As the dust settles on another Bledisloe defeat, it’s time to really sit back and take stock of where the Wallabies are.
Although the defeat in Wellington was not as embarrassing as the one they suffered in Sydney, it once again raised some questions that Cheika, his selectors and coaches really have to take a look at.
Where’s the creativity?
Once again, 80 minutes of international rugby has passed and the Australians didn’t look like threatening the All Blacks’ line. It took 70-odd minutes for Quade Cooper to give Israel Folau an inside ball for the fullback to streak clear of the defence.
He was caught close to the line, and unfortunately Nick Phipps lost the ball as he was reaching for the white paint. Where was this thinking and line running in the opening exchanges? Had they done this earlier, maybe New Zealand would’ve had something else to think about, rather than the easy one-out runners that they were facing.
Stephen Larkham has been hailed as one of the great Australian number 10s. He’s made the transition to Brumbies head coach and then into leading the Wallabies attack.
Is this where the problem lies?
If you watched the Brumbies in Super Rugby, they were a forward heavy attacking unit. Stephen Moore scored a very impressive seven tries this season, compared to the top scoring back, Joe Tomane, who picked up six tries in only eight appearances through an injury-ravaged campaign.
The Brumbies aren’t known for their exciting brand of rugby, relying heavily on a strong set piece. Now this style is then being transferred to the Australian side.
Bernard Foley got more ball than Cooper on Saturday and he was playing at 12. It seemed that Cooper only got the ball in near-impossible situations. He showed what he can do with the inside pass to Folau and did incredibly well to get out of trouble when five metres behind his own line, but he can’t do it all.
He’s one of those players that divides opinion. Some say you need a maverick like him against the All Blacks because if he’s ‘on’, then he’s untouchable. Some say he shouldn’t be anywhere near the squad, as you don’t know what player will turn up.
Cooper is a player that, if backed and given confidence, the Wallabies can build a game plan around. Have him at 10, Kerevi (or Reece Hodge) at 12 and Israel Folau at 13, then you will have a backline to frighten a lot of teams.
Now it’s over to the selectors to be brave. Foley is currently living on reputation. His nerveless kicks to win the Super Rugby final in 2014, and the World Cup Quarter Final against Scotland, have given him this aura that he cannot be dropped.
When Cheika first took over, Foley was in great form. Just look at his individual performance against England in the World Cup. Since then he’s been mediocre at best.
If he has to play, it has to be at flyhalf. He isn’t dynamic enough at inside centre. He doesn’t have the burst of pace, he isn’t big enough to power through gaps, it’s a waste.
Hodge has those attributes. He burst onto the scene this season for the Melbourne Rebels and was consistently a potent attacking weapon, but when he was brought on this weekend, he was stuck on the wing, starved of the ball.
Another selection that must come under scrutiny is the captain, Moore. He’s been a magnificent servant to Australian rugby, but it may be time to look to the future.
One of the main arguments against Tatafu Polota-Nau has been his lineout throwing. Sam Whitelock and Brodie Rettalick have just had a field day in the last two Tests against Moore’s throw.
Polota-Nau offers a lot more around the park, and although he isn’t a spring chicken himself, he would aid the transition in playing style that needs to happen.
I like what I saw from Adam Coleman. The yellow card was foolish and naïve but it showed intent. He wasn’t there to be overawed by the occasion and the opposition, he was aggressive and on the front foot.
In Sydney last week, the Wallabies keeled over and got steamrolled. They didn’t front up. This week there was niggle from the first minute. It’s a tactic that, cynical as it is, needs to be used at times when playing against a superior opponent.
Players like Coleman and Sean McMahon are aggressive, get into opponents’ heads, and are players that every team needs to complement players like David Pocock and Coopers. I’m not advocating foul play, but sometimes you need to stand up and put it to the big teams.
With a week off, then an underperforming South African side coming to Brisbane, this is a crucial time for Cheika and his team. Lose this, then I don’t hold out much hope for them.
A win is imperative, but the style of win is also important.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.
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