The Wallabies’ match attracting the most attention at the moment is not their next one, but the one following that.
And weirdly, the one being overlooked is a Test match while the one getting all the attention most certainly is not.
The Wallabies have commenced preparations in Brisbane for Saturday night’s third Bledisloe Cup fixture of the year, and there is no doubt that that game will take the lion’s share of rugby media attention as it gets closer.
Yet strangely, the Barbarians match in Sydney on October 28 has been getting the headlines, solely because former Wallabies Grand Slam-winning coach Alan Jones has been drawn, briefly, back into the coaching game.
But there’s one huge question hanging over this game, and not even the game itself being played will render the question irrelevant.
What is the actual point of the Wallabies playing the Barbarians in Sydney in October?
For starters, it’s awkwardly timed. it is wedged in between the final Bledisloe Test and the first match of the Spring tour, where the Wallabies will play their first ever Test against Japan in Yokohama.
If there was going to be a game worth some advance attention, surely it would be what is genuinely a piece of rugby history being made.
Only four matches have been played between the two nations, with the last two being Rugby World Cup fixtures, and the most recent of those in France just over a decade ago.
Australia, of course, played New Zealand in Tokyo en route to Europe back in 2009, a match played for much the same reasons I suspect are driving this Barbarians match.
And the reason can’t be about getting game time, either.
The last weekend in October would have been the final rugby-free weekend before the Wallabies headed to Japan, Ireland and Britain, and if squad members genuinely needed a hit-out, isn’t that what the NRC is played at this time of year for?
Further complicating things is that the John Eales Medal is on the Thursday night before the Barbarians game, deliberately scheduled after the Rugby Championship and Bledisloe Cup were complete, and then allowing voting for the 2018 medal to commence on the Spring tour.
(AAP Image/Paul Miller)
So the Wallabies, having come off a pretty tough TRC and Bledisloe campaign will be asked to prepare for a game on home soil they cannot afford to lose, with a disrupted preparation and on what was going to be their last weekend off before the end of year tour.
Are we sure this a good idea?
The Jones factor adds all new layers of complexity. Though he has long been, and remains, a strong supporter of Michael Cheika, Jones has always allowed his name to be thrown up as a potential Wallabies coach, despite having not coached rugby for more than 30 years.
He even ‘applied’, in a manner of speaking, to replace John Connolly back in 2009, and then never let up on Robbie Deans, the man rightly appointed ahead of him.
He’s never been short of opinions on the state of Australian rugby, and as the only coach to have led a Wallabies side on a Grand Slam tour of Great Britain and Ireland, his opinions are sought and respected.
He still clearly enjoys rugby, loves it even, and this has led to him often being portrayed as some kind of saviour of the game in this country. Not that he’s ever felt the need to downplay this portrayal, mind you.
His infamous “return to the game” announcement via social media back in July is a great example of this.
He was more than happy to soak up the immediate attention and speculation this drew at the time, but the announcement itself – that he was going to coach the Barbarians – was massively underwhelming.
The match itself, therefore, shapes as the classic lose-lose situation for the Wallabies.
They can’t rest players, even though guys like Tatafu Polota-Nau, Adam Coleman, Michael Hooper, Bernard Foley and even Israel Folau have probably earned the right to sit a game like this out, because this would be seen as Cheika not taking the game – the non-capped, barely international game – seriously.
(Photo by Tim Anger)
They also can’t now pick guys on the fringe who have been named in the Baabaas squad, because that would be seen as the Wallabies and the ARU undermining Jones’ return.
Equally, if the Wallabies win and especially if they win well, the reaction will be ‘so they should have’. If they lose, the ‘Jones for Wallabies coach’ machine will crank up all over again.
Jones has said he wants to recognise now-former Western Force players, which he’s certainly done in naming nine of them in his initial 24-man squad.
And while that’s admirable, it comes at the cost of completely undermining the Perth Spirit’s run to the NRC finals, where they could be without anywhere up to a dozen players for the final round match on the same day against Queensland Country.
Four other teams in finals contention will also lose players to the match.
Spirit coach Kevin Foote said a few weeks ago of the prospect, “If we need to take 15 new club guys away [for the final match], we will. I certainly don’t oppose releasing players at all.” Because what else could he say, really?
So again, what will seriously be achieved by the Wallabies playing the Barbarians on October 28?
The answer, sadly, can only be financial. Because when everything is laid out like this, it just doesn’t make sense by any other measure.
DaveR
Guest
"nothing more than an opposed training run, one they dont need" Based on their performance over the last 2 years, I would say they need as many training runs as thet can get, and more.
Campbell Watts
Guest
Nice Crazy! Shooting him down multiple times!! I cant speak for everyone but I certainly get tired of TWAS's completely predictable, ground hog day repetitive, defence of ANY ARU criticism on this site. Keep sticking it to the man! Particularly as you make so many valid points!
Crazy Horse
Roar Pro
There is always room for long term planning in any successful enterprise. Those who only concentrate on the immediate are destined to fail.
Mielie
Guest
Why?? Because its Rugby mate. And that is the point of the game A first class national team against a team, made up of players representing first class teams around the world, some of whom don't even speak the same language as one another, but they understand Rugby. What a game to look forward to! Remember the days the Springboks were persona non grata in the Rugby world. It was so disappointing. Among all the demonstrations and flower bombs and general huha all over the world, the French still played them, the Poms, the Welsh the All Blacks and more. The reason, because people love their Rugby. But did the Aussies play them ? No.Politics I'm not talking politics here, I'm talking Rugby. Perhaps this is why the Barbarian match is of little importance. A distinct lack of passion for Rugby in Australia.
Nigel
Guest
All supporters of Australian rugby are interested in the Babas game for one reason and one reason only, they disagree with Cheika and his selections and the direction in which the Wallabies are headed!!! They want another champion to select another group of players that are capable of providing the rugby public with a different direction, any direction, they want to see Cheikas Wallabies beaten!!!
DaveR
Guest
Or another point of view CM, each member of the disastrous ARU board is supposed to bring significant and relevant knowledge and experience to the board table. Of the three women directors, only one appears to have any prior exposure to rugby (in NZ). Thats 3 out of 8 directors (was 9 with Geoff Stooke). On that basis its important to have a discussion about the composition of the board. And AJ might just start that conversation. The ARU's "more enlightened" perspective? Hows that going for them?
rebel
Guest
So it's a cool down match.
marfu
Guest
It's all about the money but I can't see it pulling much of a crowd so ARU make even cop a loss on it. Also I think Barbarians games have lost a bit of their appeal as they are usually played in an open entertaining style which was in contrast to the normal dour grinding 9 man rugby Tests whereas today matches seem to be more open with the ball going wide earlier than it used to instead of rucking it up. Also complete absence of northern hemisphere players robs it of the chance to see exciting players that we don't get to see down here.
John R
Roar Guru
You don't reckon McGregor will be ready? You're probably right to be fair. He must be barely over 20, so slow and steady! If the Rebels have another injury plagued year though, something that Lance is unfortunately prone to, then who knows what will happen.
John R
Roar Guru
TWAS is talking about the game of three halves the AB's played against Counties and Taranaki TMan
Diamond Jackie
Roar Rookie
Not much point in the game except that it will be fascinating to watch!! Not enough international players playing for the BaaBaas unfortunately.
Taylorman
Guest
Samoa? Yes, first test in seven months, and it was a test match. Dont see how the Wallabies arent warmed up to need this. Lions had one here too, but that was a first match in NZ against lower level players to give them a taste of NZ rugby. How is a Jones coached, NRC team, in Oz after several test matches already going to prepare this side for the northern hemisphere?
Carlos the Argie
Roar Guru
Hi Geoff! I am truly sorry that you lost your knee. I don't know how old you are, but knee replacement is a very dramatic procedure. And painful. Take the drugs for the prevention of pain because once you have it it is more difficult get rid of it. Knees are interesting joints. Despite having played rugby for over 45 years, running extensively, my knees are in surprising good health. Last year I had a massive crash skiing and the right knew had a meniscus torn. Surprisingly, recovery has been great. The only sport I have to be cautious about is tennis. Too much stopping and turning on hard courts brings problems. Any of these sports puts a lot of strain but only tennis affected me. Well, my reconstructed shoulder doesn't allow me to play tennis anyway so I have the perfect excuse. But my four year younger brother has disasters as knees. He is in a certain path for replacement. It is amazing that despite having the same genes we could have had such a big difference. I have worked for years in arthritis and bone damage, but mostly in rheumatoid. The drugs that work there have no effect on osteoarthritis, which is so frustrating! The osteoarthritis field needs great discoveries. Take care and do all the rehab. I strongly suggest road bicycles. They are marvelous for strengthening the muscles around the knee and putting little impact on the bones. You would look great wearing lycra. It will force you to lose weight otherwise you would look funny, MAMILs are ready for public scorn. Excess weight is a huge enemy of rehab for the knees, hips and ankles.... Enough proselytizing.
DavSA
Guest
Thanks man .Had a listen in ......Gotta say he was very fortunate not to lose an arm though.
DavSA
Guest
Machooks , I didn't quite finish the chat from the other day and this comment prompted me...The "Rat and Parrot " in Grahamstown .Ahh but it is a beautiful place .Great debates have taken place there.( apologies Alan Paton). Were you In G-Town during the Arts festival?
Dave_S
Guest
Totally agree. Rest the key players + get some minutes into the legs of the fringe players = win win. Vice versa = lose lose.
Crash Ball2
Guest
The Cheika version is: Definites VS Blokes I Don't Like.
Jack
Guest
We shall see. The Wallabies have not beaten a side ranked above for years. Four wins this season. Italy, Fiji and the Pumas. Not exactly a grand slam. The Tahs would be hard pressed to beat this ba ba side so the a Wallabies may struggle.
soapit
Guest
nothing on them, except for valuable points in the 10 Nations Championship!
soapit
Guest
would think it'll be a fairly heavy second string side. gives rest where needed and has an excuse ready if they lose. good game time for the 2nds.