In the first Bledlisloe test of 2018 Michael Cheika has the chance to start anew. To create a new narrative around his coaching of the Wallabies and to restore faith in both the team and in his coaching.
The resignation of Ewen McKenzie led to a rupturing amongst Australian fans in their opinion about McKenzie, the Wallabies and Michael Cheika as the new coach.
Cheika’s fantastic results in 2015, getting Australia to its first World Cup final since 2003, momentarily eased a lot of the negativity of the fans.
When results started to sour in 2016 the negativity regarding Cheika returned.
I, more than some, am guilty of being unduly negative about the team or about certain players in the previous two years, which is something I cannot take back, but I can try and rectify in the future.
Since the England series in June 2016 Michael Cheika has in my mind been rightly criticised for both his selections and game plan at times.
There were periods in which Cheika’s favoured players were very out of form but continually selected, or when performing players were mysteriously dropped.
There was also the issue that it seemed at times that Cheika’s Wallabies were intent on trying to play a form of unlimited phased rugby league.
At the same time there were external factors as well. The results of the Super Rugby teams in 2016 declined from 2015 and reached their nadir in 2017.
All of these things contributed to the poor results of the previous two years.
On this fixture 12 months ago the Wallabies were at their lowest point. The 54-34 loss was so crushing that many fans lost all faith in Cheika and began calling for resignations.
(Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)
Nonetheless, aside from a hiccup on the Spring Tour results improved from then and the Wallabies even won the third Bledisloe test.
In 2018, despite losing the series to Ireland 2-1 most fans, while unhappy with the loss, were cautiously optimistic about the seeming improvement in form.
With the more time that has passed and with the pain of the loss failing it is easier to recognise that the side had vastly improved from only six months previous.
Australia’s scrum held its own and was even dominant at times.
The forwards were much more effective at the breakdown and in terms of tight ball-carrying.
Despite playing both Michael Hooper and David Pocock Australia’s line out functioned well during the series.
The midfield defence of Bernard Foley at 10, Kurtley Beale at 12 and Samu Kerevi at 13 was strong, as was Australia’s cover defence.
Most importantly, from the first test Australia demonstrated a newfound willingness to kick tactically in order to gain field advantage, to utilise Folau or even to score tries.
There were issues, of course. After the first Test Australia’s tactics did not sufficiently evolve, and the kicks that had been so effective early on were handled relatively easily by the Irish.
Without Will Genia the attack often lacked spark.
Nevertheless, the Wallabies were vastly improved on their performances 6 or 12 months previous, and have a lot to build on.
(Photo by Jono Searle/Getty Images)
12 months later the Wallabies are up against the best team in the world. The All Blacks won their series 3-0 against France, are on a 15-year winning streak and will be at virtually full strength, but there are reasons to be optimistic as a fan:
1. Despite being an inferior team in the Bledisloe Cup last year also the Wallabies won the third Test and pushed New Zealand to the limit in the second – the Wallabies do not need to be the better team overall, just to play better on the night
2. Bernard Foley, Australia’s 10, is in the best form he has been in since at least 2015 and has vastly improved his kicking, which means the Wallabies are unlikely to lose through leaving free points on the field
3. David Pocock, Australia’s best player, has returned and will combine with Israel Folau, Kurtley Beale and Will Genia for the first time since the Rugby World Cup
4. Australia has a scrum that should be able to hold firm against the All Black starters and may even improve when Taniela Tupou
5. For the first time since the World Cup most Wallaby fans are in agreement about most positions, or, at the very least, are not opposed to the incumbents – an indication that Cheika has done a great job in improving his selection.
A win would be a fantastic result for Cheika, and would likely turn around the opinions of many of those fans critical to him.
However, even if the Wallabies do not earn a famous upset win, I believe most fans are simply hoping to see a continued improvement in skills, an expansion in tactics and an intention to prioritise both defence and kicking.
nothing if not critical
Roar Rookie
I, more than some, am guilty of being unduly negative about the team or about certain players in the previous two years, which is something I cannot take back, but I can try and rectify in the future. Nice article, Fionn. But I don't remember you be unduly negative. I think you pointed out things that a lot of others agreed with like the poor selections. No one expects commentators to be 100% accurate or right - just that they act in good faith, and that seems self-evident based on your comments. Keep it up.
Drongo
Guest
There are if you take citizenship. If not, just living here is a huge privilege. One to be respected and honoured.
Boggles the Mind
Guest
Foley is totally useless. Foley and others Phipps Hooper Hanigan etc etc are the reasons why wallabies can`t win the big games. Every one of their opposites is superior to them.
taylorman
Roar Guru
What benefits? There arent any.
Fionn
Guest
Yeah, Pirates, selections have the ability to detail it! How have you been mate? Haven't spoken to you in a while.
double agent
Guest
It's very frustrating that the Wallabies and our Super sides only play well for no more than 30 or 40 minutes (on a good day) and only manage that every second match. For that brief window they look like world beaters . Shame the rest of the time is so ordinary.
Drongo
Guest
Are you an Australian citizen? Did you cross your fingers for the oath of allegiance? You can support whoever you like but don’t be a hypocrite and accept the benefits without paying the price. And that isn’t just taxation.
PiratesRugby
Guest
Fionn, here are 5 reasons why we won't win the Bled: 1. Chilean is a poor coach who gets flustered by big series. He's been out coached by NZ, England, Ireland and Scotland. His issues become the team issues. His outbursts reflect poorly on the team and damage morale. His selection destroy faith in the integrity of the selection process. 2. Foley is the worst Half in Test rugby. He's a perfectly serviceable provincial player. He's not good enough for test rugby and certainly can't beat the ABs. 3. Beale is probably the best bench impact player in the world. Coming on in the last 20mins he can slice any team open. He's an unreliable starter with poor judgment. 4. Hooper is not a leader. And he's not even the country's best 7. Another bench player promoted well above his abilities. 5. Which brings me to Hanigan. Enough said. And I didn't even get to Phipps on the bench.
Loxie
Guest
This deep into the comments and Absa raised my concern...first I believe we are a bit better than last year and finally seeing a competitive pack. My concern is we are terribly inconsistent early in games, often to the rucks and building phases. A blinder too often followed by a sleeper, like 'we did that last game' and are focused somewhere else today. Also 'get it Izzy' at all costs policy on every play is a bit predictable. Ever hopeful, like most don't see it this year because of the above and still some key positional gaps covered well above...That said this isn't the McCaw era AB's either, so anything can happen if we play to our potential and the AB's are bit off game 1, then we can put enough pressure on in a decider (don't see us winning 2 straight games) to get this new era AB's chasing the game and they get frazzled in a few key moments. My kingdom for a genuine 8 to step up...is Cliffy really that old?
Fionn
Guest
No worries, Jacko. For as much as we but heads I do enjoy your comments. Best of luck to the All Blacks this weekend too. May the best team win.
Fionn
Guest
Thanks, Harry. Your writing has been inspiring me of late :P Best of luck in the rugby championship!
moa
Guest
As a fan I would prefer we win the Rugby Championship which is more important than the Bledisloe imo.
Jacko
Guest
Oh OK I will read the article.....Geez..... not once have I said that Aus cannot win the Bledisloe....I dont THINK they can win 2 of the 3 but anything is possible and as I have stated many times, I believe Aus rugby is improving......I see 2020-2022 as the best years in the immediate future....... As for the Dunedin test well sure NZ were lucky ( or good enough)to score after Aus had gone ahead.....but you fail to mention the luck Aus had in getting a 17 point lead. An intercept then a scrum going backward so fast no AB could adjust in time...Luck...like the match...can go for more than 80mins per test, and is not just confined to the last few mins lets hope its about who plays best this weekend coming rather than luck or reffing and if AUS wins because they are the best side then we will hopefully all acknowledge that and move to the following weekend where i would expect a massive Backlash
Jacko
Guest
OK SAGE.......If you want to cherry pick a word here or there without any context then I guess you must be right and I clearly only support NZ because i dont like the Aus accent....the same 1 I speak with....... Oh of course you are just mucking around...arnt we all?
Jacko
Guest
Well Fionn....i have copied and pasted....not re-written where i could get it wrong...and I have pointed out where it was said and the time it was said....I have done all I can do yet you still say SAGE did not say what is very clearly written in his post....I have nothing further to add re this matter
Sage
Roar Rookie
Fair enough if you think the statement is stupid but just remember who made it and a hint, it wasn't me. I was reminding you of what you stated, that's all. I'm mucking around, don't be offended.
Clifto
Guest
Wow you sound like fun
Jacko
Guest
One-eye Todd has gone to Japan.......His choice to rule himself out of possible selection...A real shame TBH as he is in as good a form as I have seen him and was certainly pushing Savea out the door with the form he showed against the French
Jacko
Guest
Thats a "W" on each cheek......i see what you did there SAGE....Cheeky
Fionn
Guest
Jacko, he didn't say you 'support NZ because I dont like the Aus accent', and he said that the other was a factor (thereby implying there are others also) that resulted in your supporting the All Blacks. In my opinion you were changing his post to the point that it no longer conveyed his original point.