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!
Master Chief
Roar Pro
It didn't just happen to the All Blacks this year. A lot of those guys played behind the veterans of the team and developed that experience before stepping into the responsibility of becoming a regular first choice starting player. They planned it perfectly for some time. They do the same with their coaches. Look, i know we're not NZ but we can still learn from them. Michael Cheika doesn't identify players for positions and then stick with them. He just chops and changes re-actively. The Wallabies aren't even given much of a chance to build again anyway. Oh and i'm absolutely certain that guys like McCaw, Nonu & Carter would not be asked to step aside. If they were still up to it, they's be wisely handled and balanced with the up and and comer for their positions.
Ruck
Guest
Like England and Soccer? Or Oz and Aussie Rules/Gallic Football?......
Master Chief
Roar Pro
Yes, i agree that his appointment was rushed. I wrote an article about it. And instead of saying 'too early' i wish i had said something along the lines of 'if it turned out he was good enough' as i don't think the hot seat of coaching should be reserved but more so earn't beyond doubt. Which makes you wonder why they resigned him for so long ? Again-rushed. I don't know who should replace ( if it came to that). Plus i don't think he should be sacked yet. But if you really want to know, i'm a big Jake White fan. He was very close when Ewen got the job and no doubt wants it. I'm not sure either party are likely to go down that path now though. But there's so many quality coaches in the world that we don't have to worry about that. The real issue is if it would be right to sack Cheika ? You might be right about Larkham, but Cheika is still responsible. If we have a coach who's responsible for defending and a coach who's responsible for generating scoring then what does the head coach do ? They all combine together to form an approach but Cheika is the man.
Master Chief
Roar Pro
All of that might be true but it's all about results still. In the age of political correctness, i actually find Cheika quite refreshing. But none of it matters if the Wallabies can't do better.
Browny
Roar Rookie
Probably not worth copyrighting the idea... AFL is in it's second season of The Recruit now which is the same basic reality tv concept... sort of Idol meets Survivor with a guaranteed rookie contract at the end for the winner.
jaysper
Roar Guru
Not a pleasant comment and as you say, hopefully an off colour joke.
jaysper
Roar Guru
Despite Ruck's aggro approach, I agree also and have said for a while that Wallabies over performance has masked the bigger underlying problems with the ARU. Perhaps we have reached a tipping point where the Wallabies can no longer perform at their normal level (I doubt this is the case) due to the underlying issues or perhaps normal service will resume soon enough. Neither of these scenarios is terribly desirable.
jaysper
Roar Guru
Hey Chief, I didn't say Jettison them all immediately but rather they need to start the process NOW. The All Blacks have done it well this year, but they haven't always done it well. Also, I do wonder what would have happened if McCaw, Carter and Nonu had not chosen to retire from the ABs after the world cup. I would like to think that they ABs would have kicked them to the kerb. Perhaps not immediately, but within this playing year. But, if they hadn't it would have been a bad mistake witnessed by the fact that they are gone and the ABs are doing fine.
jaysper
Roar Guru
Hey Perth, but you still need to get the guy the help he needs. If it doesn't work out, then sure - do something about it. All this chopping and changing with coaches is no more productive that all the chopping and changes with players. . The ARU picked a coach they believed was the right person for the job (I personally didn't, but hey - they know more about this stuff than I do) and so they need to put the time and effort into him to see if he pans out. . Personally, I think they might look back and wonder if they made the right decision in dumping Dingo. But, that is in the past and Dingo is no longer and option, so they need to make the best of their current situation not make it worse.
Oliver Banks
Guest
I don't think that's true. I think we've all realised that Cheika is out of his depth, that's just a given now. His selections are a mess, and he's lost the plot on a number of levels that been well discussed. He came way too early to coaching the national squad, but he's in place and as far as everyone knows, the ARU aren't flush enough to pay out his contract. And then who would replace him? With Larkam it's slightly different. He's new to the head coach role, doesn't have the experience or yet, and he's yet to succeed in his Brumbies role. The Brumbies haven't moved on from the Jake White game plan, and are seemingly going backwards. Cheika needs a more experinced attack coach who can get the best out of Wallabys players. As a said originally, there really needs to be a selection panel that takes some of the pressure off him and acts as a sounding board. I'm certainly not saying it's just Larkam and not Cheika. But to fix the issues, I think Larkam needs to step down and concentrate on the Brumbies.
RobC
Roar Guru
Verisimilitude, Posted this earlier this week re the NPC: "I think the new rules a very good. I enjoy it a lot, as it promotes the good-old loose scrum. I think in due course more mauls in general play. Teams with speed, smarts and pod power will be rewarded. No more pilfers / cleanouts, hits in the ruck, zero holding on the pill, zero tolerance for flying into the ruck / off feet. More scrum-like contests over the pill of different formations" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ETTX0Brx6eg http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=acfBWGCQ8oQ
Master Chief
Roar Pro
The ARU were disgraced ?
PiratesRugby
Guest
Scott, I agree with you entirely.
Master Chief
Roar Pro
I can't believe Larkham seems to be getting more criticism than Cheika though.
Corporal Punishment
Guest
Hi Carl, I am an All Black supporter and I can't agree with you that Poite gave the AB's special treatment in that game. Watching the game the first time I felt he was unfairly penalising the AB's in the scrums and letting go a lot of niggle by the Wallabies that had he punished it early, he would have kept control of the game. Instead, I feel he somewhat lost control and just resorted to regular and at times ramdom penalties to slow the game down. The stats don't show that the AB's get special treatment - check out this article: http://m.nzherald.co.nz/rugby/news/article.cfm?c_id=80&objectid=11702631. My own belief is that the opposite is true - I think refs are often harder on the AB's because they subconsciously favour the underdog. Also they are influenced by the media campaigns that other teams conduct against players like McCaw. Which of us is right? Probably the truth is somewhere in the middle.
Oliver Banks
Guest
Larkam is performing two roles, neither team of his is performing well, particularly in attack. He's new to the head coach position, he needs to concentrate on the Brumbies. Also, it seems Cheika is becoming his mentor by default, which I'm sure is the best situation given the problems with t Wallabies. Lastly, Larkam attacking formations seem to be quite ineffective against well organised defenses, even in the RWC (apart from the Engalnd match) our attack structures didn't work. The Wallabys need to full time offensive coach who has a track record - why not bring back Jim McKay, he had Cooper and Tomua playing very well together (I know Tomua is now not an option) but Kerevi outside Cooper would make a good combo given the right coaching. So unless Cheika , guiding Larkam in the way to setup the attack (which I doubt as the Brumbies use the same formations) then the issue is with Larkam.
Scott
Guest
Pirate, It disgraced the ARU as well as the team
RobC
Roar Guru
Chief, I believe you mistake my opinion is based on style. The issue with Jake Ball is not the style. The problem is its method, in particular the defence oriented contest you speak of, is out of date.They can get away with it in France. But it's ruled as spoiling and obstruction here. It's obsolete here in SH. The Brums use a more up to date version it, and is a major disappointment. The results are vividly clear Secondly the skills needed by forwards in particular is out of White'a skillset. The skills, systems and approach needed for the modern engagement is more foreign to him than any coach you'll find here. I can think of more than 5 coaches who would be more effective than White. In any case as I opined, it's not about the coach. It's about the policy direction of the game. A helicoptered coach will be a recipe for disaster
Master Chief
Roar Pro
Good to hear Rob C All i can say is that i respect the preference for a particular style many believe Jake White might threaten, but i don't agree with it. So we're poles apart on that. But i think you will proven to be wrong about him or someone like him not being able to do more than Cheika. I'm convinced of the opposite. While we're on this subject, i think he's clever enough to find a balance between his own style and what the public apparently want to see without sacrificing a winning intention. I would put my Roar cred on the line for that. Personally. i love the arm wrestle anyway. But the point is we shouldn't deny ourselves the best coach because of style or nationality.
Faith
Guest
Ruck, the point you raise about the lack of self-critical attitude is spot-on. Just watching the S.A v ABs RWC '15 semi-final in which all players are so committed so professional and serious and then watching the last Wellington match - the mouthing off from Fardy and Mumm, Cheika's antics. And this goes back to the 3 amigos and the ongoing drama in Aus rugby. Kearns behaviour is also part of all this - undue self-regard, blinkered judgment on Aus skills and a victim mentality. It seems to be AU rugby culture has a lot of talent but real cultural problems. Cheika's own issues: belief in thugby and a lack of emotional self-control has tipped over the problematic culture. I think the WBs have to win the next match but it will be interesting to see how they go against Argentina. As for playing the ABs the WBs will never win against them till Cheika goes. Bad selections. When they manage to bring some attitude they lose their heads, skills and manners ...