There’s no denying that the Wallabies have made it pretty tough to be an Australian rugby fan this year. With all the relentless criticism and condemnation of our national side, now it’s time for one last rally of hope and encouragement as our boys finish off the Super Rugby season and prepare to fight it out in the Rugby Championship.
The June Tests started with a promise from Michael Hooper that their Super Rugby form would not show on the international stage. Three poor performances later and the Australia rugby community has turned on the Wallabies.
There is a lot of criticism. It’s very, very harsh, it’s not overly helpful.
After just one quick scroll through a comments section on The Roar, it’s pretty clear that people are pissed off. Hey, I am too. It’s frustrating to see our boys constantly underperform.
The Super Rugby season has been a mess. Rumours continue to circulate about the future of the competition, and all of our teams have drastically underperformed and underwhelmed. The Brumbies now remain are only hope to restore some pride in Australian rugby in the finals.
While the gulf between the standard of Australian rugby and that of our New Zealand counterparts continues to grow, it’s hard to see any light at the end of this dark, dark tunnel.
Overnight internet sensation Jack Quigley had the right idea. The lack of passion and dedication shown in our national side is probably the most frustrating thing of all.
If Michael Cheika was true to his word, that he pinned that post up on the wall of the change rooms, I seriously hope that the message has got through to players.
For the sake of Australian rugby, I will give them the benefit of the doubt; that the message has got through, that the last couple of weeks have been a grim wake-up call and that there has been some serious soul searching going on in that same change room.
(AAP Image/David Moir)
This result of this ongoing public criticism is pretty evident on the field.
Israel Folau crossed the line for his first try against Italy, but there were limited celebrations. It was more of a grimace.
Will Genia made a great break through the middle only to throw a pass over Bernard Foley’s head and into touch. With his confidence shot, he ambled back to position.
Rob Horne fumbled an offload, spoiling a good attacking play. Head down, he jogged back into the line.
There seems to be a real lack of confidence within the Wallaby camp and it stems from the ruthless attacks they are getting throughout the week.
Odds are they know their performances have been pretty average this year. They have definitely known about it this June.
So with this in mind, I ask the Australian rugby community not to cast aside any effort by our national side. Yes, it’s been a long, arduous and incredibly frustrating year as an Australian rugby supporter, but let’s instil a little confidence back in our team.
I’m personally pretty excited to see this attacking rugby that Cheika is preaching. It’s a shame that Sefa Naivalu went down, but we’ve got Henry Speight and Kurtley Beale coming back, Karmichael Hunt flourishing at inside centre, and Folau on an unprecedented try-scoring run.
Let’s get up for one more round, let’s try and give the Wallabies the confidence they need to pull off this high-risk high-reward style of game, let’s support them as they take on South Africa and the All Blacks.
Now that they’ve had their wake-up call, let’s give them the confidence and support of their fans.
Timbo (L)
Roar Guru
Peter, I don't like the idea of sacrificing a Jumper (not Jersey ;) ) at 6. The Line out suffers too much. Gill and maybe MacMahon and J. Reid are the Only Jumping 7's I know of. It is still just shuffling chairs to cover the missing Ruck skills.
redbull
Guest
I am confident that Wallabies will be smashed in RC. May win one at home against Argentina.
Oblonsky‘s Other Pun
Roar Guru
Pocock is nowhere near as fast as Hooper, but I think he compares favourably to Cane, SOB and most of the rest of the international gang, he's either a little bit faster or a little slow (comparable).
PeterK
Roar Guru
Timbo - I was saying Pocock is faster than Hanigan. If Hanigan is fast enough to run wide on the wing then surely Pocock is fast enough to cover the role of a 7 i.e IS dynamic enough. It is a myth that Pocock can't do a complete job, he is not slow. Just that he is not as quick as the quickest 7's like Hooper and Savea. TWAS stated the wallabies play their loosies on the wing i.e Hanigan is on the wing and I noted Pocock is as fast as Hanigan.
Timbo (L)
Roar Guru
TWAS, I think you misread my post I was responding to Peter K in the second half. I probably should have split it to avoid confusion. I get what a 7 does, Killing the 10/12 from the side of a defensive scrum has always been the first task. 6 (Kaino) takes out the 9. The wide channel running 7 is a bit of a myth and is a product of the Wallaby game plan. The role requires a fast and hard running forward, sure, the 7 is usually the best fit. Kiwis have been using Dane Coles or their other Hooker for this role. Kieren Reid does it from time to time. It requires the player to have good handling and passing skills, quite often they off load to a raging wing or back inside to a center.. The Northern Hemisphere sides that we can't seem to beat keep their Loosies a lot closer. In Haskell and Sam Cane's case, they rarely leave the comfort of home. Do we stick with our plan that doesn't seem to be working or go with the flow?
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
but surely until there is a complete restructuring of the current governance model Exactly. Exactly what is required. But without agreement from those unions who stand to lose standing and power, it cannot occur.
Nico'larse
Guest
Well said Puff. I don't really understand the limitations that the ARU face without the benefits of a centralised model... but surely until there is a complete restructuring of the current governance model, it's unlikely there will be significant change to the off field issues. Did anyone ever see the report and on governance that Arbib did all those years ago? What were its main recommendations?
Wardad
Guest
My heart is as Black as the Stygian Abyss but I have no probs barracking for the wee wallabies when they arent playing the ABs,indeed I have been known to defend then from some of their "fans " on other sites . I want to see the Wallabies strong enough to at least make me nervous when they play the ABs and to shut the swing low nonsense up when playing at "Twickers"
Waxhead
Guest
@kicked hahahaha THAT is exactly what I'm talking about. WHO is your suggested replacement coach ..................Lancaster.?? Are you serious - a failed pommy coach for Australia - total lunacy. You say there are other options out there - name them. I'll continue raising the bleeding obvious with you guys - put up or shut up.
kickedmyheight
Roar Pro
This is what I saw over the last three games. It is almost as if we went out expecting a victory similar to what the ABs did to Samoa and were shocked when the opposition actually matched or beat them.
Cassandra
Roar Rookie
Agree completely. I think this overconfidence, one not supported by the ability of the players, leads Hooper to kicking for the corner and taking the lineout instead of taking the three.
Train Without A Station
Guest
Agreed. For example Hunt is physical. But slipped off a few too many tackles. Was probably due to his enthusiasm. Doesn't complete the tackle though.
Train Without A Station
Guest
"People having an uninformed opinion about something they don't understand and proclaiming their opinion as being equally valid as facts is what is ruining the world. No one wants to do any research. They just want to be right". Made me think of you gman. You may have had years of club involvement just like me. But you make no effort to understand the ARU governance structure, voting power, etc. you have no interest in knowing what they actually have the power to do. You've just decided you want to blame them, and you'll fill in what for when you actually think of something.
Bags
Guest
Actually there are two brains in the human body - on in the head and one in the 'guts'. There is an increasing body of evidence linking poor health in either brain with poor health in the other. In addition, octopuses have nine brains - one in each tentacle and one in its centre. With fish, who knows. Anyway, no matter the smell I'll still turn up at the swamp to watch Southern Districts, and drive the family to juniors, and cook sangas.
Raymond Dickson
Roar Rookie
Good on you for being loyal to the Wallabies . I can remember not so long ago when John Hart and Taine Randall were the face of the ABs . If im honest they coped a pasting from all and sundry , did they deserve that probably not . The Wallabies were going through a golden period , in terms of players . The game was very different , it had more resemblance to league then rugby . But it all changed in 2003 , when England came along and bought serious competition for the ball . The breakdown could not be sealed off and players had to stay alive and competitive . The truck and trailer maul was born and rugby started to resemble rugby . Now its odd watching the Aussies media ripping into the lads , and people turning away in droves . If I can suggest just one thing , it would be good if Cheika bought some real direct style of rugby back to the Wallabies . I still think there pushing to wide , to early . Confrontation is always about attitude , get that right and who knows . Great article and good on you .
Rebellion
Guest
They're a bunch of uninspiring, self-entitled losers who are unworthy of public support. If they slash their own pay checks and put some passion into their work then maybe their situation will change. Chieka, Grey, Hoops, Robertson, Mumm, Horne... a bunch of blokes who make you want to put on an All Blacks jersey
kickedmyheight
Roar Pro
"Pointless and stupid to be offloading on Chieka when he's clearly the best and only coaching option Australia has." I am sorry but I call bullsh*t on that. There are many very good coaches running around world rugby at any one time and certainly many of them would jump at the chance of steering the Wallabies. Without doing my research, Stuart Lancaster was doing quite well with England before making some major mistakes under considerable pressure at their World Cup, if he has learnt and grown from those mistakes I wager he would do alright in Green and Gold. There are certainly other options out there.
Simoc
Guest
Only the wimps are criticizing the Wallabies and too many Ozzie union, so called fans, are wimps. The team started the international season by beating Fifi comfortably. Fiji went on to beat Scotland. A loss to Scotland had the feeble baying for blood as that is their only knowledge of the game. Lose, change everything, dumb as. The international season has just got underway for the Wallabies and it's a matter of putting together combinations. The Scots and Italians have already done that over the six nations championships. They're on track as the games get harder.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Do you understand the term "irony". It's ironic for you to call somebody one eyed when you refuse to acknowledge the governance structure.
EnoughisEnough
Guest
Hunt will be shifted to the bench as soon as Beale is back. It won't matter what Hunt does, unless Beale gets injured, Beale will be the Wallabies 12, outside his mate Foley. Cheika will justify the selection by saying they are an established and successful combination. Remember when the Tahs won SR mate, all good mate.