If Cheika’s team loses to Argentina on Saturday, many rugby fans feel that the Wallabies will be prime candidates for the mythical last place prize in this year’s Rugby Championship.
If they’re defeated in Canberra, a win in the return match in Mendoza seems doubtful. And a victory over the Springboks in Bloemfontein seems even more unlikely as winning in the Republic has always been a tough call.
If this happens and the Wallabies finish in the cellar, it might be excused by the ARU and its employees as a mere hiccup on the way to a great showing in the 2019 Rugby World Cup.
But will it be just an eructation, or a more serious internal problem?
Unlike the main competition – the All Blacks, England, Ireland, Wales, Scotland and France, all of whom have the nucleus of a starting fifteen more or less in place – the Wallabies don’t have a lot of positions nailed down.
Israel Folau, Kurtley Beale, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Sekope Kepu, Adam Coleman, Rory Arnold and David Pocock get most people’s vote, but even then there’s debate about our best second-row pairing, and the makeup of the backrow and the back three generates endless arguments.
This unhappy situation is not lost on our competitors. They see us as the damaged fish in the reef whose quirky swimming is quickly spotted by predators with the inevitable result.
Our current situation seems to be an Aussie thing. For example, I was in Victoria, BC on business last week and caught a local game. One of the teams had a No.6 who was six five, 108 kgs. He hit the breakdowns hard, flattened ball carriers in defence, and when he had the ball busted tackles and gained large amounts of real estate.
If an amateur club in Canada can field a 6 like that, why can’t the Wallabies?
Jimmy
Guest
You two would get on well then.
Drongo
Guest
You are such a great role model for all Kiwi fans. Keep it up, you do your country proud and display the characteristics we all have come to know and expect. A shining example for the world to see.
julius
Guest
When has the ARU ever had "100s of million dollars" to squander?
Bill
Guest
Unfortunately we will not have done badly enough to warrant substantial change.
Mielie
Guest
The day the Wallabies reach that point in their lives, where the absolute privilege of qualifying to pull the Wallaby Rugby jersey over their heads means more than the money they are receiving, only then will they again be able to play the game that is played in heaven. The killer, winner attitude ,has been lost somewhere.
Ed
Guest
TEAM IN: Marika Koroibete, Izack Rodda OUT: Curtis Rona, Rory Arnold 1. Scott Sio (35 Tests) 2. Tatafu Polota-Nau (74 Tests) 3. Sekope Kepu (83 Tests) 4. Rob Simmons (74 Tests) 5. Adam Coleman (14 Tests) 6. Ned Hanigan (6 Tests) 7. Michael Hooper (c) (71 Tests) 8. Sean McMahon (18 Tests) 9. Will Genia (vc) (81 Tests) 10. Bernard Foley (vc) (48 Tests) 11. Reece Hodge (16 Tests) 12. Kurtley Beale (63 Tests) 13. Tevita Kuridrani (50 Tests) 14. Henry Speight (15 Tests) 15. Israel Folau (58 Tests) Reserves 16. Jordan Uelese (1 Test) 17. Tom Robertson (12 Tests) 18. Allan Alaalatoa (15 Tests) 19. Izack Rodda (1 Test) 20. Jack Dempsey (2 Tests) 21. Nick Phipps (54 Tests) 22. Samu Kerevi (10 Tests) 23. Marika Koroibete* *denotes uncapped
bluffboy
Guest
Yes, yet another article of coulder, shoulder, woulder and maybe's. What we the Rugby Diehards, the Backbones of the sport played in heaven, the ones that game is played for, when is the line drawn in the sand. When are the Board (ARU, Coaching Team and Players) held accountable to the Shareholders(the rest of us paying there wages). Surely in the real world we all live in this question would never be asked as the policies would already be in place. For this shareholder Step -1 Sack the Board (if they had any sort of morality the would just step down) The new board to have equal representation from all the States and Territories(thus ending the boys club). Step-2 Create a mandate that all franchise clubs squads MUST have 1 Third Players from the Local Clubs within that State, 1 Third Rep Players (as it is now) and 1 Third international Players. Step-3 Change the stupid rule that players have to play in Australia to be able to be selected for the Wallabies. Changing this will allow local players to gain international experience, make some money (as this seems to be the driving force at the moment) and the gap in the franchises can be filled with other internationals(step -2). It would be up to the player to have is his contract with overseas clubs set up for this. Step -4 Appoint a Coach and Staff that have a Plan for progressive success with a view to 2023 World Cup. To expect any earlier would only give cause to article writers punch holes in a boat that hasn't been built yet. Who knows success could be well before then. (it wont be with what is going on now) The way Cheika and the ARU are going is the very definition of madness. Trying the same players and plan over and over and expecting a different result. (the result I'm talking about is consistently winning) Step-5 If to represent your country is the goal players to be paid a retainer with performance bonuses. Step-6 To be a Wallaby or a Super Rugby Payer is a full time job, so all players are to available to conduct weekly coaching Clinics for local Rugby Clubs at multiple sites(except while on touring duties) divide and conquer. We need to get the supporter base back and get the pride and ambition back into the future Super/Wallabies. What I want and I guess most fans of rugby want is change and more importantly to be seen to be making a change. Tweaking is not what we want or expect because that is the definition of madness as the results have shown. Let get the sucks steps to success
Jock Cornet
Guest
The ARU have completely failed to develop pathways. We need people like Twiggy as the ARU are squandering 100s of million dollars for their own greed
Isupport2teamstheAB'sandanyoneplayingAustralia
Guest
Mmm yeah... already know Wobblies are rubbish
Objective
Guest
If a team loses all its games, it comes last. What a revelation.
Sage
Guest
That's 3 minutes I'll never get back