The headline in the Sunday Telegraph gave the wrong impression of the outcome of the gripping Test between the Wallabies (19) and Los Pumas (23): “Folau’s shocker costs his country.”
Israel Folau did not lose the Test. The Wallabies lost the Test.
Rugby is the epitome of a team game. Every player in the team wins when the team wins. And every player is responsible for the loss when the team losses.
The fact of the matter is that one error does not create a victory for the opposition. The Test is played over 80 minutes, and more in this case. Virtually everything that happens, including Folau’s extravagant brain-fade, is part of the win or the loss.
This is the point that Steve Hansen made when asked about Beauden Barrett’s woeful kicking (only two successful shots out of six) in the All Blacks’ shock 34-36 loss to the Springboks: “We lost the game because we allowed South Africa to score 36 points and that’s something we can control as a team.”
The Wallabies, for instance, made 17 handling errors. This compares with the four that were conceded in the victory over the Springboks.
They lost or threw crookedly into crucial lineouts.
The much-heralded scrum domination did not eventuate.
Backline movements got mixed up. There seemed to be too much emphasis on completing the rehearsed movement rather than playing what was opening up in front of the Wallaby runners.
At crucial moments in the Test, skills gave away to panic play. Not long before Folau’s mistake, Nick Phipps threw a pass to the sideline when more composed play might have created the winning try.
(Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)
As Michael Cheika pointed out, there seemed to be a lack of energy in the Wallabies’ play compared to the desperation and commitment they displayed against the Springboks.
Perhaps the quick point-scoring start by the Wallabies (as it did with the All Blacks) lulled the home side into rushing play and trying to score off every movement of the ball.
And there is this consideration, too. There is a tendency for commentators (and I include myself in this category) to see what happens on the field from the viewpoint of their home team.
So the Sunday Telegraph headline highlighted Folau’s mistake in taking on the defence a couple of metres from the try line when a simple catch-and-pass play would have seen Bernard Foley stroll over for a try.
This needs saying, as well, the Pumas defence was magnificent in this final play. A lesser side, or indeed the Pumas of other years, would have folded under the onslaught from the Wallabies.
When Folau stepped in field through two defenders, a third defender, lock Tomas Lavanini (how is this for commitment!), sprinted across and smashed him so hard that the ball was spilled forward.
There is a deeper point that needs to be discussed regarding this incident.
Did Folau not pass because he didn’t have the skills to make the simple transfer?
How many times do we see Folau actually passing a ball?
He virtually never carries the ball in two hands. He tends to tuck it under his arm and run until he is tackled, or not tackled as he did in his run in the 19th minute of play when he beat four defenders on a scything, goose-stepping breakout to score a sensational try.
Folau is a terrific runner. He is a prolific try scorer. He is without equal under the high ball, as he showed during the Test. But he has no passing skills, no kicking skills (despite the AFL training), no positioning insights and no game nous.
(AAP Image/Craig Golding)
In that last play, his great strengths as a player, his instinct to break the line or attempt to break it with power running, became a weakness.
The play screamed out for a simple catch-and-pass, something that virtually everyone in the Wallabies squad can do.
Everyone, it seems, except Folau.
The point here is that how is it possible that the simple catch-and-pass skill seemingly hasn’t been mastered by Folau? Has he even been drilled in this skill over the years?
Now back to the Pumas. They were not only staunch in defence when it was absolutely required. They were often brilliant on attack, when it was absolutely required.
Nicholas Sanchez, a temperamental playmaker, who was a ‘diver’ early in his career, scored a brilliant try to bring the Pumas back in the Test after conceding early 7-3 and 14-10 leads.
Then there was the brilliant try quicksilver winger Bautista Delguy scored after a breakout from inside the Pumas’ half by Pablo Matera.
The Pumas are developing a formidable mix of aggressive, hard tackling and running forwards, driven around the field by a smart, highly skilled playmaker and a back three of pace, high skills and the ability to play brilliantly what looms up before them.
The Pumas showed against the All Blacks that they were a formidable team in the making. The victory over the Wallabies confirmed this.
I thought that Stephen Larkham’s banter earlier in the week about their new and impressive coach Mario Ledesma was not warranted in the light of this performance in New Zealand and their earlier victory over the Springboks in Argentina.
(Photo by Steve Haag/Gallo Images/Getty Images)
Even in jest a coach should not have said the things Larkham said about Ledesma, especially the ill-mannered quip querying his fitness to be a head coach.
Imagine what the outcry would have been if Steve Hansen had said, even in jest, about Cheika or Larkham at the Brumbies that “honestly, I don’t know how he’s a head coach.”
Greg Clark made the point before the Test began that the Wallabies’ attacking record was at its worst level in the 2018 Tests for 30 years. This is hardly an endorsement of Larkham’s ability as the Wallabies attack coach.
The Wallabies now tumble to number 7 on the World Rugby rankings table for international teams, too, their worst result since the official rankings began.
Things are not looking good for the Wallabies’ hopes in the 2019 Rugby World Cup.
On the other hand, the Pumas and the Springboks – by scoring tough victories out of their own countries – have shown that they are capable of winning Tests that ordinarily they have lost over the years.
The Pumas last won in Australia before Saturday night 35 years ago, back in 1983.
The Springboks hadn’t beaten the All Blacks in New Zealand since 2009, when they won twice. The loss, too, was the home side’s first in the Rugby Championship in three years.
The irony in all of this is that senior respected rugby writers around the world, including the veteran Wayne Smith in The Australian (“World must catch up to the Kiwis, lest their dominance kills off any notion of hope”), have seriously argued this nonsensical proposition: “It would be an entirely more fascinating game if the All Blacks didn’t exist, or if they did exist but exerted the same influence as, say, the Black Caps in cricket. Then it would be anyone’s World Cup next year.”
(AAP Image/ David Rowland)
Any who believes this nonsense does not understand that it is virtually impossible to win three Rugby World Cups on the trot.
Only one side has won back-to-back tournaments, the All Blacks in 2011 and 2015.
The Wallabies won their two World Cups with two virtually different sides in 1991 and 1999.
The Springboks, too, collected their two victories with a similar 12-year gap, in 1995 and 2007.
The first two tournaments won by the All Blacks had an even bigger year gap, 1987 and 2011.
On their showings in various tournaments and important one-off Tests, you would say that teams with an evident chance to win the 2019 Rugby World Cup include England, Ireland, South Africa, Argentina and New Zealand.
Bernard Foley of the Wallabies looks dejected (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
I would rate Wales, France, Scotland and Australia as teams with an outside chance of winning if everything clicked for them and they had some luck with potential opponents being eliminated.
We need to remember that the Springboks were within a couple of points of defeating the All Blacks in the 2015 semi-final and Scotland were within a couple of minutes of doing the same to the Wallabies.
The worrying thing about all of this is that virtually every team in with a chance, even if it an outside chance, to win in 2019 has had victories and performances that give some hope that they are on the rise.
I say virtually all these team because there is one team, the Wallabies, that seem to have gone backwards this year following on from a disappointing 2017 Test campaign.
You would think that the Wallabies have to win at least one of their coming overseas Tests against the Springboks and the Pumas to change this depressing narrative.
Kirky
Roar Rookie
Rhys Bosley! To be the highest paid player in the World, you would surely have been deemed by your peers as exactly that, the ''Ace world Player'' being paid that huge amount whatever it may be for his prowess on the field and in his specialist position; coupled with his value to the Team as that top Player anywhere absolute! ~ I would say that Michael Hooper is almost one and the same as Folau, but what is it that these player have that makes them such top money earners? ~ Folau although he has good days the bad days he incurs on himself negate those good ones as does Hooper! ~ It seems as if the Powers that be of Australian Rugby had stars in their eyes when granting those guys in particular the enormous and exorbitant sum they have, particularly with the state of the Rugby Australia coffers being in the very ordinary state that they are (or so we are told), because in fact these two players plus very likely a few other Wallaby players who earn a very good amount of coin when carry that so called .''best going around tag'' as deemed by the Hierarchy of Rugby Australia when the simple fact is they are not the best around or anywhere near it, therefore they have wasted their money! As you say Rhys "that doesn't seem to like a good investment to me''
Harry Jones
Expert
Excellent article, Spiro.
clipper
Roar Rookie
Yes, think it's great the Pumas seem to be going from strength to strength - good for the Rugby world, but unfortunately not good for Australian Rugby, who now slide to their lowest ranking at No. 7.
ScottD
Roar Guru
Good article, Spiro. I totally agree. There were 80 minutes of reasons why the WB's lost this game and we shouldn't get hung up on 15 seconds. Having said that, what a good month the Pumas are having. A win against SA and Australia and pushing the AB's to the wire in NZ. They would be very happy campers. And the Boks deserve massive credit for the turn around between their WB loss and AB win. What a joy for rugby lovers worldwide.... I am really looking forward to the rest of the rugby championship. Anything could happen with NZ having to win away from home against two worthy foes. It has been a few years since we have been able to say that at this stage of the championship!!
Ulises Gasparin
Guest
Actually, Argentina has some quality players overseas, that could fit perfectly into the team weakness or even to bring some experience and quality to the bench: Juan Ffigallo, Marcelo Bosch, Benjamin Urdapilleta, Patricio Fernandez, Santiago Cordero, Gomez Kodela, etc.
ADP
Guest
"There was an element of All Black arrogance....". Funny - I'd say their is a strong element of that in your post. The points the AB's scored are down to team brilliance, and the points they missed due to the failings of an individual. The intercept tries of the SB's are the result of good fortune (not pressure for instance), and the "outstanding guts and determination" shown by each of the SB players in achieving this unlikely win does not equate to the SB's "as a team" deserving the win. At best it "maybe" means they "deserve" to win. I don't see the "logic" in what you are saying at all - look more like sour grapes. Relax mate - AB's are still no.1. Nobody is saying any different.
Faith
Roar Rookie
Argentina will also have Fecundo Issa and Imhoff. Those are both world class players and they will make a difference. If Argies continue with current team and Ledesma they will cause problems ... England and France take note for group stages. And of course there's Tonga ... who will hurt some players even if they don't win ...
DaveJ
Roar Rookie
Of course it’s eccentric, or let’s say a least illogical to have tries scored near the posts worth more than those scored near the sideline, particularly when intercepts, which are inherently more lucky and less reliant and teamwork, are the most likely tries to be scored under the posts. I understand you’re sensitive about someone implying SA wasn’t the superior team. But the facts are that NZ dominated every category except goalkicking - possession, territory, line breaks, tries scored - all the essential rugby stats. SA’s defence was enormous, but they still let in more tries than NZ. And they managed to score more points only thanks to two intercept tries and more successfully kicks at goal. But maybe SA still “deserved” to win. There was an element of All Black arrogance that led to at least one of the intercepts - the ridiculous throw in by Barrett reeked of overconfidence and verged on disrespect.
HenryHoneyBalls
Roar Rookie
Not convinced Argentina will benefit that much from overseas players anymore. I reckon most of their best players play with the Jaguares now. Of the overseas players I can only think of Juan Imhoff, Facundo Isa and maybe Carriza that might be added. Is there anyone else? All of Ireland, Wales and Scotland also have overseas players that they can draw on too. Who other than Fardy would make it into the Australia side? SA definitely could draw some big names home. Ireland have Ian Madigan, Paddy Jackson, Simon Zebo and Donnacha Ryan playing overseas for example. All established internationals.
HenryHoneyBalls
Roar Rookie
Ireland also used their 4th choice 7 Jordi Murphy for almost the whole series. SOB, JVdF and Leavy all missing.
Jockstrap
Roar Rookie
No more high playing fees as they just go to the pockets of the Mosman RA.
Neil Back
Roar Rookie
Buddy, that wasn't meant as an excuse for you to blow your NZ trumpet playing the hard done to tune. I say a four-year slide to mirror Cheika's tenure. Australia has been able to inflate its ranking in the past to a top three position by virtue of knicking the odd game against highly ranked NZ and Bok teams (as I said before, the losses didn't hurt them). A key difference now is that Cheika is losing against the NH more frequently and knicking a Bok win hasn't counted for much recently. His player management, tactics, selections and choice of coaching staff is fundamental to that ledger. In four years he has taken Australia from a scratchy RWC final and a consistent appearance in the top three rankings (going all the way back to Eddie) to their lowest ever world ranking, and as I pointed out previously, that could so easily have been one or two places lower. It's not optimism, it's not pessimism. It's realism.
elvis
Roar Rookie
What business land do you live in? When the receivers come in the management are the first to get the bullet... then you decide what staff you need to do the job properly. Imagine RA was operating in a free market and Twiggy came in, I wonder how many RA staff would keep their jobs.. one can only wish...
jcmasher
Roar Rookie
In all fairness Folau can’t pass to the right anyway so even if he had drawn and passed, god only knows where the ball would have gone
elvis
Roar Rookie
Maybe he was aiming at the posts to make it more challenging?
Rugby Tragic
Roar Rookie
And TM ... we were sitting in the lounge on the 4th floor .. it was fine ... the meal was great before the match... but to watch the match, I think I'd prefer to be a level or two lower ... But, mate... a great game to be at .. love games that either side can win ... a game for the ages for mine. ... It was the first match, that ALB made an error in black ... that intercepted pass was never one ... 9 times again out of 10, I'd reckoned he would have taken the tackle .... other might suggest that it was 50/50 ... yeah maybe but I am used to seeing the guy make ONLY good decisions!
Rugby Tragic
Roar Rookie
Neutral, no one country has been in the position that the AB's find themselves in ... a change to win '3 in a row'... Maybe its MY own 'desire, arrogance, hope, or naive belief' but I think the can and take out the trifecta ... When the AB's came out and performed the Haka, it was "Ka-mate, Ka-mate" ... now this is MY arrogance (for which I apologise in advance ...) I thought is they felt the SB's were a threat ... the Haka would have been "Kapa o Pango", the Haka scripted more for the All Blacks, rather that "Ka-mate, Ka-mate" .... this sounds as though the AB's were over confident to me. I think is is much more difficult to stay at the top, rather then climb the rungs and I take my hat off to Hansen and crew for being able to stay up top for so long... When asked by Harry Jones for a prediction ... I instantly responded, 'closer game than most were predicting but the AB's by 13+ .... I got one part of that right... 'close'..
Bluesfan
4 Year slide - you last held the BC in 2002, the only times you have won the RC was in WC year 2011 and 2015 when for away games the AB's did not put out first string selections in a shortened comp. Prior to that the last time you won the Tri-Nations as it was at that time was 2002. So here is a reality - it's not a 4 year slide - it's being going a lot longer than that. However there have being bright spots - WC final 15, Brisbane last year etc - I would rather try and be optimistic for the Wallabies and not pessimistic.
Stu B.
Guest
Spiro an easy fix, banker Clyne could cut another super team, makes sense we think not. Just amazing how creative these bankers and x bankers can be.
Buckman
Guest
Cheika has shown an interesting change in attitude of late. He is now talking about “what we can manage/control”, similar to Hansen’s ethos that you look after your own work first and then you shouldn’t have to worry about the ref. Have to wonder though whether that’s Cheika trying to be someone he just isn’t. His success has come from being abrasive, focussing on team unity and loyalty and creating the siege mentality. Suddenly trying to go Hansen zen isn’t his personality and could be a sign he needs to move on.