The thing about writing with a few sorrow-drowning beers and the inevitable tag-alongs on board is that conclusions can be jumped to.
But this was very deliberately not written on Saturday night, which is a shame, because I’d have much rather have written about the two-tries-to-one narrow loss I now choose to remember than the thumping it really was at Eden Park.
Conclusions were jumped to, though, and if there is a common theme to those thousand-plus comments post-match on the site on Saturday night, and another thousand-plus in the 48 hours since, it’s that Quade Cooper should never wear Wallaby gold again.
Blaming Quade Cooper feels like a fad at times, but this fad has lasted longer than yo-yos, Rubik’s puzzle that wasn’t the cube, and the Macarena all put together. Suffice the say, Cooper wasn’t the sole reason the Wallabies still don’t hold the Bledisloe Cup. But don’t let the facts stop a headline or interrupt a good rant.
What I do know is that blaming Cooper alone is a popular but misguided position to take. Now that the fog has cleared from my liquid-infused post-mortem, I can only conclude that James Horwill, Scott Fardy, Michael Hooper, Israel Folau, and maybe Adam Ashley-Cooper emerged with reputations intact.
And I won’t for a minute lay any blame on Nigel Owens, either, as an email I received on Saturday night attempted to (if I may borrow one of Spiro’s lines).
The point in all the Bledisloe post-mortem is that when the All Blacks put the foot down straight after half-time, the Wallabies weren’t able to keep up.
And the Wallabies should’ve known this was coming. Going into the match, New Zealand had scored six of their ten tries in the Rugby Championship between the 40 and 60-minute marks. It couldn’t have been more obvious if Steve Hansen stood on the sideline and turned on the green light himself.
In the seven minutes before the penalty try was awarded, New Zealand won the early kicking duel to make an early net gain, made the advantage line with great regularity once inside the Australian 10-metre line, and almost always took ground off the Wallabies when in defence.
Whenever the ball entered the All Blacks half, they kicked it back. Half-breaks were capitalised on, offloads were popped and stuck on all but one or two occasions. They contested Australian scrum feeds more vigorously, and charged down box kicks. And then Nehe Milner-Skudder made a break and offloaded to Aaron Smith…
Until that point, the score was still only 13-6, yet the Wallabies already looked like they were chasing the game. That’s where the game got away from them, not when Cooper tried to wrap up the All Blacks No.9.
Cheika’s kept the players guessing about the Rugby World Cup squad, so here’s mine
If Michael Cheika took nothing else out of the Auckland loss on Saturday night, it’s that surely he could put a line through a few names on his Rugby World Cup ‘possibles’ list.
From that team that played in Auckland, I can’t see how Henry Speight’s and Kane Douglas’s names feature among the names read out in the Qantas hangar in Sydney on Friday. I have a thought around flyhalf, too, but more on that shortly.
And just on the timing of the announcement, why Friday? Why couldn’t it have waited until Monday, with a number of guys being sent back for the opening weekend of the NRC? I’d argue 10 or a dozen players in the current squad could do with another run.
Thirty-one names will be read out, and I’m expecting the breakdown to be five props, three hookers, four locks, six backrowers, three scrumhalves, five midfielders, including outside centre, and five back-three players. And while there might be some coin-flipping, I can’t see anyone coming in who we haven’t seen in 2015.
The four squad props are easy, and you can flip a coin between Tetera Faulkner and Toby Smith for the last spot. Likewise at hooker, Stephen Moore and Tatafu Polota-Nau are easy and James Hanson is the obvious next in line behind them.
Horwill, Dean Mumm, Will Skelton and Rob Simmons fill the lock spots. Sam Carter now won’t get an NRC chance to state his case, but I’d still rate him ahead of what Douglas showed in Auckland. And it’s a real shame we didn’t see what Rory Arnold could offer in the early games.
Michael Hooper, David Pocock and Fardy are the easy and obvious backrow picks, and Ben McCalman isn’t far behind. But I’m not sure there’s room for both of Scott Higginbotham and Wycliff Palu; it’s one or the other, and I suspect it might be Palu. Sean McMahon is the last spot smokey, covering both sides of the scrum.
I don’t know what the pecking order of scrumhalves is, but Nick Phipps, Nic White and Will Genia all have to go. Matt Giteau was serviceable in Sydney for 10 minutes, but wasn’t used in Auckland and that tells me that he’s not a serious option for cover at No.9.
And here’s a scary thought: with Nic Stirzaker recovering from shoulder surgery and not playing in the NRC, if one of these three go down mid-Rugby World Cup, who’s the next best Australian scrumhalf?
I’ve grouped the midfielders together, and Giteau, Matt Toomua, and Tevita Kuridrani are the easy picks. Like Palu and Higginbotham, I don’t see how you can now take both Bernard Foley and Quade Cooper, so pick whichever one takes your fancy.
Neither enthuse me much, currently, and neither has really grabbed the chance to become the first choice flyhalf. Cooper is a high risk/high reward prospect, while Foley is the polar opposite and therefore not really any better. So in the last spot, Christian Lealiifano can cover 10, 12, and goal-kicking.
Of the back three options, Rob Horne is perhaps unlucky as I go with Ashley-Cooper, Folau, Joe Tomane, Drew Mitchell and Kurtley Beale. I don’t think Speight has done enough, and nor do I think Taqele Naiyaravoro’s three World XV tries against Japan is a compelling enough argument.
But within those groupings, there are players who can cross boundaries. Fardy can play lock if required. Ashley-Cooper can play 13 – and might be worth trying, with Kuridrani a long way off, currently – while Beale can cover 10 and 12 at a pinch, as well as this hybrid wing/fullback spot he seems to be playing.
Even with the Bledisloe still missing, presumed dead, and even though his selections in Auckland left me scratching my head, three wins from four tells me that Cheika knows what he’s doing.
I just hope that becomes clear to the rest of us some time soon.
Mike
Guest
Given that we are repeatedly told that this RC didn't count because the ABs were concentrating on RWC, yep pretty much. ;)
Mike
Guest
Fair enough. That's why the y are number 20 in the world rankings. You just keep right on going sunshine... :D
Mike
Guest
Fair point
DiploMatt
Guest
Much like 3rd rate wanna be hacks lol
Connor33
Guest
James, both Hooper and AAC came through the Brumby system. They're both very consistent players and do so for the Tahs regularly. But my point was more one looks at Brumby players since the mid1990s. I should have qualified this. My bad.
Old Bugger
Guest
Yeah mate - one of the best rugby trivia questions ever....where did the ABs win a grand slam and what year, outside of the UK?? No doubt, that achievement plus making the final, certainly raised the initial beliefs of a lot of AB supporters and the NZ media because IMO, they weren't really rated when they departed. Well I didn't initially but gees, I warmed to them as the pool games, were played. Also remember, Rob Brooke was on the injured list when they flew out and never even played any pool matches. That's why I believed they left NZ without the favourites tag and a warm-up win against Canada but, they certainly came home, with the wind in their sails and a point to prove, the following year. And, that following year certainly got one gorilla, off NZ rugby's and the ABs collective shoulders.
DiploMatt
Guest
To quote your hero: zero F's given
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Yep.
ben
Guest
Brett...i was wondering when someone was going to mention kuridrani. In both nonus tries kuridrani gets completly lost and in effect caused big holes to be exploited. A quiet game all round but defensively very naieve. Even in the canes brumbies semi I noticed the same issues with him.
taylorman
Roar Guru
As far as I'm concerned the 1995 All Black team were the best team of any World cup, bar 1987. A grand slam thrashing of all 4 home unions in all the pace, style and grace you could ever want in a side. The best rugby played by a side throughout the tournament by a mile. Look at the tries against Ireland, Wales and England. Doesnt get better than that.
taylorman
Roar Guru
Oh for goodness sake Connor still harping on abouT the AAC incident. Look at all the flak kiwis got when we raised all the more serious incidents with Palu, Latu etc. we got hounded with accusations of Hollywood acting etc etc. Now you imagine if this was reversed. We are in Sydney, the Wallabies thrash the ABs 41-13 scoring thre and four man overlap tries in the process, one where Ritchie McCaw completely collars hooper around the head to concede a penalty try. Can you image the ground you and others would get if we mentioned the ref influencing a decision not to yellow card an incident where AAC clips Conrad on the air. Can you imagine the utter drivel that would come out if we kiwis even attempted to go there. Geez you need to move on. It's petty and as non eventful as it gets in the context of the match.
canadiankiwi
Guest
You need three tightheads- a tighthead can switch to loosehead in an emergency. A loosehead cannot switch to tighthead as easily. Who would be the third tighthead that has reasonable test experience?
Frontrow
Guest
Cheika got lucky against SA when they pulled half their pack including their front row - that's where the game changed not the Wallaby bench...In Argentina the Wallabies were hardly convincing against an Argentinian side that was well below full strength NZ played poorly in Sydney and Australia played their best game but the real NZ stepped up in Auckland and that is the real gap between the sides and before you say Pocock was not started as it turned out he was on the park for over 40 minute and he didn't have a massive impact - and Nonu didn't start an nor did Vito in Sydney and boy did they make difference When the AB's play like that forget it - they just have too much class I'm not totally convinced by Cheika yet - He should have Toomua at fly half and Giteau at 12 and Foley on the bench and Australia do not have a PROVEN world class wingers just good super wingers - Mitchel is good but not brilliant and the other two are still relative rookies at test level and Tomani has a weak defensive game so I'm not convinced by the Wallabies yet and their lineout is quite frankly - ordinary Picture this Wallaby fans - Folau gets injured in the group stages and is out of the WC... What then? Because he is the only consistent threat they have
Kirko
Guest
McMahon played well against the Barbars at Twickenham, but ineffective in the other games. CLL would be in my squad for Foley as a better kicker, crunching defender & more stability when needed. QC going to offer so much more spark than Foley & you don't need both of them. That being said, I could happily leave out Beale who is high on the favourites list for getting in the headlines for all the wrong reasons & leaving the squad embarrassed & short. I thought Tomane was very good against the Boks - disappointed he hasn't been given another run. Thought he was in great form the Brumbies too - well ahead of his peers. I keep hearing hype about Speight, but he certainly isn't living up to it.
Connor33
Guest
P --just wanted to follow up as there may have been some miscommunication. I actually agreed with everything you said in criticizing the ref. Jerry and ShaneD do provide sensible comments, but there are other NZers who, if you dare question a NZ win, they come back with crazy diatribe. And say things like: 'the ref got it right, so it has to be right.' No analysis, no factual inquiry. Just rubbish, among other things. I also agree with you that the abs would have won that game regardless of the ref.
RobC
Roar Guru
Thanks Brett. WBs need a KICKER! Cant think of anything else right now, except Reds coach decision, sorry.
Ted
Roar Rookie
Roarers are certainly excelling in the Selection analysis/ speculation . But not much relative consideration of what is needed in England in a RWC match against the group A opposition. Tactical kicking, line kicking, 90%goal kicking , long range goal kicking and drop goal kicking. No matter how much of it you do , what you do do must be spot on and all history shows this wins RWC knockout matches. Did I Say kicking? OZ plays Fiji and Uruguay first. We traditionally have often started rusty. Eng will already have played FIJi and we can see if Pacific Championship form over Samoa has travelled . But we also need to prepare our ( new) halves for the last two key games - ( they're all new as combo) - as well as piling on points. There are highly probable scenarios for points difference deciding BOTH the 2 top slots , and also possible no 1/ decided but 2nd/3rd is point difference shoot out. In first 2 games We have no choice but to play those who will have greatest chance to run in tries and kick all points. England plays Uraguay last and if this above scene unfolds , will know exactly what their target is. This they achieved to good effect against the odds in similar 6 nations final day this year when it looked Wales or Ireland would win . Last is powerful. So our first two games are really important . Sat night in Paris will confirm to us the England level. This last French game France dominated the scrums to many s surprise - this week England will start the A team scrum . We will see. With WBs scrum improvement we may even get parity part of game - but in last three matches v Eng we have given away directly in scrums more points than our losing margins. However just when we might right some or all of this deficit, England has finally put together a fine set of backs and is choosing to use them instead of just forward juggernaut. They all playedthis week collectively better than WBs did in each of our last two matches .( win and loss) I predict Sam Burgess will start against us - after early skepticism he could adjust to Union 12. Not only is he nearly 19 stone, he has immense presence on field with his fellow players - he is everywhere and already a leader even on debut. Here is calm, clearly has the confidence of fearing no one, and infects his team with this notion. He ran and passed well enough in attack making right choices. But his defense was AWESOME - twice absolutely mullered the French centre ( only15 stone) and one wondered if he would get up each time. A new passing genius outside him Slade made sure the extra quick outside 3 got the ball in space. . This then is the new enemy and our inside back set up is not large except Kurindrani who has not excelled in rush tackling of late. It's hard to see us having an offensive defense against this lot - containment will be issue. Particularly 10/12 channel (as bravely as Giteau and Toomua tackle) Wales are not firing yet and we play them at twickenham which I consider is an advantage Oz. we play them last , but it would be a pity to be playing for 2nd /3rd . It's winning Group that gives path to final , and 2nd is Boks then ABs before final . So against England I would start both Pocock and hooper to maintain parity / ascendancy in one forward area. I would start Simmons To secure line out. . We can't give them strategic line/Metres kicking option that they believe have 50/50 to win back Halves - I would start White - as long range kicking points are essential v England and they can't believe they have free run mid park. For England it is Genia to finish for me - can't have passing risk at end of game v England. Cooper Fly Toomua 12 Kurindrani AAC Mitchell Folau Reasoning - Toomua is the only one of our midfield selections that will contain Burgess early and stand up to his tackles so want to start him Giteau to sub either - if Cooper then Toomua to fly. You could start Toomua Giteau but if we want Giteaus attack sharp we can't wear him out tackling or being mullered by Burgess. I know GIS punches above weight in defense but we need hom fresh for attack. Finally give Beale more than 5 mins. Anywhere . In the big game I would bet on Beale to anticipate and pass better than most - he also tackled well at Eden. Let him run in 5 tries and 7 assists v Uraguay to get his timing spot on for the tighter defenses to come. I can't wait.!!
Chris
Guest
I read somewhere that Tony Woodcock made more tackles than Michael Hooper in the Sydney test. Is that true?
Old Bugger
Guest
He might go OK without the so-called dreaded NZ crowd......poor bugger's head certainly has no space, in Auckland.
Phantom
Roar Rookie
Surely what's best for Australia is the main objective