The opening Rugby Championship and Bledisloe Cup match has been played in Sydney and ended with a comprehensive victory to the All Blacks by 42 points to 8 over the Wallabies.
More of the wash-up from Bledisloe 1
» Match Report: NZ smash Australia
» LORD: The Wallabies can’t pass, catch or tackle
» What changes should the Wallabies make?
» DIY Player Ratings
» WATCH: All the highlights
The match was a one-sided affair as the All Blacks were simply more composed and organised while the Wallabies appeared well short of a gallop.
Anything to add Mr Kearns? Fitness issues? Sorry, couldn’t help myself there.
Here are my five talking points from the match.
The Wallabies appeared rusty. This is a nice way of putting it.
With only one Australian Super team making the Super Rugby playoffs that also happened to be eliminated in the first week, there was a train of thought that perhaps this would be beneficial to the Wallabies in having the extra time to prepare for the International season.
I remarked in the Big Questions write-up last Thursday that I thought it would be better to have been playing finals rugby and I feel this has been proved correct.
At the same time, what have the Wallabies been up to? I can recall an article that they had a hit out against the Roosters.
The All Blacks managed a hit out of sorts against a couple of Mitre 10 Cup teams in preparation, yet the Wallabies?
They were ill prepared for this evening’s match and played with little cohesion across the many facets of the game.
I would also suggest that the several injuries suffered by the Wallabies, while obviously also bad luck, has correlations with poor preparation and throwing your side into a match played at the highest level with such intensity is asking for trouble.
The Wallaby kicking game appeared aimless at times, giving away cheap possession to the All Blacks.
Their exits were poor from deep in their territory serving only to place themselves under more pressure during the match.
While the early injury to Matt Giteau was unhelpful, Will Genia and Bernard Foley simply have to do better next week if selected. Quade Cooper anyone? Even if they get that right the next issue will also need resolving.
I sure have banged on about this for some time but it is staggering to me that this area continues to be neglected by the Wallabies.
Simply put, the Wallabies cannot continue to believe they can win Tests against the best sides with only three quality jumping options. It is such an important aspect of the game to get right, not only on your own ball but the oppositions as well.
Two lost lineouts last night on their own throw led directly to an All Black try and a score line of 20 to 3 at that juncture. It is a major chink in the Wallaby armour and needs to be addressed.
Brett McKay in his Friday column questioned how skills coach Byrnes’ influence would be interesting to observe on Saturday night.
On the evidence presented from last night it would unfortunately appear to be ‘not much’ at this point.
I do not think it is unfair to say that Mick will be earning his pay check in the near future.
In the next few days, I would expect there to be a fair bit of debate around Wallaby selections and the merits of introducing the older overseas players but spare a thought for old man Kaino.
He just keeps on delivering and dominating at this level and is far from a spent force. They say Father Time waits for no man but maybe he is scared of knocking on Jerome’s door.
No. Simply put, I cannot see it.
I do expect a vastly improved performance but that can also be expected from the All Blacks as well as I am sure there will be several areas they will be working on improving. The Bledisloe looks safe in New Zealand for another year.
Those are my major talking points from last night’s match, what do you Roarers think?
And, on a bugging note to finish, if the ARU (or RobC, whom I like to blame, along with his legal representative Harry Jones) did have anything to do with planting the bug, they should really get their money back from their contractor as they obviously bugged the wrong seat!
Nicholas Bishop
Expert
Yes the Wallabies exited in the same old way as their SR teams, and got punished in the same old way by the AB's!
Digby
Roar Guru
This is what confuses me the most Nick, so much time to prepare and plan yet.....?
Nicholas Bishop
Expert
Pretty accurate summary there Digger, can't disagree with anything you say. It was hard to understand why some elements of the Wallabies play was so poor, when they had been warned about them.
Hound
Guest
Pretty much the first thing he said in the coverage (by my memory) was something along the lines of "Totafu Polota-Nau. The best scrimmaging hooker in the world..." ...and then it pretty much went downhill from there.
Pedro the Maroon
Guest
Are you talking about Ch9 cricket commentary? 7's Olympics?
Bushranger
Guest
You missed the issue of leadership. When the aimless kicking option did not work, there was no leadership to change to Plan B. It wasn't until the second half that the boot was put away and Australia played a more ball in hand game with some effective pick and drives. This, like the offload, was an effective strategy an should be used more. It is lower risk than the offload and does not require as much skill. The player picking up the ball is always right on the gain line already and only has to step or fall forward to make ground. The defence must commit two players to wrap up the ball carrier and stop his forward momentum. This creates space for the next picker to run into. Three quick pick and drives should tie up six defenders or at least put them on the wrong side of the ball carrier and in off side positions.
Digby
Roar Guru
And messy.
Digby
Roar Guru
Fair enough, certainly has proved correct this season.
Digby
Roar Guru
Well, one could go on.
Digby
Roar Guru
Cheers RT, good to see you still wheeling about. Mate, competition for places is excellent, regardless of which side of the fence you are. Keep raising that bar boys.
Digby
Roar Guru
Seems the best prospect, no thoughts on Folau? Coleman is your second rower I think, Hansen and Reddy are good options as well to consider. I am also a big fan of MacMahon, he wont shirk in the tackle and runs the ball hard.
Digby
Roar Guru
Yip, but the Saffies threw away a couple of chances as well. Composure for both sides will perhaps need to be the focus.
Digby
Roar Guru
Sounds bland.
Digby
Roar Guru
Perhaps, but after Round 1 of Super Rugby the Canes were not looking flash either. Fair few games to go yet and the Auckland team is still a good one.
Digby
Roar Guru
Oh completely agree joel.
Machooka
Roar Guru
Ha ha funny funny... get it in while you can, or so to speak!
Aucklandlaurie
Guest
Not if your North of the Bombay hills and South of the harbour bridge.
Aucklandlaurie
Guest
Watched the Auckland Secondary schools grand final on Saturday. Mount Albert grammar won through a try by their outstanding number 7 by the name of Isiah Papaali, next year off to League.
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Guest
Ah Harry, I was waiting for someone to mention Suzy. If it wasn't for her and the bug we would have no smiles this week.
dan in devon
Guest
I thought he meant by roving commission that Byrne would not just be working with the Wallabies but with the states and the development squads through the ARU