Giteau landed nine out of 16 attempts.
Foley’s five out of nine at Mendoza isn’t acceptable. It wasn’t the misses so much as Foley’s ball-striking that was way off centre.
Next up the All Blacks on Saturday week at ANZ to decide the Rugby Championship, and the first leg of the two-game Bledisloe series.
Vital questions only Cheika can answer:
What to do with the continual concussions Matt Toomua is suffering?
Admittedly it’s 13 days between Mendoza and ANZ, but Toomua has become a physical liability to himself as well as his team.
Quade Cooper’s not the answer after his ordinary game taking Toomua’s place in the eighth minute, and even more telling when a head high late tackle on Nicolas Sanchez earned Cooper a yellow card with the Wallabies only leading 19-9 at the 65th minute.
Cooper was lucky it wasn’t red. it was so blatant. Raising his arms above his head virtually saying “it wasn’t me sir” fooled no-one except himself.
Giteau’s injured, but should be in the mix in 13 days time. but it’s Kurtley Beale for mine for the 12 jersey. The Wallabies need the two x-factors on duty together – Beale and Folau.
Will Cheika play David Pocock and Michael Hooper in the ANZ starting lineup?
That’s a must, but where?
Pocock, my man-of-the-match at Mendoza with the No 7 jersey, Hooper No 6, and either Wycliff Palu, Ben McCalman, Scott Higginbotham, or Dean Mumm at No 8.
Scott Sio and Sekope Kepu have put their hands up to join skipper Stephen Moore in the Wallaby front row.
James Slipper and Greg Holmes were outplayed at Mendoza, but Sio and Kepu were outstanding when they came off the bench.
Another Cheika problem is halfback with Will Genia injured. If Nick Phipps isn’t barking at the referee, he’s barking at his supports with the ball at his feet, Far less chatter and more concentration on the job at hand will give his supports seconds of extra space.
Nic White is there on sufferance with Genia injured, and Nic Stirzaker not picked.
My potential Wallaby squad for ANZ:
(1) Scott Sio
(2) Stephen Moore (c)
(3) Sekope Kepu
(4) Will Skelton
(5) Rob Simmons
(6) Michael Hooper
(7) David Pocock
(8) Wycliff Palu
(9) Nick Phipps
(10) Matt Giteau
(11) Joe Tomane
(12) Kurtley Beale
(13) Tevita Kuridrani
(14) Adam Ashley-Cooper
(15) Israel Folau
(16) Tatafu Polota-Nau
(17) James Slipper
(18) Greg Holmes
(19) Dean Mumm
(20) Scott Fardy
(21) Nic White
(22) Bernard Foley
(23) Samu Kerevi
Gotyerblinkerson
Guest
"How many international fullbacks would take a high kick, and decide to run" Ben Smith.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Done pretty well being 80% subpar. Great win rates against every team barring the All Blacks who have been number 1 since before he debuted.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
No they aren't. Defence - inferior Kicking - inferior Errors - inferior Cooper played exceptionally in 2013. That was also the last time he played more than half a season. Foley may be the best option at 10. But he's not superior in all areas of stats.
Terry Kidd
Guest
QC has not been in form since 2011 and Foley's stats in all areas mentioned by Fox are better than QC's .... so why does QC become the first choice 10?
Morty
Guest
Spot on.
Karl Knuth
Roar Pro
I think we'll be back to week one. Sio, Moore, Holmes Skelton, Simmons Fardy, Pocock, Higginbotham Phipps, Cooper Giteau, Kurindrani Tomane, Folau, AAC Slipper, Hanson, Kepu Mumm/Horwill, Hooper/McMahon Beale, LLF, White Assuming Toomua is out.
rl
Guest
Hi Shu, I like your assessment, my thoughts on your points (FWIW) 1. agree. Dumb dumb play 2. I think it is worth persisting with him, depending on the balance of the rest of the pack (he pulled off a couple of crushing tackles late in the match despite being fatigued, he's getting there) 3. Cooper's ill discipline can't be overlooked - dumb play from a vastly experienced player that could have cost us the match. He has earned some time in purgatory 4. Agree - some will choke on their weeties when I make this comparison, but I see Simmons play around the park as being similar to Eales, who didn't exactly destroy people with his physicality. But as you say, its about 'accuracy', which is obviously where Eales leaves Simmo for dead 5. absolutely! 6. agree 7. tried to say that earlier above, but not as well as you And of course, agree with good effort by the W's. Bring on the ABs.
rl
Guest
Neither would have Matt Dunning, but I wasn't suggesting he should have been there either...
bennalong
Guest
Etzebeth would be my form lock but how often do second rowers make runs of significance? Brodie Retallick come to mind? Not often. Skelton gets bagged because he looks buggered. But that is his body habitus and he does get through plenty of work and play 80. He's young and has enormous potential.
Shungmao
Guest
Few thoughts: 1. If you listen to the ref, Cooper got the yellow card based on the number of high tackles so far in the game, David, to say it could be a red is just stupid and only adds fuel to how soft the refs are and how ridiculously over the top suspensions are getting from SANZAR for minor offences. But yes Cooper had a brain fart and it was selfish, stupid and unacceptable 2. For the work he does is it really worth having Skelton out there??? We are not getting numbers to the breakdown, a more mobile lock would certainly assist this. On Skelton, if you're going to dish on Cooper surely Skelton must be in the firing line x 10! The 2 penalties in the attacking zone were just stupid, he comes in from the side every second ruck and refs will start to ping him for it. 3. Foleys kicking was poor, but his no frills game management was the best of anyone so far, however I would like to see a cooper- toomua combo. 4. I just don't think Simmons is that bad, he has high work rate, great in line outs but yes his clean out accuracy needs work. 5. Phipps is as tough as nails but seriously shut the F@&k up , you see it already the ref's basically ignore him and he clearly is an agitation. 6. Before we call sio, TPN and Kepu the new saviours just remember the Argies have their second rate front row on and there back five were clearly running on empty. Let's not chuck the baby out with the bath water here. 7. Yes, Kurtley was involved in 2 tries, but he should be makeing those passes as should any player 1st XV level up. Can we take a deep breath and see it for what it was which good positioning with the right timed pass. Well done Wallabies, good win, now let's turn our attention to the AIG's.
Brian USA
Guest
Fox: I agree. It seems a lot of the hate for QC comes from his (former) character flaws. He has really improved as a player since his early days, and minimized his mistakes. That being said, people seem to put his performances under a microscope much more than they do any other player. Foley makes just as many errors as Cooper; but he isn't as flashy so they get glossed over. The two 10's play very different styles. Cooper seems to direct the attack a lot more, whereas Foley tends to play much wider, allowing his 12 to be the first receiver on many occasions. When Cooper is on form he is a much better 10 than Foley. At the moment, he is not on form, so there isn't much between the two. I will say this, neither Cooper or Foley had the benefit of a 12 who straightens the line in either game. Toomua came on for Cooper and did this beautifully in the Boks game, and for the 8-10 minutes he was on in the Argentina game. But for the majority of both games, each 10 has had to play with someone outside him who does not straighten. I'd like to see Lealiifano start this game at 12 outside Cooper. CLL can kick at goal, straighten the attack, and hold his own defensively. Giteau (if healthy) to come on for QC or CLL late in the game.
Brian USA
Guest
Most sound analysis I have seen regarding Cooper yet. He wasn't brilliant when he came on at 12, but when he isn't brilliant, he is "terrible" and "should be dropped from the squad" if you ask people on here. While he wasn't great, he was servicable. Hasn't played 12 in how many years? I don't think he was any worse than Foley. Neither were good, neither were bad. They were both just there...
Sir William Webb Ellis
Guest
How did David Lord ever become an "expert" on The Roar rugby columns? It is beyond comprehension. Forever the Michael Cheika lover...no matter what!
Sir William Webb Ellis
Guest
So David, one man could have stopped the Highlanders pasting your beloved Waratahs in the Super XV semifinal? Rubbish!!!!!! You must be on drugs David
Bfc
Guest
Michael Hooper at 6...must have been written by by Jon Stewart...or Rob Stich...
Cliff (Bishkek)
Guest
All NH and the other SH Teams will be praying that Cheika plays Beale at 12 - and then run through him!! Typical
BarryO
Guest
Yawn. You need a new writer.
Aidan Loveridge
Roar Pro
Im not a wallabies supporter in the slightest but Cooper is about 20% brilliant 80% sub par i just wouldnt feel safe i he was my teams 10 Foley hasnt impressed me hes certainly not as good as AB's and Springbok's top 10's are but from what ive seen the past few years hes a damn sight more reliable than Quade and is honestly the best option at this point. Also i dont think the two players are even remotely similiar and id never heard the dark skin criticism thats well out of order whoever said that heck the winning super rugby 10 is dark skinned so thats ridiculous
Aidan Loveridge
Roar Pro
Yes because im sure they intended to hurt both SA props so they had to put in an out of position prop in there and then ofc without a doubt there would be uncontested scrums. Mate thats bollocks if you watch the match the referee asks schalke and he agrees and the scrums were reasonably even dont get all conspiracy theorist on us
Aidan Loveridge
Roar Pro
What about Skelton getting a clout for trying to choke someone? Or even Folau for taking a guys legs out in the air? If you had your way it would just be a big brawl lets not be ridiculous here you smack a guy in the face you get what you deserve not the other way round. I like hooper but he messed up like that prop that smacked Jannie Du Plessis in super no matter what he did the punch is still the most serious foul play.