For reasons that I still can’t really explain, I immediately went to a Green Day song as the Wallabies confirmed their second consecutive draw against South Africa this season, 27-27 in Bloemfontein.
I walk this empty street / On the boulevard of broken dreams
‘Broken dreams’ is certainly nothing new when it comes to Wallabies supporters. Broken dreams have effectively been the default post-match position for Australian rugby fans for more than a decade now. And this Green Day song, ‘Boulevard of Broken Dreams’ – released around the same time (2004) this default feeling began, funnily enough – hits the mark in more than a few ways.
The verse before the line above feels scarily familiar, for instance.
I walk a lonely road / The only one that I have ever known
Don’t know where it goes / But it’s only me, and I walk alone
That could be Michael Cheika’s coaching executive summary, right there, particularly given the way the Wallabies have steadfastly stuck to their preferred method of play over his reign.
(Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images)
So, while I expected them to come out full of running in Bloemfontein, I did wonder how long it would last. Come the last ten minutes, the guys that started the game looked absolutely wrecked. The pace of the Wallabies game, coupled with the surprise pace of the South African game had me convinced it could only end in tears.
Kurtley Beale made a break on the counter later the game, coming out of the Wallabies half, and though it looked like he was going slower as he waited for support, I don’t know that he had too much more to give anyway. And the coach replaced him shortly after that, which kind of confirmed my suspicions.
But with all this said, the Wallabies damn near won.
They damn near lost, of course, but Elton Jantjies hooked his 79th-minute penalty.
Both sides will rue the missed opportunities, but that’s what happens after a draw. And as opposed to the Perth match a few weeks ago, where the draw was fair because neither Australia or South Africa really deserved to win, the Bloemfontein draw was a fair result because neither team really deserved to lose.
The Wallabies were great because they kept up their pace, and asked many more questions of the Springboks than were asked of themselves. They adjusted a few things on the run, made mistakes, but made some opportunities, too.
Bernard Foley had the rare issue of his kicks going too far, but aside from that turned out a pretty solid performance steering the side around. The Wallabies are so much more dangerous when Foley runs to the line, and with Beale perhaps not as good as he has been this year, the attacking structures remained strong.
I had a question on the pass for Folau’s try (and it wasn’t the last pass not pulled up), but that inside line has been a pet play well-used for a good while. They pulled it out at the right time and got the right reward.
South Africa were good because they just would not be beaten. Whenever the Wallabies scored, the ‘Boks made sure they were the next to score.
Despite Ross Cronje’s service – and why didn’t the Wallabies put more pressure on him as he danced sideways before passing? – and with Jantjies also struggling to find his target at times, the Boks played with exciting width and speed, with all their outside backs finding plenty of space to roam.
It was, in the end, a really enjoyable Test Match, and one I’m glad I set the alarm for.
That Wallabies were able to sustain their attack for so long and in the face of a pretty determined Springboks side was incredibly heartening.
Whereas after the Argentina Test in Canberra I was left lamenting the underwhelming first half (and considering the second half deserves much more memory space), this was a match in which the Wallabies left me feeling content that there is definitely an upward trajectory about them.
(Photo by Johan Pretorius/Gallo Images/Getty Images)
That’s not to say they’re world beaters suddenly, of course. But considering their overall level of performance of the side since the disappointment of the Sydney Bledisloe, it feels to me at least like we might be at least edging closer to the end of the Boulevard of Broken Dreams.
And this segues nicely into the other great musical highlight of the weekend – Richmond champion Jack Riewoldt crashing The Killers’ post-match concert at the AFL Grand Final and delivering a rendition of ‘Mr Brightside’ for which we should be glad his mic wasn’t turned right up. But he didn’t care how he sounded, he was having the time of his life.
There is a bright side to the Wallabies at the moment. Despite all the puzzling selection table surprises (does any know what the preferred lock combination is currently?), it is actually enjoyable watching a Wallabies side who are clearly enjoying playing the way they’re playing.
The disappointment of the final result came through in their body language. You could feel their pain. And that’s a great sign the connection is again strengthening. Part of me actually wishes the game was in Australia on Saturday night, sharing in the biggest football weekend on the calendar.
But as always, what they do next weekend and thereafter is much more important that what happened in Bloemfontein. Too often, the Wallabies have blown momentum like this and caused supporters to launch remotes at TV screens.
They now have a huge opportunity in Argentina and can still claim second spot on the ladder, which would’ve been gladly taken back in June.
rl
Guest
Oh true, which according to The Wisdom of Ralph makes it also grossly dissimilar to Crater's "time off" playing in France......
Timbo (L)
Roar Guru
Neutral, I am not delusional, I know full well that barring injury, Hoops' #7 Jersey and Captaincy are secure for as long as Cheika is at the Helm, which most likely means until the final hooter in the last pool match at the RWC in 2 years time. I dispute the massive engine claim. A lot of people say it and it has become a habit. I think he is very clever in the way he manages his workload, as a speedster, it is something that you have to do. Hoops has many great skills, speed included. But as I bang on week in week out, I am looking for balanced players that do all of their own roles well. Smith and Pocock may not be as fast but their work rate is just as high and they are world ahead at the breakdown. (There is more to a rucks than pilfering).
Timbo (L)
Roar Guru
Well it certainly seems that way. and that is the way that Cheika's game plan uses him. For all the claims of a big engine, I see him doing a lot of standing around and have never, ever, seen him successfully clean out a ruck. Bending over to pick up a ball takes 1/10th of the energy that it does to move a body. The claims of a big engine are out of context. You don't get as tired if you don't do any heavy lifting Ginea probably has the biggest engine but I don't see his accolades splashed across the media, probably because he is a back playing like a back. Take the time to look a both sides of the ledger and compare the 2 columns with the other talent available or that has left the country out of frustration. You never know, you might surprise yourself with the enlightenment. I will start you off: Hoops is top of the list for speed and agility which makes him a great pilferer, he is also great in open field tackles. Now look at the other jobs required of a traditional 7 and get back to me with the rankings there,
Timbo (L)
Roar Guru
No doubt, but take the time to look at the collective skills required for the back row and do this thought experiment: Would you want to run dual Hoopers? If no, why not? They are probably the same reasons I don't think we should have a single Hooper. How about Dual Haskells, O'briens, Todds or Pococks? Why is this a more attractive prospect. How about Dual Liam Gilsl, A. Savias or Sean MacMahons? Not quite the fetchers that Hoops is but all are realistic line out targets and half decent ball runners, allowing for more flexibility in the 6/8 combo.. The difference is that the second and third lists have a group of guys that can move bodies in the ruck and maul and make a dent with the ball under one arm. When you play Hoops there is a void left in those roles and the 6/8 pairing needs to cover that. So, 2 lineout jumpers, 2 Ruck Monkeys an injury cover for Lock, a heavy ball runner. This leaves no room for Scott Fardy, who is one of the best 6's going around but. Instead we get guys like Mumm, Hanigan and Simmons that don't have the speed and abrasiveness needed by an enforcer 6. I don't have a specific problem with Hoops, I have a problem with the imbalance an the compromise required at 6 needed to accommodate him.
Timbo (L)
Roar Guru
I watched him against the Spirit this weekend and he was nothing but trouble going into contact or attacking the ruck and maul. The core skills of an enforcer don't normally include speed, it's not like he is applying for the #6 position. Arnold is no faster and isn't as good in a maul or cleaning out a ruck. I am not saying Douglas should get the Job but he ticks a some extra boxes that Carter, Simmons, Tui, Rodda and Arnold don't.
marto
Guest
^ Urrrrrrrrrgh...Just Urrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrgh !!
graymatter
Roar Rookie
I did and had exactly the same thoughts. Its great when you have a lock that played sevens so has great skills and speed, and can play 7! Major talent and hope he gets a chance with the Brumbies - Maybe will have to move to 6?
Fionn
Guest
'It might not work for you but oz cant afford not to have both starting.' Weird, Taylorman, because lots of commentators who know a lot more than you DO believe that Aus can afford not to have them both starting. I think it is reasonable to assume that Cheika may one day decide to change a losing strategy, rather than just attempting, again and again, the same strategy which produces about a 40% win rate.
Taylorman
Guest
Yeah if hes playing rugby then thats fine. McCaws for me was completely different. He was older and his body was taking the knocks. He was trying to extend his player to be good enough to lead the team at the world cup. It wasnt for ebtirely personal reasons, it was as a result of a discussion with Hansen that the break would extend his chances of playing at the WCup in 2015, so it was very much for the team. You cant tell me a player like McCaw would rather be sitiing in a Letterman studio than captaining the ABs? Pocock is not 'saving' his body due to overplaying...he didnt play for three odd years from 2012, and this break is not 'for a World cup that they are defending'. Ozs world cup chances depend on a lot more than Pocock being fit so the reasoning is completely different. Looking at Oz in at least four matches so far I think theyd have won them all had Pocock been there...obviously everything else being the same...as we know an impossibility. For that reason alone Id have called for an SOS to the player, regardless of agreements and contracts.
Taylorman
Guest
Fionn its obvious Hooper will continue to play at 7 when Pocock returns. You keep wanting to put players in position Cheika has made it clear ten twenty thirty times that it isnt going to happen. Hooper will be at Seven, Pocock ...somwhere else...probably out of position at six or eight right through to the World cup. That is as obvious as the sun will rise tomorrow...somewhere at least, and as much as Foley will remain at ten through till then, unless a better player comes along. When did Pocock last play at seven when Hooper started under Cheika? Never. Deans started instead of Hooper back in 2012, but since rhen Hooper has cemented a starting position. It might not work for you but oz cant afford not to have both starting.
Jeffrey
Guest
Remove Trip Through Your Wires and replace it with Walk to the Water and I would rate it as u2's best album. Achtung Baby as it stands is the more complete album for me however.
The Neutral View From Sweden
Roar Guru
Thanks for that CUW. Had no idea. Love to learn stuff like that.
Fionn
Guest
I thought he was far better than Hooper in the RWC final tbh. In the RWC overall he was the best player by far for Australia (Fardy second). In fact, I think Pocock was arguably better than Carter, but both were truly great. Naisarani will definitely play 8, and I believe that RHP, Valetini or Higginbotham will show enough in 2017 to justify selection at 6. All three are primary line out targets, and Valetini is a big unit who can put on some huge hits and run the ball extremely well.
The Neutral View From Sweden
Roar Guru
It is a tricky question Fionn. I have seen too little of Pocock lately. Pocock in prime form is probably slightly better in my book, but if the WC final learned us anything, his strengths can be negated more easily than Hopper's strengths. About fitting them both in, also a tricky question. If there were standout alternatives for the Wallabies back row it would be an easier question, but in my book, there are no such alternatives at the moment. But I do agree that a back row is more about getting the balance right than playing the three best players on paper. Some highlight reel from the Wales game 2008. both Smith and Pocock were immense.
Fionn
Guest
Deans didn't even play both George Smith and Pocock when they were both in their prime. He gave them 40 mins each, like in that Wales Test in 2009. What a match that was from both of them. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iXLYBa5YIqw
Fionn
Guest
Neutral, do you rate him higher than Pocock? Because he should be competing with Pocock for the 7 jersey. Rather like the Smith vs Waugh debate, just pick the better one and don't try and fit both of them in, it doesn't work.
Fionn
Guest
'Prospective'
Fionn
Guest
You're not wrong, but don't you think you'd be feeling disheartened if you were a respective Wallaby given Cheika's selection criteria? Demonstrated form seems to play little role. When something isn't a meritocracy and is instead about favourites and intangibles it is hard to find motivation.
RahRah
Guest
"Stuck in the middle with you" Well I don't know why I came here tonight. I've got the feeling that something ain't right. I'm so scared in case I fall off my chair, and I'm wondering how I'll get down the stairs. Clowns to the left of me! Jokers to the right! Here I am stuck in the middle with you. Yes I'm stuck in the middle with you, and I'm wondering what it is I should do. It's so hard to keep this smile from my face. Losing control yeah I'm all over the place. Clowns to the left of me! Jokers to the right! Here I am stuck in the middle with you. Well you started off with nothing and you're proud that you're a self-made man yeah and your friends they all come crawling, slap you on the back and say Please . . . Please . . . Trying to make some sense of it all but I can see that it makes no sense at all. Is it cool to go to sleep on the floor? I don't think that I can take anymore. Clowns to the left of me! Jokers to the right! Here I am stuck in the middle with you. Stuck in the middle Stuck in the middle Clowns to the left of me! Jokers to the right! Clowns to the left of me! Jokers to the right! (Stuck in the middle) Clowns to the left of me! Jokers to the right! (Stuck in the middle) Clowns to the left of me! Jokers to the right! (uh-uh) Clowns to the left of me! Jokers to the right! Here I am stuck in the middle with you Well you started off with nothing and you're proud that your a self-made man. ah-ah yeah Now your friends they all come crawling, slap you on the back and say Please . . . Please . . . Well I don't know why I came here tonight. I've got the feeling that something ain't right. I'm so scared in case I fall off my chair, and I'm wondering how I'll get down the stairs. Clowns to the left of me! Jokers to the right! Here I am stuck in the middle with you. Stuck in the middle with you (ah-yeah) Stuck in the middle with you Here I am! Stuck in the middle with you With you, with you, with you ....
eagleJack
Roar Guru
To be fair Timbo thinks Hooper only plays to get onto the highlight reel. Even saying that he knows when the cameras aren’t on him, and stops trying at that point. Quite a talent Hooper possesses!