Over the weekend, three very different and unrelated things happened in three different locations that could all have a huge impact on the Australian rugby landscape in their own right. And all three are really exciting for very different reasons.
The first was the performance of Reece Hodge as Wallabies flyhalf. Hodge far from starred in his first outing in the Australian no.10 jersey, but what he did do was prove that not only will he be a very handy stand-in over time, but that once again, Michael Cheika knew what he was doing all along.
Perhaps only those close to Hodge, probably his Wallabies teammates, and obviously Cheika didn’t see any great risk in Hodge stepping in for the poorly Bernard Foley against Japan on Saturday. The rest of us were probably happy enough for the experiment to take place in Yokohama two years out, rather than during the 2019 Rugby World Cup itself.
But, it turns out that playing flyhalf is kind of like riding a bike, and I have to say, I loved Hodge’s comment going into the game, that he always thought he was a flyhalf playing in other positions anyway.
The Wallabies played a smart, but simple game plan to make life easier for Hodge, and it was noticeable how often Kurtley Beale popped up at first receiver to take the pressure off. Hodge played a simple distribution game that was built around letting Samu Kerevi and Tevita Kuridrani run wild and free in midfield, something they both did to great effect.
It’s easy to criticise Nick Phipps it seems, but he gets due credit here too, by looking to play wider from the ruck, to ensure Hodge wasn’t having to throw passes beyond his current skill base, and to also provide that extra bit of width for the midfield game.
It wasn’t perfect, and there were a lot of errors, but there was enough promise on display to move it into the ‘worth persevering’ column, rather than being discarded completely. I do wonder if Hodge at 10 might be best served by more creativity at 12, rather than the dual-unsubtlety of Kerevi and Kuridrani, but that’s something that can be refined over time. What it does mean is that Wallabies fans need not be so nervous about Foley walking anywhere near buses for the time being.
And in kicking nine conversions from nine attempts, Hodge has given Cheika a very nice headache for the rest of the Spring Tour. Is there merit to letting Foley just concentrate on playing flyhalf, and leaving the goal-kicking duties – at least – with Hodge? I think there is.
(Photo by Matt Roberts/Getty Images)
It’s always been unfair to judge Hodge’s kicking ability on his entirely misleading international record, where prior to this game against Japan, he rarely got to kick from anywhere but the painted mid-field ground signage. But Hodge kicked 36/52 at 69 per cent in Super Rugby for the Melbourne Rebels this season, including 10/14 conversions.
He essentially assumed the kicking full-time from around Round 8 and from then on landed 27/38, including 7/10 conversions.
Clearly, there’s still work to do, and equally, his record will be affected by still taking the long-range shots that he does. But if he can kick at the same success rate as Foley inside Foley’s range and then kick one from every three from beyond forty metres out, then the Wallabies are already in front.
In Toowoomba on Sunday afternoon, Taniela Tupou’s schoolboy YouTube video highlights played out for real, with what might well have been the perfect display of set piece domination and open field carnage for Queensland Country, in the second NRC semi-final against the well-beaten Fijian Drua.
The Fox Sports stats guys had him down for 15 runs and twelve tackles busts after an hour, and his match numbers were phenomenal in the end: 18 runs for 125 metres, 15 tackle busts, four line-breaks, two offloads, a try assist and two tries himself. If you didn’t have him in your fantasy team, you will do this weekend
Tupou becomes eligible for the Wallabies in time for the season-ending Scotland Test on November 25, and while his ball-carrying is effective and great for the highlights-makers, his scrummaging has been excellent during the NRC and will be of greater importance in the international game.
There’s a wide expectation that he’ll join the Wallabies in the UK after the NRC Final this Saturday, and on last Sunday’s display, why wouldn’t you.
(Credit: Sportography/QRU)
Finally, Sunday was described as a “transformative day” for the game in this neck of the woods, with agreement reached between and announced by Andrew Forrest’s Indo-Pacific Rugby Championship and Rugby Australia for a March 2019 kick-off.
What I’d presume will be a ‘Western Force’ team and five others to be named from the Indo-Pacific region will play a full home-and-away series plus finals. The five other teams will be announced for World Rugby to sanction at a board meeting on November 14, The West Australian reported on Sunday.
That World Rugby Sanction would seem fairly likely, too, with CEO Brett Gosper quoted in the IPRC media release:
“World Rugby is supportive of the IPRC’s objective to further help grow the game of rugby throughout the Indo Pacific region. This massive region of the world is a key priority of World Rugby’s mission to grow the game globally,” Gosper said.
IPRC appear to be maintaining that ‘Force’ players will remain eligible for the Wallabies despite not playing Super Rugby, on the basis that they are playing in an Australian-based side per Rugby Australia’s policy.
But, the competition’s integrity and viability will be won and lost by RA allowing repatriated Australian players to remain Wallabies-eligible by playing for one of the five other IPRC-based sides as well.
The strength of the five other IPRC sides is arguably more important than the strength of the Perth-based side; without it, few will want to watch one-sided thumpings, and even fewer will want to broadcast or sponsor it.
The in-principle agreement between IPRC and RA – and with it, the likely World Rugby endorsement – is an important first step, which while providing a curious alternative to Super Rugby (and maybe even a blueprint for future versions thereof), also ensures the NRC won’t be impacted, nor its best players lured to a rival competition.
The challenge now will be the sign-off on Australian players filling the five other teams, and then the really hard job of convincing overseas-based players to return home before the 2018-19 northern season begins.
Sluggy
Roar Guru
In response to Timbo 11:11 - It is a bit of a problem having only two guys strapped as jumpers, when the opposition have four and can gang up on them to steal throws. The answer to this may be to have a 6' 5" + #six like Fardy, and a proper size #eight. We were fortunate in past years to have Rocky Elsom, preceded by Owen Finnigan, and some tall timber at 8. We don't have it right at the moment. On the other hand Lukhan Tui is 6' 6", and if he nails himself into the #six jersey there are some #eight tyros in the mix, so by 2019 ... The problem with that is you can't fit all of Pocock. Hooper and McMahon (and Gill) into the team, but many coaches would like to have that problem. And having Tui at #six at least means you can play one of them at #seven, and one on the bench, for flexibility.
Sluggy
Roar Guru
Regarding the shooter defence, to paraphrase "Bomber" Harris, "nobody has tried it properly yet, so we shall see". It seemed to work better in Brisbane. Beale was making some good hits from 12. Let's see what Gatland & fast Eddy do to unlock it over the next couple of weeks.
Timbo (L)
Roar Guru
More ARU Lies! ;) He was never good at Banking either. His second Parliamentary inquiry appearance is part of a pattern, not a coincidence.
Timbo (L)
Roar Guru
The Foley debate is a tough one. Can we agree that we are trying to make a choice between the least worst. Quade's defense is worse than Foley's 10 minutes in the chair is worth -7 to -14 points per event. Foley may miss 6 points off the tee. Not saying Foley's Defense is much better, just less bad. Quades attacking play, ranges from Sheer brilliance to WTF?, The consistency isn't what it needs to be. My selections are always going to be biassed toward good defender over flashy attack, but if you move the slider to an attacking focus, Quade all the way. Still think Jono is the overall, best balanced package we need. But we should be looking to the children. Lets get our U20's Heroes some time on the park instead of living in the shadows of imports and mediocrity.
Timbo (L)
Roar Guru
Yes, your auto correct is awful! But I got the message. When you are defending in enemy territory it is customary to have at least 2, often 3 players drop back to defend against positional kicks. Common practice is FB Wing/FB 14 and 10 as they all tend to have a good return boot and the ability to crack open a scattered defense. If you are kicking for territory you need 4 decent lineout Jumpers, which doesn't fit the Dual 7's strategy as the Number 8 tends to be that guy. Seany is OK in the air, but no more than a secondary option. Liam Gill is the answer, but that isn't an option any more.
Fionn
Guest
I don't think that I am particularly adept at analysing defence patterns so will leave it to those who can. All I can see is that it has seemed to have worked better and better since we seem to have fewer random shooters since Bledisloe 1. Our defence seemed to work against the All Blacks in Brisbane. I won't knock something if it is working. I attribute the missed tackles vs the Japanese as us getting overconfident and losing our shape.
Sluggy
Roar Guru
And the defence pattern?
Bakkies
Guest
Still waiting for those Answers to those Questions on Notice from Rob Clarke.
Forceright
Guest
In addition, some people may be interested in a couple of docs just released by the Senate. Very interesting info! https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Senate/Community_Affairs/Futureofrugbyunion/Additional_Documentsj
Fionn
Guest
'stats taken from the ESPN site; others differ' I've given up on trusting stats as there is just too much subjectivity in them. According to the Tuesday Top 5 on GAGR 'Nick Phipps had a pretty standard game for him, some passes way off the mark and some poor kicking. He also conceded 3 of the teams 11 turnovers for the match. When Joe Powell came on his passing was very good and he made nearly twice as many tackles as Phipps.' I am tired of the Foley debate. I just don't see it. As Peter elucidates elsewhere I get that the role of the 10 has been 'dumbed down' to suit Foley's strengths of little darts, support play, etc, and he is very good at those things, but it doesn't change the fact that he is an "international 10" with a very poor long passing game, a diabolical kicking game, defence as bad as Quade's and lacking 'x-factor' and play-making vision. I don't see that playing a 10 with the skills of a 12 (minus the ability to defend) is a good longterm strategy. The argument pushed by some about Foley being 'world class' or one of the best at taking it to the line is nonsense—he is behind Mounga, Barrett, Sexton, Finn Russell, Paddy Jackson, Cruden and perhaps even Sopoaga. At least Nick Bishop doesn't tow the SMH line and praise him endlessly. Some will disagree with me, but it has been done to death and neither of us will convince one another. That said, I reject Cynical Play's nonsensical hyperbole about McMahon overtaking Pocock based on one really good performance against a tier 1 nation, especially when that performance was nothing like as dominant as the ones that Pocock put in fairly often. And to claim that Cheika got Genia back is bordering on a fantasy.
Bakkies
Guest
TWAS I see that your mate Cameron was busy from March onwards https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Senate/Community_Affairs/Futureofrugbyunion/Additional_Documents
Sluggy
Roar Guru
It's hard to read things on phone devices. Screen's too small. Apparently you only see the middle of the line, and your brain fills in the periphery with pre-conceived notions. I saw that on the Discovery channel, so its F.A.C.T.
Sluggy
Roar Guru
Of late Cheika (my auto correct keeps trying to change that Chickadee) seems to have been going for some pace on the flanks, instead of the 3 x 13s. I'm not sure yet if Koro is a better finisher than Speight, but he certainly seems to be a better defender, and have plenty of gas. What does worry me is that KB is not always "accurate", as the Kiwis say, under the high ball. I am expecting about 30 Garry Owens to go his way on Sunday morning. Did you notice last Saturday that Hodge was dropping back on IJCB possessions and often receiving the kicks? Nobody ever said MC was stupid. Whether MC will hand the place kicking to Hodge is a point of debate, but although Foley seemed to have upped his punting by about +10 yards last Soup season, you'd tend to think that now Hodge has established himself in the starting XV, he can do the punting from the mark. If "more traditional back line" play includes more kicking for territory, I'm agin you there. I think it plays into the hands of teams that either (a) want to slow the pace of the game (which I expect the Cymry will) (b) like to counterattack, meaning you know who. We are better off keeping the ball. I also think that it has been made clear that they intend to stick with the sharpshooter defence pattern, at least for the time being. It won't work effectively unless the designated backrower gets into the space that opens up behind the shooter, and faster than has been happening. There was a later try in Dunedin where Beale, I think, gave McMahon the "Im going out" wave, and shoots on the ball carrier, black 19. Black 19 managed to offload to Black 8 (Read) who made about 5 or 10 metres through the space behind Beale. McMahon got across and grassed him one-on-one, but he had the Black halfbacks running support port and starboard and once he offloaded, they worked the try. Fingers crossed, or I fear England will rip them a new one through that space.
Timbo (L)
Roar Guru
Perth beat QC Vikes Beat Perth All been close games it is going to be a Scrap. Home Ground will probably be the only difference There are no sure bets.
Timbo (L)
Roar Guru
Spot on. Drew Mitchell for Rob Horne's Broken Arm Foley for an injured QC Skelton, Palu Injuries, Triple A For Slipper I am sure Matt Phillip will be his latest "find" at lock. Been performing well all year and many Roarers have been calling for him to get a start for months. Banks will be the next one if we lose another Wing/Fullback.
Timbo (L)
Roar Guru
Timani, Ned, Naisarani, DHP Mumm and more recently Fardy do the 6/lock injury shuffle. There are only minor differences in the roles, you just pack in a slightly different place or get to the breakdown a bit quicker. A ball running 8, on paper, isn't that much different but in reality, to bend the line with ball in hand at speed takes a special sort of attitude and body type. For the record, I don't think Timani was a particularly good lock, but a great asset to his team to step up and do the job. He is more of a a 6/8 like Higgers
Timbo (L)
Roar Guru
Sluggy, You are peeling back the carpet to take a peek into an interesting debate. Chieka may well be selecting the best available players for his plan, Foley included. This could well be the best that his plan can be executed. Many of us, me especially, thinks the plan is no longer fit for purpose and that the wallabies should go to a more traditional plan that takes advantage of all of the skills of our best players instead of selecting a set of players with the narrow, specific skill set needed for Cheikaball. There is another debate as to whether Chiekaball has been developed around 3 or 4 star players or if the 3 or 4 Players were exactly what Cheikaball needed to prosper. My thoughts are a mix of both, and with Folau out and more traditional back line structures appearing, we will see a more cohesive and more effective back line. Cheikaball has 3 locks, 2x7's 2x10's and 3x13's. Multiskilling is not a desirable trait. Hodge is lucky he is a decent 13 as well as all his other skills otherwise he would still be on the fringes.
Timbo (L)
Roar Guru
I would Have a fit Niavalu in the team over any other player. He is our best 14 and in my opinion is a better selection than Izzy. Marika is improving, but is the International circuit the place to develop skills? or should you be selected because you have already developed them in club, NRC and Super Rugby? These sorts of selections devalue the hard work and stellar performances that players put in through the regular season and can't even get a call-up into the extended squad. If you put Hoops in the side, you will need dual 7's. and he is best mounted at 7 - so he can get into the action ASAP to make that first tackle. Contrary to Fox Comentary he isn't the "single player clean out king" that Phase of the Job is done by the second 7 - Poey or Seany. From what I have seen, Seany has been able to move the bigger bodies better than Hoops, but nothing like Pocock, Smith, Alcock, Gill, Todd, Cane....... which is OK for a 7 but not for a 7/8 Chose 1 only and get some some real operators into 6 and 8.
Timbo (L)
Roar Guru
Beat the Poms and I will be eating eat a big dish of crow too. Until then, winning against second string and second tier sides doesn't earn a lot of kudos. You are expected to win them. Nothing to gain, everything to lose. With Folau out, I believe that the side has a better chance. 5-10% loss in attack in one position replaced with 50% improvement in defense has got to be a good thing, especially against the Poms. A bigger, more experienced, more abrasive back row would help counter the British packs. I would like to see Dual Mac Dogs (Seany and Ben) in 6 and 8 But I fear Ned Flanders will make his obligatory appearance to keep the Sky Blue Quota. I am wondering if we will se a 6/2 Bench again. I think that was effective.
Timbo (L)
Roar Guru
I got the same impression but it is hard to say, some of the language is from the reporter, a misplaced pronoun can change the meaning.