The experimentation is over, or at least it should be. With the Wallabies’ 47-10 win over the Unites States behind us, the Rugby World Cup is now front and centre.
So what did the win over the Eagles tell us?
Um…
For one thing, it was good to see the Wallabies capable of switching their focus, and altering their method of operation in the second half. And sure, they altered it because I’m sure they received the mother of all half-time sprays from Michael Cheika.
They switched their focus in the second half because they also switched their focus in the first half.
So while the paint-stripping message from the coach was being jackhammered into their heads, they’ll have realised that they rather severely went ‘off reservation’ after getting out to a 14-0 lead in the first half.
And hopefully that message was re-hammered at full-time. If the Wallabies allow themselves to drift in a Rugby World Cup game like they did between the 17th and 40th minutes, they’ll be on a plane home way sooner than they’d prefer.
Similarly, if they let their discipline slip as they threatened to in that same period, then they can expect the same fate. Though the news over the weekend about Leigh Halfpenny is not brilliant for Wales, it will bring some relief to Pool A combatants who operate close to the edge of legality.
One thing we did find out is that Mario Ledesma’s magical scrum whispering has worked on the Wallabies second-stringers – which is just a general term for this team; no doubt, some of them will be in the first choice team.
Australia’s scrum intent and domination was clear very early in the Eagles game, and was arguably the most complete and impressive part of the Wallabies’ performance.
This time last year, I was writing in numerous outlets about the back five’s inability to bind properly and offer even some semblance of support to the front row on the ‘set’ call. In 2015, on Ledesma’s watch, it’s very clear that the Wallabies forwards now operate as an eight, and we already know that the improvements have been noted by opposition coaches.
(Just an aside, what does this immediate improvement, with the hire of one man for a very limited timeframe, say about Wallabies forward and scrum coaches for as far back as you’d care to go?)
And that’s certainly good news. All too often in recent years, there has been major degradation of the Australian scrum once the bench forwards have come on, but that hasn’t really been the case in 2015. Come the closing stages of the crucial Rugby World Cup matches – not to mention the knockout stages, if good enough of course – that’s going to be massive.
While the scrum was good, it’s fair to say some players’ fortunes improved, while others didn’t help their cause.
Certainly, Tatafu Polota-Nau was very good, and it was really encouraging to see him going full tilt right up until being replaced with 20 or so minutes to go. It made sense that Stephen Moore sat this game out, but it was equally important that Polota-Nau played deep into this game.
Greg Holmes was a major factor in the Wallabies establishing the early scrum domination, and there’s no doubt in my mind that his presence in the squad has brought out the best in Sekope Kepu. Sean McMahon was outstanding in defence, and with his ball-carrying and versatility he will do his chances of winning a bench spot in the big games no harm at all.
I’ve been critical of Kane Douglas’ selection this season, and I was pleased to see him play 80 minutes. I’m prepared to remain open-minded, and I’d love for him to completely prove me wrong, but I’m not convinced he was as strong in this game as has been made out. He was good in the lineout, but only two carries for the game across 80 minutes? As I say, I’ll happily be proved wrong.
Rob Simmons will be better for the run, but looked off the pace in his comeback game. Wycliff Palu gave a nice pass inside for Nick Phipps’ try but not much after that. Phipps himself was very good until that point, but then like rest of the Australian backline, strayed from the script. Will Genia stuck to the plan in the second half, and provided some spark, and we saw yet another Wallabies’ uplift on the back of a scrumhalf change. Phipps himself has provided that spark in 2015, so it can’t just be all on Genia in this game.
Bernard Foley kicked with confidence and deliberate focus from the tee, nailing his first six conversions from all over the park. But he still played way too deep, for mine, and this is something I wrote about only a month ago. Why is it so, Bernard?
Henry Speight was disappointing at outside centre, and Joe Tomane not that much better on the wing.
So what now? Cheika said before the game that he had his plans in place, and that only injuries in this game in Chicago would divert him from that course. Certainly, seeing the likes of Moore, Kepu, David Pocock, Michael Hooper, Matt Toomua, Adam Ashley-Cooper, and Israel Folau on the sidelines would seem to confirm that perhaps he does now know what his first-choice team is.
But will we see that team against Fiji, or will we have to wait another 10 days, with the Uruguay game in between, until the England clash to finally find out who the first choice team comprises? Surely, if nothing else, the USA game proved the folly in underestimating what lower-ranked teams might be capable of pulling off on any given day.
I thought it was quite funny hearing Cheika have a little chuckle on Friday, saying “we do have a plan, contrary to popular belief”. But the thing is coach, with so much chopping and changing over the last few months, it’s been difficult for the average Wallabies follower to understand what the plan is.
And it’s great to know that there is a plan, and even that you know what the first XV is.
But is there any danger in letting us see it now?
daniel
Guest
Really.... you honestly think that Folley is standing where he perceives phipps will pass.. rather than phipps passing to where he sees Folley is standing? I haven't given Folley enough credit. I didn't realise he's clairvoyant. We should make him fullback. That would be useful paranormal skill to have out the back....
RobC
Roar Guru
Thanks Brett. Last year what was poor with EM scrum was the backups props. After Eng 2013, WB starting scrums making well throughout until Brisbane, the exception being Mendoza. The starters were v competitive, and had the advantage on NZ SA. Even Arg. Under Check 2014, they were just bad. Choosing Big Willy at lock etc. This year, is WB has scrummaging depth. But this match was against USA, which is not exactly Argentina. We will know for sure in a few weeks time. Basegame, game plan? I thought it was pretty clear by the Sydney match. Run the opponent off their feet, by moving the ball around. Keep them off the front foot by shifting the point of attack. Similar to the Reds game plan, only its working here.
Sofa Coach
Roar Rookie
Chris that's so boring. And our front row can't scrummage, right? Any other nonsense clichés you'd like to rehash? My recollection of Cooper's defensive efforts this season have included on the line try-savers. It's the locks I recall most leaking like seives. Why does this nonsense perpetuate?! The selection debate surrounding the wallabies 9-10 combination has almost nothing to do with any of the contenders' defensive abilities and everything to do with their abilities to manage a game.
Yogi
Guest
People forget that in the first three tests of the season (up until Auckland) the Australian lineout was reasonably strong despite only having 2 recognized jumpers. Simmons was the main reason for this. That is something very few second rowers in the world could do against quality sides. He is also a very good scrummager. If he is paired with Douglas the wallaby scrum will have no problems as all 4 props are up to it. He is not a heavy hitter but we need him there. I suspect he was under instructions not to call the ball to himself against USA.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
But Bennalong, Foley doesn't "make few mistakes". Statistics say he makes a lot in fact. Over the Super Rugby season he made 2 handling errors per game. Compare that with the "erratic" Cooper who made 0.5. Even in Auckland Cooper made 2 handling errors, a dropped high ball and a pass over the sideline. I understand you have quoted some highly esteemed players and pundits, but do their perceptions actually align with the facts? Or are they guilty of just trotting out general perceptions much like the dire Fox Sports commentary team? Foley's distribution surely is not "good" when discussed at international level. As I discussed with EJ, compare Foley's try assist returns against the USA to Cooper's vs teams like USA, Russia and Italy and it's rather low also. Despite enjoying 70% possession in the first half, the Wallabies were only 1 try up against the USA on the weekend. Can you say the 10 was putting the team in a good position to win the game? The floodgates opened later where a lot of long range tries were scored but we hardly capitalized on our complete forward dominance. Foley is a good running flyhalf, that is an excellent support player and plays a high tempo game well. He lacks the distribution, kicking and general direction to be considered an unquestioned international selection yet though.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
In this game he did after being out injured for most of the test season. But over the Super Rugby season he was working at a rate of 35 ruck involvements per 80 minutes so I think on the basis of a single game you could let it slide.
armchair sportsfan
Guest
Sweep the leg
John Rugby
Guest
Hard to learn much from a game like that, except perhaps negatives. I think you've right especially about Speight and Tomane, although their interplay for the length of the field try was exceptional. Biggest concern for me is tactical kicking, we must have the worst kick-chase game of a top tier nation, both tactically and functionally. That is unless our tactic is to always kick straight to the man and not chase too much, in which case i stand corrected.
dan in devon
Guest
here is a link to an article just to refresh your memory; Larkham acknowledges MacQuuen as being responsible for his conversion from a utility back to a fly half. enjoy. https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1309&dat=19991106&id=hfVOAAAAIBAJ&sjid=dhQEAAAAIBAJ&pg=1805,5662624&hl=en
niwdEyaJ
Roar Guru
Simple TWAS, you can always rely on him to pass the ball to someone else to perform the playmaker role, you can always rely on him to miss 2-3 tackles a game and you can always rely on him to reject penalties 40m + out...
Brian USA
Guest
World In Union: I would agree that someone needs to step up for both 9 & 10, none of Genia, Phipps, Cooper or Foley has up to this point. While Genia and Cooper haven't shown any better form than Phipps and Foley, they have not proven to be worse either. It seems to me that the mistakes of Genia and Cooper are scrutinized far more than that of Phipps and Foley, giving people a much more negative view of the Reds pair. Both Cooper AND Foley tend to make a lot of mistakes.
PeterK
Roar Guru
So Simmons had the worst work rate despite playing only 46 mins and not that physical in contact. Carter and Mumm very good work rates. Mumm played with more physicality than Carter and Simmons.
PeterK
Roar Guru
thanks FF
macca
Guest
Here's what I would do... 1. Sio 2. Moore 3. Slipper 4. Simmons 5. Douglas 6. Fardy 7. Hooper 8. Pocock 9. Genia 10. Foley 11. Mitchell 12. Giteau 13. Kurindrani 14. AAC 15. Folau 16. P-N 17. Slipper 18. Holmes 19. Skelton 20. Mumm 21. McMahon 22. Toomua 23. Beale
bennalong
Guest
All Black Captain David Kirk : "Kirk, who played halfback, said he would start the NSW Waratahs halves combination of Nick Phipps and Bernard Foley ahead of the Queensland Reds duo of Will Genia and Cooper. “I go back to my roots in New Zealand,” Kirk said. “We don’t expect nine and 10 to win the game. We expect nine and 10 to put the team in the position to win the game. “We are looking for 10s who can direct play, who make few mistakes, who are constantly summing up what is the right thing at the right time and executing really well. I would probably go with Phipps and Foley, although they have had a couple of ordinary Tests recently, but good players can play badly on occasions.” Andrew Mehrtens: "Mehrtens, who was the Waratahs’ kicking coach during their drought-breaking Super Rugby campaign last year, said he’d pick Foley ahead of Cooper. “Bernard Foley is a very well rounded fly half,” he told foxsports.com.au. “He’s got a lot of courage and a lot of heart. He’s keen, energetic, a good distributor and he can attack the line and have a go himself.”
Daveski
Guest
That's amazing you watched Kane Douglas the whole game... How does one get these special broadcasts that just focus on one player and one player only?
Daveski
Guest
Simmons not mentioned ? I wonder why
DC NZ
Guest
I don't know what youse guys are bleating about. There is no pressure on the Wallabies at this tournament. they can bow out early and youse guys just move on to next year .. Whereas we Kiwis are expected to be in the final ...
ForceFan
Guest
For Sio - % = 5
ForceFan
Guest
Simmons obviously needed the run. For his 46 minutes: 9 Ruck involvements - All attack. 10 Tackles/1 Missed 3 runs/6m 1 LOW. Dean Mumm - 34 minutes 11 ruck involvements - All Attack 7 Tackles/0 Missed 3 runs/14m 1 LOW Sam Carter - 30 minutes 12 rucks - 11A/1D 6 Tackles/1 Missed 1 run/5m 2 LOW Scott Sio - 15 mins 8 rucks - %A/3D 5 Tackles/1 missed 1 run/1m Only Slipper forced a Penalty at the breakdown.