The Wallabies kicked off their spring tour in style with a 63-30 win over Japan in Yokohama on Saturday.
So, what did we learn?
1. Hodge steps up again
Everything that Michael Cheika asks of Reece Hodge, he does. And with a minimum of fuss. He took over at five-eighth in the absence of Bernard Foley and performed admirably.
Hodge showed deft hands to assist the second try, sending Henry Speight through untouched from Australia’s pet play ‒ inside ball to the blind winger from a lineout. He also kicked a flawless nine from nine conversions.
It wasn’t all perfect. There were some wobbly passes and a tendency to get caught in the ruck from restarts when he’d be more use kicking clear. The caveat is that this was only Japan, but it’s to Hodge’s credit that it always felt like this was ‘only Japan’.
2. One hardworking international hooker, **FREE** to good home
Not content to be a stopgap between Stephen Moore and the next generation, Tatafu Polota-Nau means business. Against Japan, Polota-Nau was involved in everything. He made 13 carries (his most in Wallaby gold) and picked up a try off the back of a rolling maul.
Yet, despite being the standout hooker in Australia at the moment, he finds himself without a club for 2018. By backing the Western Force to survive, Taf didn’t get around to making other plans. This all comes after his proposed move to Bristol in 2016 fell through due to injury.
He surely won’t be without a team for long, even if the offer comes from Europe or Japan. If that’s the case, the Australian conference will be losing one of its most devoted servants. Aside from anything else, the man’s just an absolute joy.
3. Special Ks take centre stage
There was never going to be a great deal of subtlety from a centre pairing of Samu Kerevi and Tevita Kuridrani. The 100+kg Fijian duo are both designated crash ball carriers and therefore not a natural combination.
Yet what they lacked in playmaking ability, they more than made up for in raw power. Kuridrani picked up a hattrick of tries, while Kerevi chewed off 168 metres, including ten tackle busts and two tries of his own.
One of those tries was the clear highlight of the match. Speight recovered well from a loose Hodge pass to break the line and find Kurtley Beale in support. Beale popped the ball to a rampaging Kerevi who held off the cover defence, leapt over the line and slammed the ball down as if dunking a basketball. Brilliant to watch.
(Photo by Matt Roberts/Getty Images)
4. Still plenty to work on for Cheika
It’s something of an anomaly that the Wallabies managed to score nine tries with just 33 per cent territory. It speaks to the their ability to score clinical tries from distance, but it’s also an indictment of their patience and game management at times.
Conceding 30 points is a concern in games such as these. They started well, but mistakes crept in as the game wore on. Australia missed 31 tackles and conceded a whopping 17 penalties, several due to errors at the breakdown.
Better sides will punish such sloppiness, of course. For now the Wallabies can savour another win and ready themselves to lift again in the UK.
5. Bring on 2019!
If Saturday was anything to go by, the 2019 World Cup looks in safe hands. Nissan Stadium in Yokohama was heaving with fans who cheered throughout, despite the result.
Japan is a cultural outlier in the rugby world, but the people are embracing the sport wholeheartedly. As I mentioned in the match preview, the Brave Blossoms can’t dine out on their win over South Africa forever.
The national team must continue its development to remain relevant. But there’s certainly an unprecedented level of interest in the game on Japanese shores.
Japan is one of the world’s most compelling tourist destinations. From a rugby perspective, it has the requisite infrastructure and enthusiasm to stage one of the all-time great events. If the home side can progress from the group stage, you’re going to want to be among it. Be sure to keep some annual leave handy.
GusTee
Guest
I agree - in my book it is simply corporate thug tactics at work. Time to move on Mr Clyne - Australian rugby union neither needs nor wants you.
Sage
Roar Rookie
Well your negative comment angle certainly isn't new.
Sage
Roar Rookie
I don't think even you believe that.
Sage
Roar Rookie
I don't think you can classify the Blossoms as "minnows". They've knocked off 3 tier 1 nations now and they didn't look out of place at all in this game. In fact their last 10-15 minutes were very impressive. There was no fatigue difference in the last 20 as some predicted. Obviously there is plenty more work to do but overall a sound performance. They will be something to watch in 2019 I think.
Sage
Roar Rookie
Or maybe they just happen to have the same opinion as Fionn and PK which they came to all on their own - as frustrating as that may be to you who disagrees. It could be that rather than them being parrots that don't think for themselves. Just a little high handed there RW.
P2R2
Roar Rookie
Japan - WBs beat Japan....what else is new...? I expected them to do so, so no use get over excited about it....with NH sides coming up - that will be the litmus test....Japan....pffff...
ForceFan
Guest
The 6th Talking Point from Japan v Wallabies Indo Pacific Rugby Championship – Tokyo Meeting 5 November, 2017 in News, Featured, IPRC, #IPRC by Khuram Haroon Representatives from the following World Rugby Full Member unions travelled at the invitation of IPRC to hear the ideas being put forward for the Region to be able to host this high level competition, the Indo Pacific Rugby Championship starting in 2019 1. Chinese Taipei 2. Guam 3. Hong Kong 4. India 5. Indonesia 6. Malaysia 7. Philippines 8. Pakistan 9. Thailand 10. UAE The IPRC is being funded by philanthropist Mr Andrew Forrest from Australia. Andrew met all the attendees in person and commented, “It was fantastic that so many people from so many different unions were able to get up to Tokyo at such short notice to hear what we had to say about the exciting future of Rugby in the Region. Although we were only able to send out invitations on Monday this week, yet the enthusiasm and willingness of so many unions to get here, despite the obvious difficulties with short notice and possible visa issues, was truly outstanding. Unions that would otherwise perhaps not have been able to hear us first-hand seized the opportunity to travel up and hear what the future possibly held for everyone” “It certainly bodes well for us to see the willingness and ability of Asia Rugby to respond so quickly and positively to the initiatives being put forward.” Asia Rugby’s World Rugby Council Member, Trevor Gregory, who was one of those who attended said, “This is an amazing opportunity for us in Asia to really develop the game at the performance level. World Rugby,Rugby Australia and Asia Rugby are on the same page and are all now working closely together to try to ensure the success of this visionary project which can provide a stepping stone for many of our participating unions to the next level. This will affect not only the players, but for the unions themselves; their infrastructure and support, including administration and match officiating. It is even more exciting that we are talking about not just the men’s game, but also women’s competitions as well, both at 15’s and 7’s. I am personally delighted that this very important meeting was able to take place.and our thanks to Andrew and his team for their inspirational vision as detailed in a very professional presentation. ” https://www.asiarugby.com/2017/11/05/indo-pacific-rugby-championship/
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Guest
Again Reverse Wheel 'the problem is with you'. Do you really need to get personal when you disagree with someone? You dont even know the poster. Cliff was a tad OTT regarding his Cheika crit but I agree with one thing already proven - Foley may have got us to a WC final (or not) but to win one we need a more skilled bloke at 10. Cheika does a few things very well. But there are things he does poorly. Partisan Selection and Bench use are areas that Cheika has accumulated fails in IMO.
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Guest
Reverse Wheel, when I think of 'annoying' and 'Groupthink' posters on the Roar, Fionn and PeterK do not come to mind. Their arguments, while I am not always in absolute agreement, are usually logically and respectfully argued. Your posts on other other hand I bave found to be abrasive and relatively illogical. Your stance on Cooper for example seems to be very 'Groupthink'.
Dubaikiwi
Guest
I suspect your quite wrong, most kiwis could not care less about Chieka, unless they are playing the AB’s. and even then not a lot.
Rusty743
Guest
I like the al of this post!! Where is the like button on the Roar??
double agent
Guest
Yeah right...
Sue Fudge
Guest
We we're at the game. Plenty of beer. We had a girl come down during the game with 2 six packs. When she sold them she came back with 4. It was so heavy for her she had to sit down. Sa her a few times during the games.
Cliff (Bishkek)
Guest
So you believe that all of the above listed players who are not performing, are good selections? Sorry but the majority are beyond their use by date. And others should never be in the team; Hanigan and Robertson in particular. They cannot perform the basic requirements of their positions. I do not make that comment on the basis of 1 x game. I have watched both and discussed both regularly. I was prepared to give both Robertson his time - but he did not perform. I was prepared to give Hanigan his time - but he also has not performed. Rebuilding is well and good, but when Robertson has never held up a scrum successfully since being appointed, then he must go. Similarly Hanigan has not been effective at all. So he must go. That is selection weakness - a Coach does not hang onto players who are not performing. So that is Cheika's weakness. Not a case of rebuilding, but a case of continued selection. His rebuilding selections of both was worthwhile but a Coach does not continue down the same path. There is no problem with me on this. I look at where the weaknesses are in the players and the Coach. And I think I have picked the weaknesses of the early players and the Coach. a Coach must be able to reverse his selections and drop people when they are not doing the job as they should be. So let us get off the "high and mighty" - "Getting the Job Done" - it is not done yet and if after the EOYT and we succeed - then I will submit an apology! But I will not change my mind on Robertson and Hanigan until they are dropped and go away and improve and come back and do the job. Because right now, they are not doing the job. Similarly Simmons and Phipps are not performing as experienced international players should be. And as for your comment, "I think some of you just can’t cope with the reality that the man you’ve elected to hate is getting the job done" - it is a little early to make that comment!! The job is not done and the team is not performing at a level to state that. It is a work in progress.
Morsie
Guest
That is a pathetic and deeply ignorant comment. He took them to the world cup final beyond all expectation. He has rebuilt this team and it continues to be a work in progress.
Morsie
Guest
Yes. I suspect that most of these endlessly critical commentators are really Kiwis.
Morsie
Guest
And of course Hooper is a Waratah player. Who could ignore that.
Dave_S
Guest
Agree, franchises are rarely loyal to players when it doesn’t suit them. I have always wished players well when they chase the good o/s coin. For the same reason, I don’t decry the rise of player managers - most of these players are relative kids compared to the old heads who run the franchises. Anyway, I hope Taf lands on his feet, he deserves it more than most.
bruce bridges
Roar Rookie
Counter arguement is that he broke the team in the first place.
Fionn
Guest
For what it's worth I thought Phipps had a good game after the first 10mins which were disgusting. He can definitely defend better than Powell and offers a much better running game, but his passes are so wild still so often and he throws them so hard. Powell has a really nice, soft pass despite not offering a running threat.