Before the Ireland series, I was optimistic that the Wallabies could create an upset and win 3–0 so I could feel a bit better about 3-0 whitewash by England back in 2016.
However, I was also preparing myself for the possibility of the exact opposite happening.
There I was, nervously awaiting the first Test with all the hype and build-up, with flashes of the Scotland game last November still playing in my head.
After the final whistle of the first Test, I had an unusual feeling; something I don’t feel very often after a Wallabies game: relived mostly, but I was also feeling a bit proud of the team and quietly confident that we could win the series against the world’s No.2 team.
Now that the dust has settled, and emotions are back to normal, it’s as good a time as any to get some perspective.
I for one am in a far better state than I was before the first game. It’s never easy to lose and it will go down as a historic series loss, but there was a lot to like about the men in gold and I’m hoping they will only improve.
The most significant improvements were in kickoffs and re-starts, defusing high balls, defence, set pieces (the scrum in particular), and in attack.
While there’s room for further improvement, these were areas of weakness not very long ago.
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Australia must further improve further during the Rugby Championship, specifically by fixing some weaknesses which are causing them to lose games they could win.
Let’s look at what they need to focus on fixing.
1. Kicking
This weakness needs immediate attention and improvement if the Wallabies are going to beat good teams consistently.
Apart from goal kicking and kick offs, all other aspects off the boot lack variation, accuracy and creativity. Giving Bernard Foley only kick offs, restarts and goal kicking would help improve this exit kicking, although in Super Rugby some of his kicks to Israel Folau near the tryline have been good.
If Foley can execute accurately he should continue with that.
2. One-off forward runners and running from a standing start in attack
This is the most frustrating weakness, as it kills attacking momentum.
The Wallabies have been guilty of doing this for quite some time now. This tactic results in a turnover more often than not.
3. Protecting our own ball at the breakdown
Even with David Pocock in the team, the Wallabies only barely manage. This again slows the momentum of the attack or even worse, leads to turnovers or penalties.
I’m a Michael Hooper fan, and while this is not one of his strengths, modern rugby has moved on from this being the core responsibility of the No 7.
The entire forward pack needs to focus on this – sometimes even the backs – but the fact is that it remains an area which needs improvement.
Michael Hooper (AAP Image/Dean Lewins)
4. Game and referee management
The Wallabies often find themselves playing too much rugby in their own half and, as a result, hand over easy possession by a dropped ball to put themselves under pressure, concede a breakdown turnover, or give away a penalty and concede points.
Knowing when to kick and when to run the ball will help them to relieve pressure and put them in the right area of the field to maximise their attack, which is working well.
Hooper and all the stand-in captains need to improve on managing the referee better as well.
5. Decision making
This is perhaps the main difference between winning and losing a close game, at which the All Blacks are the masters – you can count on their 23 making the right decision nine times out of ten.
Along with their skill levels, this is the main reason the Aussies are where they are. What worries me is that this lacks in most areas, especially when the Wallabies are under pressure.
Offloading when it’s not on, when to kick for goal and when to kick for touch are among the most common errors being made.
I’m under no illusion that these can be fixed overnight, but they can be fixed, and results will follow.
James
Roar Rookie
Fixing the kicking problem has to start at number 9 - when Phipps was there, all of the pressure went straight onto foley, both for attacking and to a large extent (with the exception of Beale providing some relief) defensively minded kicks. Will be great to have Genia back in the side as it is hard to see a world class team beating world class opponents without a 9 that can kick at all...
Yenda Ad Enthusiast
Guest
Wouldn't mind Beale and 10 and Toomau at 12, question would be who goal kicks and who plays 13. This a backline I would like to see. 9.Genia 10.Beale 11.Folau 12.Toomau 13.Kerevi/Hodge(for D and GK) 14.DHP/Maddocks 15.Banks 21. Powell/Gordon (any word on White?) 22. Kerevi/Hodge 23.DHP/Maddocks More attacking 13/14 combo would be Kerevi and Maddocks, but the safer option would probably be Hodge and DHP. Hopefully Foley goes off in one of these games ( but for a rest , no injury!) so Beale can have some shots at goal and hopefully put me at ease. If not I'm afraid it's Hodge or Foley, and I don't want Foley he's had a mortgage on the jersey for too long.
taylorman
Roar Guru
12 is the sort of position its very difficult to be all round in, most usually get there on strengths of some of the key areas. For me a resolute defender is the primary skill. Must be able to tackle one on one effectively and thwart an attack before it gets started. Next is to be able to take the ball up powerfully, make ground and where possible, offload or link with other immediate players. After that come passing, a good long boot etc etc. Its when those first two fundamentals arent strong that a team either scrambles defensively or settles for a limited gameplan. Beales strengths are his ball in hand, passing and linking, but isnt strong one on one tackling so is looked after in that area. Kerevi suits the role for those first two elements but doesnt add a lot more than that. Toomua might fit the role better in my opinion but at test level he's not convinced against the ABs. Not saying thats easy to do, but he does struggle enough to be a concern.But skil wise, he has a greater range than probably all the Oz midfielders for 12...IMO...
Tipene Roar
Roar Rookie
toxicity..a great song
PeterF
Guest
Gishan, do you recall the AB's, RWX 2011. They used more 5/8's than the 3 other semi-finalists combined. Its not about time: its about working a system so that replacements can slot in. Oz rugby is way too fragmented to build up such a system. Only when the various franchises come together under the ARU and decide that international rugby does matter (and that success would turn the turnstiles at all levels) will we rebuild in any way sustainably. So lets not get too excited about 2019, but wouldn't it be good to see a 5-year plan to build a national rugby culture and system that could lift us out of the current adhocracy.
Ralph
Roar Guru
There is, of course, no quick, simple, solution. As Robbie Deans, in the middle of his golden run as Crusaders' coach, once said to me: "People want to know what the secret of the Crusaders is. There isn't one. The fact is there are lots of small things. The more you get right the better the results." Phil Gifford
Gishan De Soyza
Roar Pro
I think Cheika had already decided at the time that Beale was going to be his 12 post world cup, just like he is doing with Hodge right now. The unique problem Aus seem to have is that their best players are specialized in the same role. Just look at Pocock, Hooper, Gill and McMahon (I'll stop with him when it comes to No. 7's. Then we've got Beale, Toomua and Kervi for Inside Center. And none of them are complete all round players so there is no clear choice, there is always a trade off in selecting one. So in a case like this I don't blame Cheika for persisting with his preferred option. The Wallabies can only benefit by having players like Cooper and Toomua around at this point even though they are not Cheika's first choice picks.
Uncle Eric
Guest
Probably because they play so flat. Most of Beale's and Foley's passes are to players in line with them (particularly Beale's because of his lateral running habit). In my view, the big problem is coaching and the solution for that is simple as abc: ANYONE BUT CHEIKA.
Gishan De Soyza
Roar Pro
Cheers Harry. Yes because it's not something that comes naturally to them, so needs extra focus and work on the areas you mention. Although I'm happy that they are trying to inject this aspect to the game even if it's weak at the moment. Can only get better from here if they keep doing the right things.
canadiankiwi
Guest
Why not Christian Leali’ifano at 10 over Foley, if you are not going to play Beale at 10?
canadiankiwi
Guest
You are starting to sound like Robbie Deans with this crazy notion of putting your best playmaker, Beale, at 10. Deans was chased out of town with this type of thinking.
taylorman
Roar Guru
Hes a funny one Cheika, by only playing him against Uruguay in 2015, preferring old man Giteau instead of Toomua, he effectively signed his end of Wallabies days. Now three to four years later he wants him here to try out for Japan? Things like that just dont usually end well in the end, theres something about a ship having sailed, a la Mitchell, Giteau etc..I really think Cheika thought he would find better midfielders than Toomua and simply hasnt.
Taylorman
Guest
Something to do with toxicity.
Harry Jones
Expert
Thanks for the article. Kicking — quality, timing, type, variation, and accuracy ... That’s the biggest work-on for OZ, in my opinion.
Boomeranga
Roar Rookie
Ken, given QC is so good, why will no one selecth?
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
Gishan- it’s as plain as the nose on a face, yet so many, otherwise intelligent people, cannot see it. Oh well.
Boomeranga
Roar Rookie
A 1 year dynasty is all we need to shake NZs 1trick religion.
Realist
Guest
The Wallabies need: - a new coach (buy him a station wagon so he can take Nic Phipps and and Ned Hanigan with him) - a new captain - install Pocock as first choice openside and bring back Gill to be his heir in waiting - either a world class 6 or 8 (hopefully Dempsey’s injury doesn’t cripple him the way it did Horwill) - world class halves pairing (Genia will burn out and Foley is a pretender) - prepare for life after Beale (pray for another Tim Horan or good bloke version of James O’Connor) - hope Kerevi’s improved defence against Ireland wasn’t a one-off - Tom Banks and Jack Maddocks to not only live up to but exceed expectations
Gishan De Soyza
Roar Pro
Agree on the first point. But I wouldn't pick Ford and Pollard over Foley. I would pick Quade Cooper over him though :)
The Slow Eater
Roar Rookie
But the problem is that every team who has won the World Cup has had a world class number 10. Would you pick Foley over Barrett, Ford, Sexton or Pollard?