Now that the dust has settled on the Wallabies’ trip to the UK, it is surely time for Michael Cheika and his backline coach, Stephen Larkham, to face and address a glaring problem.
The problem is that their otherwise world class No.9, Will Genia, cannot kick.
Just watching Ben Youngs and Danny Care for England, Connor Murray for Ireland – and throw in for good measure the brilliant Aaron Smith for New Zealand – you are witnessing masters of the box kick, now an essential attacking weapon.
Box kicks are of crucial importance in gaining field position and reducing pressure. They are an increasingly essential component of a halfback’s arsenal.
Not only can Genia not kick the ball high enough, but his kicking technique is so poor that the ball is often charged down.
I agree with those who think the large defeats by the Wallabies to England and Scotland were not a fair reflection of the progress made by the Wallabies since Cheika inherited the post-Super Rugby rabble a couple of months before the UK tour.
The Wallabies have made significant strides, as illustrated by their latter games against New Zealand.
Imagine how much better things would be with Genia having an effective box kick added to his armoury.
My suggestion is for Cheika to do what he did for his pack a few years ago – hiring the outstanding Mario Ledesma as specialist coach – and to similarly import a specialist halfback coach to work with Genia and teach him, and all squad No.9s, the box kick.
For me this would be a mouth watering prospect. Australia would overcome one of its crucial handicaps, enabling a more direct charge to the next world cup.
What do you think Roarers? What should Cheika and the Australians do to improve Genia’s box kick?
Timbo (L)
Roar Guru
I have a more Holistic view: You need to have every tool in the shed available and you need to demonstrate that you are prepared to use them. It forces the opposition to set a wider defense to cater for every possibility, thinning it out, making it easier to attack. It, like sniping from the base of the ruck should be used sparingly, and at a time when the defense is weak in those areas. A box kick should also be accompanied by a couple of burly blokes and a winger at top speed to make it a worthwhile exercise. The Chase part of a kick chase.
waxhead
Guest
Yes I agree but.............a few points to consider... Wallabies already have Mick Byrne as skills kicking coach. Genia is about 30 now, very experienced and plays in Europe - why has he not learned to be a good box kicker? Stupid selection policy continues with Phipps as no 2 halfback - this guy is an error ridden lost cause and pointless now trying to teach him anything. Joe Powell is the best box kicker of all of them at age 20 but Cheika won't give him any game time.
piru
Roar Rookie
Didn't Cheika say he doesn't like box kicks so doesn't use them? Just take that weapon out of the arsenal, as there is no possible scenario in which it could be used.
Markie362
Guest
I agree.i hate the box kick and cringe when as does it.opens the play up for the opposition
Kane
Guest
If you want to remove the box kick form the game the simple answer is to prevent forwards setting up screens and allowing the 9 to shepard behind them before kicking.
Kane
Guest
One thing that I did see a lot of improvement in, in 2017 for the Wallabies, was the kick chase. Before then it was almost non existant.
Kane
Guest
He also needs to develop a back up to Foley that he can trust.
RobC
Roar Guru
Gday ThoroughsTouws Thanks for yours thoughts. I reckon the priority is kicking. The coaches should be kicking themselves over the terrible place kicks. That should be the most urgent priority. WBs used to win because the piggies (and opponents) knew their 10 would punish offenders - with points for the post. Get a 85% kicker. The rest will take care of itself. This should be Checks New Year resolution If he follows through, the RWC trophy will be within reach
Taylorman
Guest
It might be oveused but like any tactic, it has its advantages and disadvantages the point here being that one should have it in ones armoury as an option. Downgrading it just because its done poorly isnt helping much either.
Rhys Bosley
Guest
"Genia is absolutely indispensable if the Wallabies want to win the 2019 World Cup." Genia or no Genia, that ain't happening. There are too many holes in the Wallabies game, Genia's box kicking is just one example of that, and other teams like England and New Zealand are just better at the moment. Not being negative, just realistic.
DavSA
Guest
Full agreement here Hein . You take 100% possession and immediately convert it into 50% or less. Cronje is just so predictable in this that opposition sides can reliably plan . It almost goes to ..and dare I say it....a lack of confidence. Stransky by the way is paid to promote rugby for his channel. Take whatever he says with a pinch of Durban sea salt.
RahRah
Roar Rookie
Agreed Bakkies. The problem is that we have poor kickers compounded by a generally very poor chase. If the kick is to be coached and used to greater effect, so too must the supporting players be coached and forced to chase each and every kick.
ThoroughsTouws
Roar Rookie
Tooly, Quade never regained his off the blocks speed after his knee reconstruction a few years ago. Never the same player. And Cheika doesn't rate him - I agree with that.
ThoroughsTouws
Roar Rookie
Hi I have the answer, you make a good point. Phipps must go.
I have the answer
Guest
And the answer is simply depth. Depth at scrum half is needed to lift the competition. At this stage Genia isn't pushed at the 9 position aka, his spot is guaranteed. Cheika needs to throw some faith behind Gordon, Powell or another scrum half and bite the bullet.
hein cloete
Guest
Agreed. The box kick should be called - handing hard won ball back to the opposition. The most stupid kick ever. The South African scrumhalves kick the ball away continuously, then breathlessly Joel Stransky says - what a clever kick. Someone should explain to me the purpose of a box kick, because having watched rugby for 50 years, i just can't figure it out.
Tooly
Roar Rookie
Totally agree Jim ;
ThoroughsTouws
Roar Rookie
Hi Old Man Frank Okeefe, please don't misunderstand me - I am a huge fan of Will Genia. I was not criticising him but rather the Wallaby rugby skill set which lacks the box kick, executed well and with players trained and skilled to chase and do what is necessary. Following on from what Pete Dossinger said, why in the world would a coach not use this to take advantage of Filou's special jumping skills?
ThoroughsTouws
Roar Rookie
Excellent comments, Who. I will expand my main point - effective box kicking is not part of the Wallaby way and needs to be if used properly. To be used properly you need a number nine who can execute and chasers who are trained and skilled in chasing the box kick and knowing what to do when they reach the target.
Bakkies
Guest
When Murray kicks for Ireland his chasers often nail the kick receiver or catch the ball. Joe Schmidt is very big on chasing. One of the key reasons why Ireland don't leak many counter attack tries. If there are players in his way he takes a step back. With Genia it is more his decision making he does it when opposition locks have their hands up.