When Michael Hooper elected to take a penalty goal in front of the posts last Saturday night in Sydney the New Zealand team breathed a sigh of relief, and a collective national smirk.
Australian fans can see the answer, while Michael Hooper continues to take soft options.
New Zealand sides have always been happy to give away penalties and three points to compete for the ball at the other end of the field.
With that opportunity evaporated a golden chance for seven points, the potential for a kiwi sin binning, and taking some gas out of the collection All Black tank.
A quick tap would have likely drawn a New Zealand defensive error, or a try. Penalty goals don’t win matches these days against good opponents.
A try from that position would have given the Wallabies momentum, which they have shown they know how to use.
But Australia lost the game in the set piece. The scrum was understandable: No Scott Sio or Taniela Tupou coupled with easily the most appalling refereeing performance in memory.
The appointment of Wayne Barnes as referee should assuage Wallaby fans. He is even-handed and knows the scrum.
I wouldn’t imagine we will see Jaco Peyper again any time soon, even at the supermarket. His decision not to sin-bin Waisake Naholo’s spear tackle set a precedent in world rugby the last few years.
Michael Cheika has done well working out defensive structures to cope with the way New Zealand prize apart sections of the defensive line.
The Wallabies have also improved their line speed and overall defensive technique, no doubt hardened by the rigours of three Tests against an Irish team, who have perfected the art of bending the line with powerful ball runners.
This defence should create turnover opportunities, but Australia must be more dynamic with turnover ball, especially closer to the ruck, where they have a speed advantage.
If Australia can win 80 per cent of their ball, key throws in the opposition 22, and pinch a few throws from New Zealand, they will be presented with enough possession to win the game – even minus Israel Folau, Tevita Kuridrani, Samu Kerevi, Jack Dempsey, Tupou and an in-form Rory Arnold. Australia have three recognised jumpers, with good lineout options off the bench.
New Zealand excel in defensive lineouts: It has been their cash cow for the last 10 years. Just look at the lineout stats in the 2015 world cup and you will see why they won, and what an achievement it was that Australian competed so deep into the game.
Look at the lineout stats last week, and you will see why they dominated. Its not really a matter of winning your own bal, its a matter of limiting the damage.
In Brodie Retallick, Kieran Read and Sam Whitelock you have three of the best lineout technicians in the history of the game, the best defensive lineout seen at international level.
Cheika must inject his reserves more strategically, which means earlier.
But risk wins matches. Organised, premeditated, planned risk. If Australia want to harvest belief and win man-on-man battles, jettisoning set piece for planned attack in certain areas of the football field will create points and momentum nd more saliently damage New Zealands defensive line.
But if Australia don’t lead New Zealand by 12-14 points at the 60-minute mark watch out, we could be in for another one-sided affair.
Nabley
Roar Rookie
What a load of garbage. The one thing that counts in Test Matches is the score, or points on the board. When on offer take them. Have you ever studied the percentages of scoring close in to the try line. It is not good. The options for attack are reduced and defence is much simplier. So take them when on offer. The ABs do. The real reason the Wallabies got thrashed was because they ran out of fitness about the 30 min mark. Until they get away from League fitness training concepts that are specialise to short burst fitness, they will not last a good game. The players have got the ability, but they simply cannot last the game.
JB
Guest
Just my 2 cents worth.....I know our boys are trying but we have to change our game strategy. Take pressure off thoughts about our past & start predicting the future we want. Our Wallabies aren't trusting their own judgement & backing their rugby creativity. Repeatedly slipping back into 'we can't beat Kiwis once they get more than 8 points in front" mentality. Kiwis have a hoodoo as well (World Cups) and yet we hardly exploit it. They don't play their normal game till they get double digital ahead so....... dont let them. Remember first halves in both games, we had them under pressure....2nd half we forgot the magic of the hoodoo...and they changed their playing style....gone...!! Wallaby lineouts are our Achilles heel. Lineouts are killing our momentum. We get great position in their 22. Then Bang! Pressure off with lost line out. Kiwis on other hand have quick throws before ref is set, never straight down the middle and they keep the ball & pressure. Change something for goodness sakes. Kiwis know exactly what we are going to do, where we're going to throw & they're strategy is to spoil our forward movement. We're predictable. New strategy needs to catch them out. Worst case throw the ball at their heads, make it bounce back the them....all our forwards rush them till they give the ball up. Can't hurt!! Worse case they won't know what to expect next!! Wallabies have more talent but less ticker, except for Hooper & Pocock whereas All Blacks have less talent & more ticker...even Barrett now...!! Need to change up selection to get Wallabies 'running rugby' back. Example Foley & Genia inspired try. They need space created by a forward pack willing to think unstructured, otherwise Kiwis will always unpick our damn obvious offensive sstructures.Then we go on back foot & spaces open up due to someone's uncertainty. Our Centres need "Little & Horan combo" magic again. We need to develop sub teams within the whole team, not just Forwards & Backs, to prohibit Kiwis locking up our creative running rugby.It certainly works for Kiwis...they have stolen our rugby playing style & stuck it in a black Jersey. Throw all the sticks in the air....can't hurt anymore than it does today!!
Riaan Hendricks
Roar Rookie
This article has been rendered redundant, as the match was one-sided, AGAIN!
Bodger
Roar Rookie
How we won last year is the recipe; minimal mistakes, minimal missed tackles, forwards on the front foot and win the set pieces and rucks. Simple sitting here on my keyboard. :-)
Sinclair Whitbourne
Guest
If your set piece is not secure and you are not breaking the advantage line ball in hand, taking 3 makes sense. The reality is on paper the AB's had a better side and a better balanced side and on the pitch they showed it. Enjoyed the article and the point about use of reserves I thought particularly relevant. Thanks for the read.
Cadfael
Roar Guru
To be fair, when Hooper elected to take the tap or the line kick for penalties in previous games he was simuilarloy castigated gor jnot taking the points. A no win situation id what it looks like.
Stevie B
Guest
Gee. Since you put it that way, what chance have the poor All Blacks got? ?
Pennywise
Guest
And then we'll all live happily ever after. Goodnight children. (We all float down here...)