Former Australian international and Brumbies wing Clyde Rathbone has taken a swing at the Wallabies, calling them delusional for believing they could actually beat the All Blacks.
Rathbone argues that the Wallabies were overly confident going into the Bledisloe opener in Sydney, referring to the likes of Conor McGregor and Muhammad Ali and their self-confidence. Those two ‘warriors’ were able to back it up, unlike the Wallabies who were demolished 42-8 by the All Blacks in Bledisloe 1.
The reality of a record loss was clear, Rathbone writes: “The truth is pitiless, indifferent to all but the purity of its own self-evidence. And the truth is that the All Blacks are a much better team than the Wallabies.”
Rathbone believes only Israel Folau and David Pocock would make a combined ANZAC team: “That leaves thirteen positions (not including the bench) in which the men in black have us covered for quality.”
Clyde went on to call for a Wallabies player or a member of the coaching staff to give an honest and truthful review of the game, something along the lines of: “Look, we’re almost certainly not going to win on Saturday. The last time we won in New Zealand was back in 2001 and our home record against the All Blacks isn’t great either. They are one of the greatest sporting teams in History, so we’ve got to play at our best and hope they have an off night if we’re going to steal a win. That’s the reality but we’re up for the challenge.”
Clyde believes the Wallabies need to take a more measured approach to their expectations, starting with the second Bledisloe Test this Saturday in Wellington.
Joe King
Guest
I agree, it was a thoughtful article. And it made a lot of sense.
Steven Wilks
Guest
Another pathetic attempt by the Wallabies. They're not strong enough, not fit enough, can't kick, can't handle, never there at the breakdown, stand around pointing out off-sides to the referee, and when they have an injury they bring drinks onto the ground, and have a conference about the game. Let's face it - the Wallabies are not even in the same class as the All Blacks, and until they can pour it on for 80 mins they never will be. They haven't been able to go 80 mins since the 80's. Coaching is not the problem. The commitment to the game from EVERY player is the problem. Oh - did I mention a reliable goal kicker might help as well ? Right now we couldn't kick the ball out of sight on a dark night.
Darth Vader
Guest
beat them... unless you've played for the national side
ebop
Guest
Good stuff ej :) Yeah fair point about posters going awol when you want to make some hay. Hang in there. I haven't lost faith in you guys to turn it around.
rebel
Guest
Missing a few facts there champ.
Vic rugby
Guest
You mean naholo and savea who both scored trys last week? How did folau do ?
RobC
Roar Guru
Me too Hika. I think he will fit into any SR NZ team. But would like to see him play a few games for Gold, to see what he can do. Meantime, Reds/WBs need to sort out his actual position I suspect they are gonna fubar it :(
Scrumma
Guest
And yous didn't see this coming prior to the June tests from Australian super rugby performances.
HiKa
Roar Rookie
No former All Black has had to sit through their beloved team playing like the horror show we saw last Saturday night. I doubt there'd be silence if the Wallabies beat the AB's by 6 tries to 1 tonight.
HiKa
Roar Rookie
I can't help but think Kerevi with an NZ team around him would be something special. My 2p's worth.
HiKa
Roar Rookie
Yeah. He's a bloody good footballer. I just hope I never again see him in a 6 jersey, nor an 8. He's a 7. I think you're right that with less emphasis on getting over and staying over the ball for pilfers, his balance of skills, pace and power looks pretty useful.
Rugby Tragic
Roar Rookie
Bakkies, I would have agreed with that up until the June test series. Pocock for whom I have great respect for appears to have plateaued and opposing teams seem to know how now, to limit his impact. And because of the different styles of play, Sam Cane, imo has climbed up leaps and bounds not necessarily ahead of Poey but his worth to his team. Perhaps spurred on by the Ardie threat but Cane's work in the tight and defence is bloody great. Last week in Sydney I thought he was probably the main reason that the AB's repelled everything the Wallabies threw at us.
RobC
Roar Guru
NZ centres? - I think they run rings around our guys currently. - Interesting point though, as Aus 12/13 is blown wide open. - The potential challengers, they have to prove their test form first - Thats a huge ask, because the form is linked with coaching system So, no. Not the centres yet imo
RobC
Roar Guru
Gday HiKA. haha sorry man. Didnt think anyone was too interested. Its somewhat controversial. I think SeanMc would make the best 7 in today's rules. Only if his coaches knew what to do with him. I think a Kiwi coach would
eagleJack
Roar Guru
Yep 100% chook
Machooka
Roar Guru
eJ... you're sure Timbo is the artist formally known as Birdy??
eagleJack
Roar Guru
ebop I have no issue with people pointing out the Wallabies faults. Heck there are a lot of them! But I do have an issue with guys like Neil Back and to a lesser extent Birdy (sorry Timbo now) who mock the team, only to disappear post RWC. And then return when things are rosy for their nation again. Being able to critically analyse your side during the good and bad times is important. Those who only appear during the good times, and knock others during their darker times, have no respect from me. Despite the dire straits we find ourselves in I'm looking forward to tonight's game. Should be a cracker, even if I'm not going to like the result :)
Zack
Roar Rookie
If Checks is willing to gamble on starting Hodge, Cooper to do goal kicking is much less of a gamble. Cooper-Foley pairing just makes no sense at all, unless they have devised a super-duper defensive system involving perpetual player reassignments while backpedalling under the weight of the All Blacks tsunami. Nah, much simpler to start Hodge against the All Blacks rookie Lienart-Brown.
ebop
Guest
Yeah Tman not tonight :) God forbid, if the wheels fall off the ABs wagon I think we will come in for an absolute pasting.
taylorman
Roar Guru
Yes that's true ebop, oz rugby is in annoying bad shape and we do need to be mindful of that. It's better when everyones competing, all beating eachother as the boards are more competitively healthy. Unfortunately oz are getting dumped on by one and all it seems. Wish it were better, and hopefully they get some resounding results in soon...but just not tonight perhaps.