The Wallabies carried on their winning ways with a 29-21 triumph over Wales in Cardiff on Sunday morning.
So, what was worth talking about?
More Wallabies vs Wales
» Match Report: Wallabies hold on
» Quiqley: Wallabies discipline a concern
» Team changes for the match vs England
» Vote in our DIY player ratings
» Re-live the match with our live blog
1. Tic tac toe, 13 in a row
We’ll start with the good stuff. It wasn’t perfect, but a win’s a win. And victory in Cardiff made it 13 straight for the Wallabies over Wales. That sort of record can easily give rise to complacency, but there were no shirkers in gold.
Tatafu Polota-Nau continued his brilliant form. He gets involved in absolutely everything and does so at maximum intensity.
Kurtley Beale wasn’t quite at his best, but still pulled off a brilliant moment of opportunism. As Wales were creeping back into the game, Beale stripped Steff Evans of possession mid-tackle and casually jogging 60 metres to score, all while Wales were poised over the non-existent breakdown.
There’s also nothing like a few weeks of Nick Phipps to remind you how important Will Genia is. Genia was man of the match, firing a lovely pass for Coleman’s try and generally steering the ship with aplomb.
(Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)
2. Wallabies defence still suspect
It’s worth remembering this was Wales’ first test match since June. They were rusty, and Australia should have been able to control the game much better than they did.
It’s no secret where opponents will find space against the Aussies at the moment. Too many times, Wales created significant overlaps out wide. It was only the home side’s poor handling that saved the Wallabies from being cut to shreds.
Kerevi and Kuridrani might have bullied Japan last week but they were caught out here. It was telling that Michael Cheika dragged Kerevi relatively early for Karmichael Hunt. Though they weren’t the only ones at fault.
Australia still overcommit at the breakdown and fail to realign quick enough when possession is turned over. Marika Koroibete’s rush defence is spectacular when it comes off, but it can compound the errors of those inside him when his timing is off.
3. Have we stopped practising restarts?
A year or two ago, criticism of the Wallabies’ restarts was so frequent it became a running joke. For a while they upped their game ‒ kicking high and short for tall, agile chasers ‒ but their focus seems to have wavered once more.
Against Wales, not one of Bernard Foley’s kick-offs was contestable. They were all deep-ish into the corner, allowing a regulation clearance. It can’t just be Foley’s carelessness. It must be a rehearsed pattern. But it shows such a lack of intent to secure possession.
Maybe they’re less inclined to kick short without their leaper-in-chief, Folau. But it’s been happening for a while now. In high pressure games, why would you give your opposition a moment’s respite?
4. Dr Jackson and Mr Hyde
When was the last time a team won after being on the wrong side of a 15-3 penalty count? The Wallabies discipline has been a problem area this year, but Glen Jackson loomed larger than he probably should have on Sunday.
Jackson’s critics suggest he has a tendency to referee one team at a time. That kind of approach can really affect the game’s momentum. He was arbitrary at scrum time, to the annoyance of both teams.
He pinged the Wallabies for ‘closing the gap at the lineout’ when they only did so to make a play at a wildly crooked Welsh throw. He was strict on the Wallabies offside line but less bothered by the Welsh rush defence. Then he penalised Jonathan Davies for deliberate knockdown when he made a genuine attempt to intercept.
Several calls seemed inconsistent or selectively pedantic. It makes Jackson one of the most frustrating referees in world rugby.
5. Is Scott Sio still Australia’s best loosehead?
At times during his career, Scott Sio has been in imperious form. Yet within the space of 80 minutes, he can go from world-beater to park footballer. Against heavy scrum pressure, he too often seems like the latter.
Sio was penalised early for collapsing, only to regain solidity as the first-half wore on. Then things went awry again in the second. Whether it’s sloppy binding or an issue of strength, something is amiss.
With scrum officiating heavily reliant on the perception of ascendancy, it’s a big problem for Sio to be struggling early in games. His front row partners, Sekope Kepu and Polota-Nau, are proven scrummagers over a sustained period. Sio is currently the weak link. Speaking of which, who let Mario Ledesma leave his post as scrum coach?
armchair sportsfan
Guest
replace hannigan with beale, he seemed to know what he was doing when he joined the side of the scrum
Sluggy
Roar Guru
Yes agree, its better for the players to wait for the defender to catch it, put a leg on the ground, and then tackle them. Unless your name is I. Folau. It seems to me the Wobs were doing that on Sunday morning, and inviting the Welsh to attack from 60 metres out, rather than play with the ball in their own "penalty zone". I don't think the high balls were aimless though, and Foley wasn't the only one kicking them. I am thinking MC prepared them for Wales defensive pattern, and that was part of a planned response.
Sluggy
Roar Guru
Not really. What do you say the UK journos' agenda is that caused them to write nice things about Foley?
enoughisenough
Guest
How cute, someone who still believes journalists don't have agendas, and who believes everything "because the newspaper sad so".
Sluggy
Roar Guru
It's not only overseas journos who disagree with you: Christy Doran - Fox Sports/Courier Mail: "It was a clinical return from Foley at fly-half after missing last week because of illness. Foley’s first half in particular was fantastic, with his control and kicking game brilliant. He perhaps attempted to play too much field position in the second half, but nonetheless it was a strong night." But you just carry on.
enoughisenough
Guest
Oooh good comeback mate. Get caught out with a few facts so you come back with this gem? What a champ! Sluggardly indeed.
Sluggy
Roar Guru
You sound tired mate. Get some rest.
oddz1987
Roar Rookie
Certainly didn't look good..... I can understand the frustration on behalf of Genia, the game was closed out and with no bonus points on offer whats the point of continuing the game??? But definitely not the time or place to carry on the way that both of them did.
Dat Mavis
Roar Pro
Yeah I thought Hanigan played quite well. And, Robertson held the scrum together when it was down a man.
Dat Mavis
Roar Pro
Didn't look good, did it?
piru
Roar Rookie
6 - The British / Welsh commentators are a breath of fresh air after the ridiculous Fox Wallaby cheer squad. Who would have thought that James Horwill would be such a good commentator?
enoughisenough
Guest
Yes I watched and listened. Did you? A couple of examples being Foley taking the ball in his 22, shaping to kick, taking another step, shaping to kick again, stuttering, and then putting up an ineffectual midfield bomb, with the commentators saying something to the effect that he took far too long, and commenting how slow it was. Then shortly after, a Foley clearance was touched in flight right off the boot (so Wallabies had lineout throw), now I kind of think if it was touched in flight off the boot, it was probably fairly close to being charged down, or doesn't that work for you? And then at the end of the game, Foley shaped to kick, then changed his mind and took on the line, was tackled and had the ball stripped. So there's a few examples for you, where he was hesitant and took far too long to get set for his field kicking. Facts, not like your fake news, wherein Foley was magnificent and his kicking impeccable. I suppose you didn't see the only conversion attempt that he made from not close to in front - a total shank....Next you'll be telling us that Foley doesn't have issues with being charged down, nor does he have technical issues with his kicking. And as for Brett not bothering to engage in conversation on it, so what? The same Brett whose logic dictates that Foley is the supreme 10 in Australian rugby, hands down, because he is. Compelling stuff, whereby opinion is fact eh? But why worry, your man Foley is locked in to the 10 position, no matter how poorly he goes, so you'll have abundant opportunity for your hero worship.
Timbo (L)
Roar Guru
Hey, Lay off KB. I have seen MacCalman do that on several occasions to balance the Scrum. It is a sound Strategy. Never seen it done from 6 or 7 though........ ;)
Timbo (L)
Roar Guru
My 2 Cents. A deliberate knock down is cynical and should be penalized, penalized hard. A deliberate Knock Up is an intercept attempt and if not regained, is a knock on - Pack Down the Scrum. If you are passing a possible intercept, you deserve to lose momentum.
Fionn
Guest
Yeah, if we wanted to kick from outside our 22 then I would have preferred to see TK hit it up and for Genia to then pass to Hodge standing deep in the pocket clearing it 50m downfield or at least 30m in the air, rather than random up and unders that were always around halfway and in which we never competed well.
Hoy
Roar Guru
I should say too... Davies was great for Wales. He really is pretty under-rated I think. He was harshly done by for the intercept that knocked on. Tough call...
Tooly
Roar Rookie
You have summed it up pretty well . The best team on show was Ireland SA never looked like getting into the game ; the next best NZ then England followed by us . We are overloaded with straight running big boof heads who make big tackles don’t really defend well . Our problem is moronic selections .
Hoy
Roar Guru
I thought The Wallabies were in complete control in the first half, then we let Wales in by playing pretty silly footy... kicking it back to them high, every time... that was our exit strategy? Bombing just outside our 22, to about the halfway line, and then what? Have them run it back in? We were lucky that Wales' handling was so bad. They were pretty keen on the blind side, and exposed us several times with overlaps blind and open. I know Wales were trying to play a new style, and their intent was certainly there to do it, but it was almost like they were Australia for the last 5 or 6 years.... all intent, no ability to complete. Just this year, Australia seems to have clicked a bit... Also, the Welsh going on about having two playmakers? I didn't see much playmaking from anyone but their halfback. The 10/12 offered pretty little really. Biggar did a few good passes under pressure, but didn't direct play very well, and the 12 was not really seen either. I think Wales need to move on from Gatland. They started really well under him years ago, but they just aren't improving like they should be... I think they are stagnant, and just can't score points other than penalties... I could be wrong, and this could be an outlier game, but I think Gatland should be moved on from Wales. Hanigan is what he is. That this was his best game to date, and he still did nothing of note is notable... Although he did give away a pretty stupid penalty for not rolling away at a pretty key time, and I also saw him do what almost looked like a big tackle, except the Welsh player was already falling... Genia was great this game. Boy was he good directing players and getting them moving. Great pass for Coleman's try. Kerevi started well, then kept losing the ball in contact... Once is a bit embarrassing, but I think he lost it about three times... Good for us to have Hodge kicking penalties from long range.
Hoy
Roar Guru
As funny as it was, I thought it also wasn't very funny... because here is a bloke who has played professional rugby for 10+ years, and he hasn't taken note of what a flanker does? I mean I get the he won't be the best bloke to cover the intricacies of the play of different positions, however how many scrums would he have seen in his life? Looked at... and not noticed where the flanker actually goes? It is ridiculous, and to me, shows a complete lack of attention really... Pretty disappointing from a professional player really. Still a better effort than Jonny May though...
Steve
Guest
Yes! What was that all about?