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No one can argue that the Wallabies are going particularly well.
Many predicted England would be a tough foe, but on home soil, the Australians would have their measure.
There was even quiet optimism that this was a chance for the Wallabies to beat the All Blacks who are in the early stages of their post-champions era.
Far from doing that, the Wallabies were swept aside by England, and embarrassingly dismantled by New Zealand.
Four of these opening five losses have actually come about on home soil. The rugby world scratch their heads at what it is that is currently going on.
There’s been so much outrage lately that a whole range of reasons have been thrown around as to why the post-World Cup era has not gone as many expected it would.
This isn’t to say that this level of optimism guaranteed any of the things we hoped for. Far from that, it was more the belief that the Wallabies had turned the corner and were heading down the path towards becoming a consistent and proud team with a rebuilt culture.
So where has it all gone wrong in 2016?
In the Bledisloe post-mortem, no one within ARU circles has been spared or excused of reasons why our national team is not getting it right once again.
It’s a wide held belief now that there are serious problems within the ARU. In fact it’s been questioned for a long time. That’s hardly anything new.
If those problems genuinely exist within a system, then absolutely, these forces combine systemically to play a huge part in how our game turns out both on and off the playing field.
So everything that’s said is completely reasonable and valid. The ARU and our grassroots need to be examined and scrutinised to make sure that everything within the rugby culture in this country is being completely and utterly maximised to it’s potential. If stubbornness is one of things that stands in its way, then that too is a major problem that will not be fixed by tomorrow.
Another major problem being commonly suggested recently is the belief that our players are not good enough. How could this be true?
Have we forgotten that it was only less than twelve months ago that we were competing on the grandest stage the game of rugby has to offer? And with that, temporarily anchored ourselves as the number two ranked nation.
This wasn’t the performance of a bunch of players hopelessly out of their depth. Actually far from it. It’s a falsehood. An excuse.
Various experts within the UK suggested the Wallabies’ level of depth and talent within its back-line was something they felt a sense of envy about.
Again, it’s been less than twelve months. Our senior players are not that much older or slower. Our younger players are not so inexperienced that they can’t handle the pressure of the Test arena. They haven’t forgotten how to catch, kick or pass. These current Wallabies are pretty much the same group of players that gave us the chance of winning another World Cup.
We can pass, kick and catch. This isn’t something that disappears overnight or with age and inexperience.
In any case it doesn’t actually require much in the way of training for a bunch of professional rugby players – who only just gave up a long and fluctuating top three ranking – to make sure they can hold on to a straight forward pass.
What we see here is actually completely psychological. These grown men know how to pass, catch and kick. We hear again and again that it’s seen in training but not executed in match conditions. Why is that exactly?
Furthermore, the ARU has just recently completed the well overdue coup of renowned skills guru Mick Byrne.
Firstly, it’s fantastic to see the ARU being so proactive. If Mick Byrne is as brilliant as many seem to suggest, then we should be optimistic and patient that he can achieve positive things here. It’s only a good thing.
Hopefully, he can leave a similar legacy and be of service in many different ways. But he needs time and his impact will not be evident straight away.
But fundamentals like passing, catching and kicking are currently a problem. And if we accept that the reasons for them being problematic are partly psychological, then instead of saying who’s to blame for this, the question actually becomes where does the responsibility lie?
Currently, we can’t control the extent to which the ARU contributes to the grass roots. We can’t control how quickly people like Mick Byrne can finetune fundamentals. And we can’t control what goes on during the Super Rugby season.
All those things are very important, but Michael Cheika is still the one who is in control of the national team at the moment. He is ultimately responsible for the way this team is currently performing.
Regardless of form and psychology, he is the one who picks the players, positions the players and instructs the game plan.
It was the same for both Robbie Deans and Ewen McKenzie.
Michael Cheika’s performance so far has been below standard both on and off the field. If people were so critical of the previous two coaching era’s, then they can’t conceivably be more forgiving with this one that appears to have run off the rails.
I’m completely aware of the danger that pointing out the recent success of the Wallabies might actually seem like a contradiction when being critical of coaching. How can I convince myself that the players are still up to it and not be as considerate when it comes to coaching?
I don’t believe this to be so. I think the position of national coach in any sport is one that is rightfully and constantly under the microscope. Especially when that country has a reasonable level of expectation and a history rightful high standards.
This standard doesn’t have to involve beating teams like the All Blacks. We can accept when we’re simply not good enough. But it certainly has to be better than what has been recently served up, regardless.
And we know the Wallabies can be so much better than that.
Regardless of any problems which don’t help the cause, the performance of the national team can’t be anything short of scrutinising.
This isn’t a domestic competition, it’s the Test arena. Every match is far too important to accept standards that are below what the Australian rugby community rightfully expects. That’s why it was brutal to Ewen McKenzie. That’s why it was brutal to Stuart Lancaster as well any other unsuccessful reign that comes to mind.
Final judgement of Michael Cheika should rightfully be left until a little bit later in the season. Perhaps even after the spring tour.
In saying all this, I don’t actually believe his job is under serious threat anyway. I think the ARU are convinced about him.
But, he certainly should come under the microscope as closely as his predecessors did, especially if we see more of this.
The Wallabies have resembled nothing like we expected they would. Instead, they’ve been feeble in defence and clueless in attack. That problem is tactical and related to game-plan. And it always falls under coaching. So why aren’t we questioning it enough lately?
Five consecutive losses with little or no sign of having learnt anything is not a good start to a Test season by anyone.
I’m sorry but it simply isn’t the players to blame here. We have the cattle!
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.