The foundations of the Wallabies’ mighty defensive wall were laid far from prying eyes in a foreign land where rugby union barely exists.
At Notre Dame University in Indiana, coach Michael Cheika and defence assistant Nathan Grey produced the training drills which are giving the Wallabies an edge – helping them top the World Cup’s Pool of Death and attain second favouritism to the lift the Webb Ellis Cup.
With the mercury tipping 40 degrees Celsius, Cheika ordered his players to don their tracksuits and run through defensive drills at their pre-World Cup camp.
The aim was to test and improve players’ decision-making when suffering extreme fatigue – much as they were when they defended their own line for seven minutes with two men in the sin bin in the weekend’s epic 15-6 win over Wales at Twickenham.
“There were days when we were in America that we still laugh about: 38 degrees and we had to throw on the suits, tops and bottoms,” hard-working prop Sekope Kepu said.
“It feels like 50 degrees in the suits, and we were just smashing each other for 30-40 minutes, and solving those problems.
“All the training has been about getting us fatigued and testing us under those moments when we are really buggered.”
The rewards were there for all to see when the Wallabies emerged from the pool unbeaten and with only two tries scored against them in the 320 minutes played over four matches.
“The hard work has been done,” said Kepu.
“(Against Wales) when I was going through a bit of pain, you know you’re hurting but you know the opposition is hurting as well if not worse.
“I just have full confidence in the work we have done but we have to keep building and not let it slip.”
The same happened with scrum training, where the Wallabies pack would push and push for minutes at a time but get nowhere – only to look up and find that Cheika had added an extra flanker or two to their opposition, and it was a battle of eight on ten.
Again the results are there for World Cup rivals to see: a bruising victory over England in which the offence flourished was followed up by a magnificent defensive effort which has been hailed as one of their best in living memory against Wales.
Cheika and his players have repeatedly spoken about the defensive display being a product of the team’s culture.
Kepu gave an insight into that when he revealed the words of encouragement veteran winger Drew Mitchell tossed his way when he was out on his feet early in the second half.
“I know you’re rooted, but I am just going to keep coming at you,” Mitchell told Kepu, who found the energy to redouble his efforts and throw himself into another scrum.
The words hit the spot.
“For me, you never take things like that personally,” said Kepu, who also believes the Wallabies will not be beaten on fitness in any game at this World Cup.
“He only wants the best out of you and I appreciate it.
“If I am not doing my job, that’s what team honesty is all about.
“We have learned to have a go at each other in training and have a few scuffles here and there but it’s all done with good intent and it’s all about doing the best for the team.”
Jez
Guest
Where's the punch line? Seriously?
Jameswm
Guest
The finishers are also bench front row. The difference is, for us, they're as good or better, in different ways. certainly scrum wise, they're as good.
Who Needs Melon
Roar Guru
I like this quote: "you know you’re hurting but you know the opposition is hurting as well if not worse" I think there was a moment around when we lost two players to yellow cards that the cameras cut to Gatland and he seemed to have this look of glee / relish on his face like he was starving and just about to tuck into a big meal. And they definitely cut to him again after we'd returned to having 15 men and he looked a man completely deflated. The Welsh players were the same. When they'd thrown everything at us when we were two men down and failed, they seemed to know they'd blown it. You could see the faces, shoulders and energy levels drop. Great stuff Wallabies. Almost the rugby equivalent of the famous Ali rope-a-dope.
Existentialist
Guest
it really is the small things ... i am no coach and i am sure there are plenty on here who are coaches, ex coaches and couch coaches who can liberate me on the finer things. But geez I like what Cheika has brought to this team. clearly the training examples above are not out of the rocket scientist manual but what it is clearly instilling in the team is that culture and comradery reiterated by Mitchell and Kepu. this coupled with confidence makes for a very dangerous team. something the All Blacks have had for ages. now lets get the skill levels up a touch higher ;)
PeterK
Roar Guru
Our scrum performs better , TPN is a better scrummer than Moore, Sio better than Slipper now, Holmes Kepu hard to call. Remember the finishers are either facing tired starters or bench frontrow.
PeterK
Roar Guru
Thank you Redderthankevin - the parody continues You have been a bit too subtle though, people still bite. Perhaps Graham should be brought in as head coach AND defensive coach. Stiles as scrum coach. Also remove Pocock, Giteau and Folau from the rwc since they are carrying injuries and replace them with Gill, Kerevi and Hunt. Also make Horwill the captain after somehow getting him in the squad and Cooper as VC.
Jameswm
Guest
Holmes is excellent in the scrum, and doesn't look massive. He's been handy around the field too. In fact I reckon when Holmes and TPN come on, our scrum gets better. Sio is probably better than Slipper, but TH and hooker more than cancel that out.
gatesy
Roar Guru
Is this Richard Graham's alter ego??
RubberLegs
Guest
When RG gets his chance, Jamie-Jerry Taulagi will captain the Wallabies.
RubberLegs
Guest
From here on it may be necessary to score tries. The Smiths, Nonu and Milner-Skudder will be hard to contain without McCalman on the field. Penalties may not be enough. Our maul tries will not happen unless the dropped Simmons is there to run the line-out. Cheika will probably drop Genia next.
Bags
Guest
Your best yet RTK. Looking to see how you can top that one!
Paul
Guest
You are partially right. QLD fans are the most defensive. And I think a lot can be learned from how well Graham defends his job But obvious troll is obvious..
Timmy o'toole
Guest
Geez Louise. A team with the worst defensive record in Australia this as well
Connor33
Guest
This point from Kepu is telling: “I know you’re rooted, but I am just going to keep coming at you,” Mitchell told Kepu, who found the energy to redouble his efforts and throw himself into another scrum." Players only feel comfortable saying things like this where there is trust and honesty in the camp. It's a brilliant insight into the working of the team. Kepu has gotta be one of the best TH's in the WC right now. I predicted it before kickoff and he only seems to get better every game. Australia should have play til he retires irrespective of what his French team wants. Give him a % of the gate. Holmes also has been excellent when he has come on. No drop in standard.
concerned supporter
Guest
you have NO IDEA
Redderthankevin
Guest
I believe the defensive efforts began at the Reds. Whilst a few close results this year did not go our way at the Reds. The defensive grit often comes from the Reds players. To improve the defence I would suggest getting rid of mumm and bringing in horwell. He has the mongrel. swapping foley for cooper whose defence has improved greatly. Brining in gill for the injured pocock. Finally brining in graham to be the defensive coach. Grey is to divisive and has done a good job but he has taken them as far as possible. Defence is Richard Graham's speciality. It's my opinion that he should be brought in for this role. Richard graham can unite the players and move this area forward.