When the Wallabies lost to Scotland by five points in Sydney in June, the Wallabies’ coaching staff cited a lack of fitness and time spent together as a group for the general disorganisation and sub-standard performance.
The opportunity to play the same opponent again to round out the international season seemed like the perfect chance for the Wallabies to put those demons to rest – with a full international season behind them they wouldn’t be hampered by any of the organisational or fitness issues from June.
So what then to make of the 29-point hammering at Murrayfield? First and foremost, praise must be showered upon the Scots who backed up last week’s effort against the All Blacks with a sensational second-half blitz to blow Australia away.
The Scots were simply too good for the Wallabies, and were so on the back of losing their best attacking threat, Stuart Hogg to injury in the warm-up which forced a last-minute backline reshuffle.
Scotland have become a good watch under Gregor Townsend, who spent time playing club rugby in Sydney with Warringah in an era when the important things in rugby were executing the skills, rather than winning the ‘collisions’.
Townsend spoke back in June about his desire to see his side play more of a ‘southern hemisphere’ style of rugby in regards to attack and they are now full value for eighty minutes of rugby viewing.
There should be no shame in losing to Scotland at a packed Murrayfield, but given the circumstances of the loss in June and the rhetoric at the time of ‘we just weren’t ready’, this one is pretty hard to cop with a straight face.
The sending off of Sekope Kepu hurt the Wallabies, but it should not be used as an excuse or hidden behind.
One of Michael Cheika’s commonly used catchphrases is the importance of ‘owning’ moments. Kepu’s moment of madness let his team and coach down badly, but it was entirely of his own making and the red card fully deserved.
The fact that a player at that level doesn’t have the correct technique of clearing out – or just the sufficient discipline to not take the cheap shot on offer – is something that Cheika must ‘own’.
Michael Cheika clearly uses the siege mentality tactic as a way of galvanising his teams. He appears to shoot from the hip and thrives off intensity and confrontation, aiming to create a feeling of injustice in the dressing room spark a rebellion against the opposition.
Unfortunately it appears that Cheika’s lack of discipline also filters down on to the field. International rugby is hard enough when it is 15-on-15, let alone 15-on-14 or even 15-on-13 as has happened several times during Cheika’s tenure.
A win would have meant a solid if unspectacular year, slow but steady progress papering over the home loss in June, the stumbling effort against Italy and the home draw against an average South African team.
This loss, and the manner of it, will only bring to the surface the inconvenient truths that the Wallabies have a hell of a lot of work to do in the next eighteen months if they are to even entertain the thought of a challenge at the World Cup in Japan.
ironawe
Guest
"Their families moved here for reasons of safety, opportunity & lifestyle. The fact they were good at rugby & became Wallabies was an afterthought, not something that was deliberately premeditated in advance." So it's ok if a family moves here for reasons of safety, opportunity and lifestyle, but if a rugby player moves here for reasons of safety, opportunity and or lifestyle, and uses rugby as their vehicle to obtain this, you are not ok with it? This is the part that doesnt make sense.
adastra32
Guest
"whom apart from the AB’s can put 50 on the Wallabies?" With the WBs down to 14? England, Ireland, NZ to name three, in no particular order. Heck, even Wales might squeeze past them....
Derm
Roar Guru
To be honest I didn’t see the game, Fionn. I was too busy warming up for the game in Lansdowne. Plenty of arm-lifting hot whiskies in the local. You’re right about the Six Nations - should be very tasty.
Cliff (Bishkek)
Guest
Waxhead -- not "reload, reload, reload". Wallabies and Fans - "Ground Hog Day!!
Cliff (Bishkek)
Guest
Fionn, how young is too young? Also "how old is old enough"? If good enough, then step in and see what they can do? I wonder what went through Larkham's head when he was asked to go from FB to No. 10? Maybe Duncan Paia’aua has to be played there for the Reds? But will not happen unless Cooper leaves. If we do not try new people, we are left with the same old, same old. And that is what Foley is currently giving us - same old, same old!!
Bakkies
Guest
Absolutely they about being honest and transparent
jeznez
Roar Guru
He broke his eye-socket in the NRC semi due to a punch. Was planned to be flown over same as Tupou ahead of that.
Marto
Guest
Lano, We are stuck with the park rugby player ( the iceman) at 10 forever unfortunately...
Handles
Guest
The tactic of not contesting defensive breakdowns was a bust. Quick ball for the Scots all day! And we are not good enough tacklers to let that happen. Time after time the tackler would roll away leaving no Wallabies at the contest. They have flirted with this before, but to my eyes (only watched once) it seemed like the gameplan of the day. Come back Poey.
PiratesRugby
Guest
Building.
wally
Guest
"There should be no shame in losing to Scotland at a packed Murrayfield", - i agree with this, BUT (that's a big but) there is great shame in leaking >50pts to any side. Let alone doing it twice in one season.
Not so super
Guest
Earu - so original and poignant
Fionn
Guest
Not really. I don't think Lealiifano is a fantastic international 10, and I would much rather a Sexton, Sopoaga, Cruden, Mounga, Barrett or Finn Russell but they aren't options. I know what Lealiifano brings, and even if it isn't great x-factor he brings stability and kicking abiliites. Lealiifano was always a good 12 for Australia but never got the chance at 10. He and Lance are the best kicking and defending 10s in Australia. Both have (1) good goal kicking percentages, (2) can kick out of hand well, (3) defend in position and (4) pass long off of both sides. These are four key things that Foley just cannot do. Unless Quade rediscovers his 2013 form (seems unlikely) I suspect our best option will be one of Lance or Lealiifano. There are just no young 10s anywhere near being ready.
taylorman
Roar Guru
Id add CLL to that list. Illness aside, I dont think his impact on the side was that great. Think youre looking through rose tinted glasses with that one.
taylorman
Roar Guru
Obviously not, leg.?
taylorman
Roar Guru
Yes I guess how each player interprets instructions like 'dont get penalised but take no prisoners, not one step backwards'
Fionn
Guest
Lealiifano and Lance are the only real options going into 2019, unless we can convince Toomua or Barnes to come back. Hamish Stewart is just too young, as is Mack Mason, while Duncan Paia'aua has said publicly that he doesn't really feel comfortable playing 10 and feels he is a 12.
taylorman
Roar Guru
Tends to like putting up his photos of his broad chest and shoulders doesnt he??
taylorman
Roar Guru
Good way to analyse a side. Look at the body language of players at the worst points in the match.
Taylorman
Guest
There was enough uniqueness about this result to suggest it was a one off in terms of the score. The second half of the 14th test of the year where the scores were even before Kepu walked, and where Oz was already struggling in the last ten minutes against England with 15. Scotland are good but theyre not yet great. They wont win the 6N as its a defferent beast. With Wales and Ireland away theyll lose one of those so need to beat England at home, possible but unlikely.