The Wallabies have got their Rugby World Cup off to a successful start against Fiji with a solid 28-13 victory.
While there was a bit of rust in the performance, there’s no doubt the Wallabies will be pleased to get off to a winning start.
That said, there’s probably plenty to work on for the men in gold. I thought I’d take a look at the big talking points out of the Wallabies’ first match of the 2015 rugby showpiece
>> WALLABIES WIN, BUT DON’T GET BONUS POINT IN RUGBY WORLD CUP OPENER
>> WALLABIES DIY PLAYER RATINGS VS FIJI
>> WALLABIES VS FIJI: HIGHLIGHTS, LIVE BLOG
Impact off the bench
Frankly, where was it?
In the post-match interviews, Michael Cheika said that the Australian team would be flipped for the second game against Uruguay on Sunday.
That’s fair enough – it’s a sound strategy on a short turnaround.
However, there would be a concern that for today only, as it certainly hasn’t been the pattern in 2015, the bench took away more than they added.
Sure, you have two starting XVs, but all the players in a match-day 23 need to be ready to a do a job.
Rob Simmons went off and Australia lost three lineouts in a row. I’m not going to put that on Dean Mumm, as there were some very dodgy throws in that lot, but what went so wrong once the new players came on?
It’s in complete contrast to what we’ve seen so far in 2015, where the Wallabies’ bench has been the difference for them.
Could David Pocock be man of the tournament?
A two-try, fairly complete defensive and attacking performance from Pocock in the end proved the difference for the Wallabies. They won by 15, and if Fiji had less of a gap to cover in the second half you fancy they might have come closer.
Hanging off the back of a maul and diving over was not nearly the most impressive thing Pocock did for the Wallabies. He earned a turnover early. He put some massive hits on, and had a couple of impressive gallops.
You also can’t discount his organisation at maul time, nor his work at the back of the scrum.
Is he the best backrower in the world? Will he be man of the tournament? He was man of the match today.
Do the Aussies really not care about bonus points?
There was one common theme in every single post-match interview the Wallabies conducted: everyone denied the existence of bonus points in World Cups.
Michael Cheika said he had to check whether they were even a thing before the Cup kicked off.
Stephen Moore said no one had spoken about it. Rob Simmons said he didn’t know what a bonus point was.
That last one might not be true, but it’s certainly the impression you got listening to the Wallabies talk.
In a pool that will go down to the wire, I can see their point – you don’t want to be focussing on bonus points more than winning the game, but you should focus on winning well against an opponent like Fiji.
Pool A will be tightly contested. A glance at the Rugby World Cup ladder shows three good teams, and bonus points could be a difference maker.
Will Genia: Kick, run or pass?
Overall, I thought many of the Wallabies had strong games, Will Genia included.
For the most part, his service was good. His box kicking will come in handy against better opposition, so long as there’s a better chase from the Aussies, and his generalship is a step above Australia’s other options.
However, there’s a lurking feeling for me after that game that he could have looked to pass when he chose kick, or run where he chose to pass.
Some of the option taking wasn’t quite what we’ve come to associate with Will Genia at his best.
Australian scrum continues to impress
Aside from a Fijian penalty in the first half, which I think could have gone either way having watched the replay a few times, Australia were excellent in the scrum.
Those two early stalemates were great to watch – stable, powerful, well executed from both sides.
And I thought Australia got the better of a team that stood up to England at scrum time.
That’s a good sign for the Wallabies.
What were your talking points from the game, Roarers?
The Battered Slav
Guest
Arguing with a lawyer about semantics is probably a pretty pointless endeavour. ...and for the record Harry is correct, the word probative has a different meaning in a legal context (in that it denotes an effort to prove or demonstrate the existence of a fact) than in the non-legal context (denoting an exploration of asserted 'facts'). Thus something's probative value differs from undertaking probative actions.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Toomua has been our worst tactical kicker in 2015. Some of his kicks in Auckland were absolutely woeful.
soapit
Guest
with fiji only managing 1 try in the previous 65 (i thought it was 70 myself) i would think you could reasonbly back your defence considering the potential importnce of bp's in our pool
soapit
Guest
genias tctic/habit of kicking away all turnover ball doesnt help. or maybe its a sign of how unconfident they are in their own abilities
soapit
Guest
fiji have disapointed me. i knew they had world class players but i thought they were finally playing with a higher level of professionlism (strucutre, focus and execution) which is really all they need to do to compete and really the mainl aspect where australia were ahead of them
soapit
Guest
they dont matter...right up until we get knocked out of the cup because we dont have as many. fair enough not risk the win but i think foregoing a chance at it with 10 to go (with good success from the tactic previously) to ensure ur more than 2 tries up against a team that had only managed 1 try in the previous 70 mins is not good management of the situation
soapit
Guest
when you consider that 2 of the 3 were from driving mauls it makes the game look a bit more consistent. fiji just didnt give us opportunities and our captains tightened up later in the game wanting to take shots at goal instead of kicking to the line
soapit
Guest
it is a bit strange that they seemingly made larkhm backline coach based entirely on his efforts as a player (not s a coach)
soapit
Guest
they wont worry us, until we miss the plyoffs because we dont have as many
soapit
Guest
except for the try he let in. our locks need to do better when marking faster more agile men.
Dan in devon
Guest
And alliterations too! No more shockers from the Saffas I hope for your sake.
pete
Guest
*like*
Kirko
Guest
I think Genia looked pretty good until the pass that went to no-one & from then he was tentative....he's not the first 9 to throw a pass to "No One" wearing the 10 jersey in recent tests....seem to recall Phipps doing the Same in Sydney against the AB's. Tell me - who was the 10 on both occasions?
linz22
Guest
Great post.
linz22
Guest
^this please!
Tricky Dick
Roar Rookie
Toomua was subbed late to ensure he got a cap added to his total but avoided getting another head knock against a wounded and losing Fiji team.
Harry Jones
Expert
Malapropisms are my metier, Dan.
Internal Fixation
Guest
This is by far the best comment of the 400 or so I have read so far. It is certainly interesting watching the old archived games.
Iwillnotstandby
Guest
Hmm I'm intrigued. Tell me more about these "bonus points"? How do I subscribe to your newsletter "bonus points fancier digest"?
Iwillnotstandby
Guest
Toomua should be at 10 or 12 regardless. We need some one a little stronger and harder in the inside backs. Neither Cooper nor Foley can run straight or dominate in a tackle. Toomua's tactical kicking is better too, just a shame he can't kick goals. In all of our recent tests he has straightened the attack and gotten more from the outside backs. What he lacks in a long passing game he makes up for in reading what is happening and giving the opposition something right in their faces.