Finally Australian fans have something to cheer about, and Fijian fans whilst upset with their second loss will cheer the return to a more entertaining Fijian performance.
The Wallabies’ first half was fantastic, mixing a ‘have a go’ attitude with a healthy respect for their opposition and a disciplined game plan that matched.
The second half started the same way, but two things happened which meant Australia rightly took the win but without the bonus point they were after.
1. The Fijians decided to do what they didn’t against England. At 28–3 down they decided to have a go and use the ball. If they had done the same five days ago at Twickenham I expect the home team could have been in trouble.
2. The reserves fizzled more than finished. Now so used to our bench adding impact and outcomes, their inclusion lead to uncertainty and some unforced errors.
But a lot more went down than that, so let’s break it down in the Good, the Bad and the Ugly.
The Good
1. The Australian maul
Whether you like it or not, you have to admit that Australia’s maul is now a weapon. Whether they are driving for the line, or trying to take metres up field before releasing the backs, teams have to defend it or pay the price.
The big difference here is the mindset that players have to fight hard to keep shoulders and hips square. In mauls where players are side on or have their backs to the opposition, the ability to generate force is minimal.
The current Wallaby mauls have all players except the jumper fighting to ‘square up’ – essentially turning it in to a scrum formation with Pocock controlling it at the back.
This means that even if the front guys get spun out, there are straight strong backs ready to surge forward behind them.
2. Australia’s wide–wide setup.
By making oppositions defend the full width of the field, as well as the ‘out the back plays’, this system puts huge pressure on the defence to make decisions.
Sekope Kepu’s try is a perfect example of how this system works, with Fijian Captain Akapusi Qera stuck in the almost impossible situation of having to mark both the forward threat (Stephen Moore) and the out the back option (Bernard Foley).
Keps correctly spots the weakness and has the ball-carrying skill to take advantage of the space.
The more the Australians get comfortable with this pattern, the greater the dividends.
3. Seeing Fiji running with the ball again
Having known the temptation to try to add some structure to the Fijian game plan, it was fantastic to see them use that to create opportunities to play their natural game.
There is an intrinsic energy that enters a Fijian team when they run the ball, and despite the time of the game or the score line, when they play like this all 15 players turn up in droves, supporting and passing the ball like they were on the beaches of Nadronga.
This many bodies in motion are enough to sit any defence on their heels and the game comes alight. Watching Leone Nakawara and Ben Volavola take the lead last night brought this excitement into the game.
The Bad
1. The Wallaby penalty count
Whilst the Australian pressure at the breakdown was fantastic, the penalty count is cause for concern going forward.
By my count the Wallabies gave seven defensive breakdown penalties away, something they will have to watch against teams who will punish this ill-discipline. They also conceded a yellow card for repeated infringement in the dying stages of the game.
2. The yellow card call on Campese Ma’afu
As calls go this was the toughest I have seen this World Cup and had a major impact on the momentum of the game.
Yes, it disrupted Australia’s ball, but ever so slightly and not to the point that they weren’t able to continue with the attack.
What’s more, there had been no warning and to accuse poor Campese of cynical play would imply that he had any idea what he was doing, which would be hard given his head was on the ground on the other side of the ruck. A tough call on him that resulted in two tries in five minutes for the Wallabies.
The Ugly
1. The impact of the Australian bench
Now let me say that in recent years this performance would be a moot point, but we have come to expect so much of our finishers and this is the first time they have let us down.
In short, we had Holmes’ penalty for not rolling away, Phipps’ drop that lead to a Fiji lineout, the change of lineout caller from Simmons to Dean Mumm, and Mumm’s drop leading to three lost lineouts in a row, and Tatafu’s drop on a switch with Bernard Foley.
Collectively this switched the momentum of the game and gave Fiji a sniff. The lineout was of particular concern taking us from a try scoring opportunity back to Fiji attacking in our half.
2. Slipper’s head knock
Never something you want to see happen to any player and we wish him all the best, but what is more concerning for Australia is that it places additional pressure on our front row selections.
There can be no way he is available for the Uruguay game, forcing Sio to back up, the first sign of added strain in this contentious area of the squad.
Overall Australia will be much better for the run, and whilst they only took four points I’d have to agree with Moore in his after-match comments.
This tournament is about winning games not bonus points, and I saw enough in this game to suggest Australia will be doing more of that!
Ruckin Oaf
Guest
Hey Birdy, What it's easy to kick when you're being pressured by tough defence with fast line speed. Must have been why so many Fijian kicks were charged down - roughly none as I recal :)
kezablonde
Guest
I know nobody will read this in the history of mankind (not as long as you may think), however I must clarify my Good, Bad & Uglys' from above (tell someone who cares, right?): Genia was good RELATIVE to his recent performances, however I agree those box kicks - it's like hitting a diminished 7th before the one chord - doesn't really have to be done, but mixes things up - good in music... bad in rugby; and Folau kicked stupidly too - nearly as bad as Mum's lineout spill - both stultify positive, go-forward, in-possession rugby. I put Hooper's front-on tackling in 'the Bad' - meaning that it is so good that it is bad (Afro-American slang - y,know). As for my Ugly - I'm sticking with 'the Aussie bench'!
riddler
Guest
kicks are only as good as their chasers.. don't kick if the others don't know what is going on, and if they do, someone give them a kick up the bum for not chasing.. pretty much sure we all learnt that in the under 12's..
CJT
Roar Rookie
That was not meant to be serious of course, but you can jump on it and take it however you want twocreeks........not much of a sense of humour on here after a pretty decent win. He left nothing on the park as usual.
Hambone
Guest
i agree david, and herein lies half the problem, the fickle wallaby supporter that is never happy with a win, and loves to throw some in even more so on a loss.. the boys won, its their first hit out in the tournie, they havent played in weeks. the Fijian side were good, they are big and strong and can run, they backed up a solid performance against the english with an even better performance against us, hats off to the lads for coming away like we did. One can never have a perfect game, but ones 'supporters' can atleast lay off and take it down a few freaking pegs when we get some points on the board.. no injuries, some confidence in the tank.. bonmus points are for super rugby like cheks said post game interview.. we need wins and lots of them.. well played boys, look forward to many a late beer fueled nights to come. #strongerasone
Mike Huber
Roar Pro
Thanks Champ, I was educated at Eton...................NOT ! Picked up a few choice words through the school of hard knocks ??
PirateRugby
Guest
Moore's throwing was excellent, when Simmons was calling. Did he suddenly forget how to throw when Mumm came on? More likely the organisation of the lineout fell apart. Mumm has proven some doubters (including me) wrong on some occasions since he returned to the WBs. The game against Fiji was not his best. Douglas was pretty hopeless. We're getting killed in the second row. Its a pity that an old hand like Horwill isn't fit, in form and available. Pity we don't have a hard working 80 minute player who can call lineouts like Luke Jones running around in Australian super rugby in 2015. Pity we don't have a couple of up and coming young guys like Arnold and Coleman available. TPN's never been a great thrower but he is still a fantastic hooker. He'd be one of the best in the world. And he's a top bloke. Hope he comes through the RWC unharmed.
DCR
Guest
The Bad - add Genia's box kicking. It has become clear that the catching of high balls is a lot better in this tournament than ever before. So unless we have at least one preferably two contesting the catch Genia would be much better off just giving the ball to his opposite 9 and say here we would rather tackle than be tackled, we've run out of puff and ideas, so you have it, and we'll roll the dice. Thankfully there is only one other team better than Fiji at returning poor kicks and they will say thanks very much Will, see you under the goal posts 4 more years.
Jibba Jabba
Roar Guru
And the very generous - to Australia - refereeing performance of jackson.
Graeme Syms
Guest
This World Cup tournament provides the perfect mix of players, fans and spectators from which an reliable cross section survey can be conducted in connection with the seeming unpopularity of The Rolling Maul. Most comments seem to suggest it is an abominable combination of obstruction and off side play. Most general comments suggest it detracts from running/passing choices - and is fast becoming the first choice by up and coming and younger teams.
marto
Guest
I dont know why Kerevi wasn`t there in the first place.,Was by far the best 12 in oz this year more meteres and tackle busts than everyone bar FOLAU..
pick & go..!!
Guest
I agree rugbyhead with your analysis with some of those players. I'm also gobsmacked to how some of those players seem to fly under the radar when the Wallabies do lose. We can't change the team now unless injuries force it. So we just got to support the players & the team. Hopefully their form changers for the better. Soon..!!
Bunratty c
Roar Rookie
Nice overview!
twocreeks
Guest
Meooow. If it doesn't 22/23 is not bad work against Fiji.
Chris
Guest
You really don't like Brumbies players.
CJT
Roar Rookie
Does that included the ones he bounced off !
CJT
Roar Rookie
Agree as well. I have been fortunate to see ENG V Fiji and this game live. The difference in the Flying Fijians game plan was significant with much more ball in hand. Imo the first half was a step up in this game compared to the first and with a dry track significantly faster. I believe we were about 5 min late with the subs as some of the big fellas were done at around the 55 min mark. I think VV took advantage of that very well. Subs coming on as Fiji upped the pace and it got messy. We noticed the composure of the Wallabies throughout but particularly in the first 20-25 mins and i think that is where Cooper struggles sometimes. Everyone including the AB's is given a chance to clear the cobwebs but the wallabies it seems. Round one never showcases the best rugby. All IMHO
Bakkies
Guest
Re the lineout I mentioned months ago that Nakawara was a threat. He is like Harinordoquy can take with one hand with clean ball. Did the coaches realise this?
the french
Roar Rookie
Thanks Greg. Another good analysis. May i add on the aussie side: The good: we played a fijian opposition which had a real go and was more focused than in their opening gamr so in a sense the wallabies win is a better win than the pommy one. The bad: Tackling quality was lacking with missed tackles or poor tackles throughout the game. Overall physical impact , a few too many times the aussies were sent back flat on their back. They didnt come launched in the contest. The ugly: decision making from the backliners was too monochrome especially under pressure. If they want to score tries at the back the plan will have to alter. This could explain why we only scored not only when the fijians were numerically inferior but also with 3 forward tries.
Bakkies
Guest
The attack was lateral and not enough ball carrying in the pack but that's expected from the selections. Cheika has to work around that fast otherwise there will be ball in touch. Late in the game Hooper made a perfect tackle and Fiji had no one to the breakdown. Instead of fetching the turnover he went out to cover the outside channel. Lucky the penalty was won at the next breakdown. Can't do that against England and Wales