Yesterday The Roar published a clip with Wallaby coach Michel Cheika saying “A lot of people like to see us down”.
Importantly coach, they are not Australians.
Tonight at Allianz Stadium, it’s a sell-out. The vast majority of the crowd will be Aussies keen to see the Wallabies return to their ball-in-hand, running rugby to avoid a whitewash by England.
Let’s face it, the first two Tests were won by England 39-28 and 23-7 playing inferior rugby, but were gifted victories by rubbish Wallaby play.
Coach, that’s the reason why the Wallaby fans are understandably disappointed.
When a Wallaby pulls on a gold jersey, it’s reasonable to expect every one of the 23-man squad has a firm grip on rugby’s basic essentials of accurate passing, safe handling, support play, retention, and tackling.
Anything less, and the question has to be asked – how in hell were they selected?
Last Saturday, with 70 per cent possession and territory, the Wallabies were easily beaten with so many moments of missing basics.
England couldn’t believe their luck, victory was gift-wrapped in Wallaby self destruction.
Said Wallaby captain Stephen Moore: “We have to play better”.
Go on.
New vice-captain Rob Horne: “We have to learn from our mistakes”.
Go on.
Two of the most senior Wallabies stating the bleeding obvious.
The better answers would have been why didn’t the Wallabies play better, and why did the Wallabies make so many mistakes?
We still don’t know.
Melbourne was the latest debacle with Moore, Sekope Kepu, James Slipper, Rory Arnold, Sam Carter, Scott Fardy, Dean Mumm, and Nick Phipps the main offenders.
Bernard Foley has been included by some in that list, but in all fairness he was given atrocious service by Phipps with high, low, and behind him passes that were late in delivery to allow the England defence to easily smother the Wallaby 10.
But out of those failures in Melbourne only Arnold and Carter have been dumped altogether, the rest have survived.
On the other side of the selection coin, inside centre Samu Kerevi has also been sacked and for no valid reason, plus bench winger Luke Morahan.
So is Cheika making a combination of pick-and-stick selections with form selections?
If that’s the case why was Kerevi shown the door?
He had to fit in with either selection policy, but his replacement Matt Toomua doesn’t qualify for either.
The Melbourne pack boasted 345 caps. Tonight there will be 413 caps with the addition of locks Will Skelton and Rob Simmons.
The Melbourne backline had 171 caps, tonight it’s 207 with Toomua’s inclusion.
On that basis Wallaby fans expect the basics to be better, or Michael Cheika will have no option but to the wield the axe for the Rugby Championship.
In the meantime, the prospect of Skelton and debutant bench man Adam Coleman locking in together as soon as possible will be mouth-watering.
Two behemoth units: Skelton 203 cms and 140 kgs and Coleman 204 cms and 122 kgs.
And a Wallaby win.
Craig Swanson
Guest
Like I say I am no rugby expert. I call it as I see it. Would the giant Will Skelton be a of more use at 8 with his and tackle busting potential? He has some ball skills and once he gets up a head of steam his enormous bulk would take some stopping. He would also be more involved at 8. He does tend to get a little lazy .
Craig Swanson
Guest
From what I saw of the games Kuridrani would be gone. Put Kerevi somewhere alse and a playmaker at 12. Why was the clever Lealifano not given more game time this series? I think Folau would create more havoc at either 13 or wing where as you say he can roam. Please Izzy take on the defense more and do not pass unless absolutely necessary. I would also be asking Phipps to snipe a bit more than he does. Lastly, change the present goal kicker.
Craig Swanson
Guest
The honeymoon is over for Cheika. He promised so much after a fine stint as Waratahs coach. He has not delivered and is on a dowward run. I am no rugby expert but what I am seeing from the Wallabies I do not like. They are trying to run the ball far too often rather than using their nouses and a little bit of skill. How often do we see the playmakers upset a strong defensive line with a clever chip lick or grubber or a long cut out pass. There is far too much structure in rugby.. And please do not get me started on the scrums and whistle happy refs.
Jibba Jabba
Guest
The Wallabies can play the Western Force - they are now World Champions of something in Mauritius, that top rugby playing nation.
Jibba Jabba
Guest
According to David England were inferior - which means Australia must have been inferior-er !
Sir Eddie
Guest
Regarding future tours from England I'm not sure they'll bother until Aus rugby improves.
Fox Saker
Guest
Keith the contact area is not just the breakdown it is in the hit on the tackle and the power going forwrd in the carry as well and like NZ England contested only if they thought they could win the ball an. The contact area is called such because it involve more than just the breakdown so it is not is not crap and plenty of X-Wallaby commentators said so about the first two tests as well
Sausage Party
Guest
What does 'tough guy' have to to do with it. The oz coach is the one complaining that opposition fans like seeing the wallabies down. What exactly is the point of a whiney, emo comment like that? Does you think the poor, hard done by wallabies deserve sympathy and respect from the opposition fans when the are getting thumped at home?
Fox Saker
Guest
When have I criticized private schools? -my god Antoni do yourself a favor and yet again get your facts right - I have NEVER attacked private schools - I went to one myself for gods sake Now you are confusing me with another blogger which you replied to and amazingly I agreed with your reply - or have you forgotten that already ? Seriously dude get your facts straight If you have never read as single positive comment from me about the Wallabies then you have read what you wanted to read which ain't my problem - its yours
Sausage Party
Guest
That won't and hasn't stopped certain fans from both sides proclaiming England as the best team in the world. Depressed wallaby fans trying to make themselves feel better: "they were so good tonight they would have beaten the All Blacks". Wildly optimistic English fans reveling in the euphoria of the first 3-0 series win i oz: "we have beaten oz and wales. Nz just beat wales.Oz beat nz about once every four years, therefore we can claim a victory against the all blacks."
AlexG
Guest
I think that's rather harsh on Toomua
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Can anybody recall of David criticised McKenzie or Deans' selections during their time? I'd say he did.
Old Bugger
Guest
Fair comments......but, it makes you wonder if he does, have any say, with SR coaches or, has this past 7mths, been a waste of idle time....???
Keith of WA
Guest
Beaten in the contact area? What utter crap... England did not contest the breakdown... the WB's had 3 or 4 at the breakdown against NO DEFENDERS for long periods in attack. And everyone is wondering why 12 WB's couldn't break the 15 man defence for long periods... Dumb from the coach to not see and adjust the tactics... dumb from the players to not see and adjust to the tactics... The definition of stupid is doing the same thing time after time and expecting a different result. And any coach who is filmed telling his players off minutes before a game has clearly got issues. Fair play to the Poms... they out thought, out played and controlled the tempo and pounced on the inevitable errors.. They deserved the win... particularly if the players and coach are not alert to changing tactics mid game.... (that's assuming they can actually play outside of a set 'shape') I said before the WC I don't rate the coach as any more than a motivator. And I still say that. Jones is a crafty opportunist. If they lose tonight Cheika can't complain that he didn't have fair warning.....
Worlds Biggest
Guest
Thanks for the support T'man, we need everything we can get mate !
Antoni
Guest
You do, admit it tough guy.
Antoni
Guest
OK, Fox, I agree that England have been the better team and have deserved to win the first two tests. How beautifully you defend the pride of England. It is interesting that considering you claim to be a AB supporter first and a Wallaby supporter second that I have never read a single positive observation or comment from you on here in respect of the Wallabies, let alone a glowing defence of their recent achievements, like their amazing run of victories in 2015. On the contrary, you posts are consistent in their strident criticism of pretty much everything in Australian rugby from the private schools to the national coach. Your defence of England is impressive but coming from you, taking such offence to David's obviously purposeful inflammatory statement is a little rich.
Dave_S
Guest
Let me put it this way - have we seen a Wallaby since Cooper who has a good enough kicking game to put up attacking bombs for Folau? It would be just more wasted possession.
Josh
Guest
Thanks Fox. That was great. Congrats to England
Josh
Guest
I hear you. I was waiting for that to come. I'm still waiting. It appears Oz has a complete lack of confidence in their kicking game - including kicking for goal. That would have helped. Good on England for their 8 game streak. That's fantastic. I am also in awe of their fitness. They just kept lining up.