Okay, a moment of honesty here to kick things off. At halftime in this game I was sketching out this article and putting together some headlines to focus on – and as you can imagine, they were all pretty negative.
Surely this would be the last article I would write about the Wallabies while Michael Cheika was in charge.
And then it happened. The biggest come back in the history of the Rugby Championship, 38 points scored in the second half alone and a key away win for the Wallabies.
So without further ado, let’s start to pick apart the main talking points from that incredible and bizarre game of rugby.
There’s lots that we could focus on, from how impressive David Pocock was again, to how the second row functioned well for a change, or how the entire front row needed changing very early. So where shall we start…
Will the real Wallabies please stand up?
In 80 minutes of rugby we got to see the best and the worst of the Wallabies and it is causing fans all sorts of confusion and frustration.
If the men in gold had played throughout in the same terrible way they played in the first half then at least we would know where we stand and our Sunday could be focused on that line of debate.
Instead we don’t know what on earth is going on. In the first half the Aussies missed 20 tackles, made seven handling errors and conceded six penalties.
In the second half they missed just three tackles, made just two handling errors and gave away only four penalties.
And here is one of the challenges that Michael Cheika faces – the gap between the Wallabies at their best and at their worst is still far too big.
No one really doubts that the Aussies have it in them to play good rugby and win important games, but we know also that they’re capable of playing like an NRC side whose best players are out injured.
(Photo by Daniel Jayo/Getty Images)
Run straight and hold the ball
In the second half, as the Wallabies pulled in the Pumas point by point, it was interesting to see that it wasn’t outrageous skill or flashy rugby that was making the difference. It was good old-fashioned tactics including running straight and retaining possession.
Two of the Wallabies tries came at the end of 11 and 9 phases of attack respectively and looked relatively straightforward – not because they were, but because by that point the Pumas had been properly stretched and the space was there for the Wallabies to take advantage of.
On the flip side we also got to see one of the most frustrating things the Wallabies do…..
Going early too soon
Right from the off the Wallabies seemed desperate to spin the ball out wide to their wings as quickly as possible.
No one was hitting the line in the midfield or looking to run straight and pin their man before passing. It was all about getting the ball out wide, fast.
Funnily enough it didn’t work. Time and again the Aussie wingers were taking the ball with no space to play with and a Puma already wrapping them up.
If the Aussies are going to get better then they have to remember that age-old cliche – you have to earn the right to go wide.
When the Aussies tried to punch holes in the midfield first and keep the ball for a few phases there was, unsurprisingly, space out wide for the Wallabies to exploit.
The Wallabies’ biggest foe is……themselves!
Too many times the Wallabies made a bad situation worse for themselves. In the first half they were struggling to find rhythm and for long passages were being forced to make tackle after tackle as the Pumas monopolised possession.
This made it all the more frustrating to then see some of the choices that the Wallabies made when they did have the ball briefly.
In 29th minute Kurtley Beale took a great high ball and defused a potentially dangerous situation. The Pumas had their tails up and looked like they could run up a cricket score against the visitors so Beale’s take was important.
But even before he landed he decided to try and get the ball away – he popped a pass out which Reece Hodge was understandably not expecting and failed to regather properly meaning he was easy to tackle into touch.
Also in the first half the Wallabies were able to steal the ball back in a tackle and a chance to relieve some pressure was theirs.
But instead of holding onto the ball and starting to run through some phases, Will Genia kicked ahead and the ball ran out over the dead ball line.
Perhaps even more worrying is that those two mistakes came from two of the most experienced players in the Wallabies set up – the types of players who others look to when things are going wrong for some control and game management.
Speaking of Beale…
(Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
What’s going on with Kurtley?
The guy has not looked comfortable for a few games now. He is making far too many poor choices and far too many handling errors for someone who is meant to be one of the best players in the world.
He is running sideways time and time again and he’s really not posing any threat to opposition sides.
At a very simple level, when you’re attacking with ball in hand, you want to force the defence in to having to make decisions and making it tricky for them because they are confronted with variables and options. They make a decision and then you exploit it.
But with Beale this just isn’t happening – he isn’t forcing the defence to make a decision at all or to worry about which option he might pick.
He’s not creating anything, his lateral movement is cramping the players outside him and his handling errors are gifting possession back to the opposition without them having to work for it.
If the Wallabies are going to threaten on the Spring Tour or in 2019 then Kurtley has got to find his mojo again.
Is this a turning point?
While blogging about this match I commented at halftime that we’ll learn a lot about the Wallabies in the second half and in particular about the culture that the Michaels, Cheika and Hooper, have created.
After a first half performance like the one we saw it takes more than just a tactical change to come back and compete, let alone win.
Based on the second half performance there really is something that could be a core foundation for the Wallabies to build on.
Perhaps the 40-minute mark in this game will be looked on in the future as this team’s low and turning point.
The Wallabies have a hard few weeks ahead of them – another match against the All Blacks and then a Northern Hemisphere tour at the end of a hard season.
But this could be the point where the Wallabies launch their attack on the 2019 World Cup.
They’ve been to some very dark places together this season and today they fought back together and won together.
Let’s see if they can keep this up.
ChrisG
Roar Rookie
I agree. The best attacking ploy he came up with the Brumbies was a driving maul?
ThugbyFan
Roar Guru
Mike, "Hooper outplayed Pocock today. Not one turnover from Pocock that I remember." You have got to be kidding me, I don't know who got the MotM award but David Pocock was easily the best player on the field and that's for the whole 80 minutes. Yes this was also easily Hooper's best game for this RC as in the 2nd half he Finally reverted to playing how an openside should play, body in the dirty stuff and attacking rucks. He should have been playing NRC to get match fitness, for all the good he was in the two matches against the AB and he seems to have been in cruise control in the other matches he played. Some stats for you. Hooper 1 turnover Pocock 2; Hooper 13 tackles and 1 miss Pocock 18 tackles and 2 misses; both scored 1 try but which player had a big role in 2 others? Hint his initials are DP. Add who was doing the heavy tackles, who was creating havoc in the rucks and who was carting the ball up through heavy traffic while the other bloke was attending his curls and you might see why even the ARU website gave Pocock a 9/10 while Hooper got a 7/10.
Renzeau
Roar Rookie
Hi Olly I agree with your comments. You need a true fullback DHP reminds me of Ben Smith he has the skills. Banks on the wing is a great option. Kurtley Beale to the bench as a impact player. Toomua to 12. They really are missing a true center. I do have a question what style of game should the Wallabies play ? Taking into count the players they have. Disclaimer i am a New Zealander but live in Australia. ( All Black fan). I really want the the Wallabies to get back to there best.
Hoy
Roar Guru
Did you see the interview put up on social media from Foley? He was saying being dropped allowed him to look at other 5/8s and what they do etc... what he could do to improve his game... It just shows that the Wallabies are completely out of touch with the fan's expectations... We stink up the place, and a dropped player, who has had NO competition for his role for 2 years mind you, says they can use this opportunity to assess their own game and maybe improve... Club players look to improve their games at every opportunity... they are watching footage, they are doings extras etc... I am hopeful that Foley does extras etc. I truly am. But to say what he said? Just shows they don't quite understand yet how upset some/most fans are with the Wallabies at the moment.
Olly
Guest
I think people mean all of them have to go and that is what happens when a new head coach comes in. The Head Coach is responsible for his assistant coaches. There is no doubt that Larkhams attack with this continual long ball attack the wide channels is not working. And the def structure is terrible. We have wingers swapping sides in def all game. No wonder they don't have the legs under them when in attack. This fatigue has to be contributing to errors
Olly
Guest
Simple, he lacks playmaking ability as is required by the modern fullback and he has been criticized for this regularly. Izzy is also not a fullback, he is a finisher as is Banks and should be on the wing. And seriously, the Brumbies attack was terrible this year as it lacked options and was clearly and rightly criticised for this. Also performing against mixed up teams in the wallabies trial games is far from a good indicator. Def is always rubbish in put together teams and if you have not notice the wallabies have been rubbish.
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
Foley does not miss tackles. Only Cooper misses tackles. That is why Foley is 10, and Cooper is......? Catch up. Sheesh! Btw, I love Foley - as a bench utility or trustworthy back up in the wider squad. He is not what a tier one team needs at 10 to craft a cup winning attack.
Purdo
Guest
On first watching the game, I thought there was at least one forward pass in the DHP/Pocock try (could Folau have done what DHP did in getting the ball to Pocok?) But this morning on The Roar, I've seen some replays from high angles and I'm satisfied there was no forward pass. It's a pity Pocock is not a bit faster. He got himself in good position, and made some good passes to people in better positions - had good hands and actually knew where to pass. I didn't like the flick pass Koroboite attempted, when he needed to take the ball to the ground - better to take a tackle and go down than give off low percentage passes.
Garry
Guest
No mention of GSmith? One of the best over the ruck ball, but check out his recent seasons in the UK, playing a great link game, almost playing a six role. In the running for the GOAT?
Mike
Guest
GEORGE smith was the best 7 ever. Hooper outplayed Pocock today. Not one turnover from Pocock that I remember. You can’t drop the better players in the team. It was noticeable that once the front row change the forwards began off loading in the middle of the park. This was exactly how the pumas played in the first half. It’s a simple game if you go to the line to dram and pass. Unfortunately oz players skill level is very average in forwards. I think it is due to all those elastic bands they play with at training. We always see ball handling footage of other teams at training but not the wallabies they are pulling each other around with elastic bands.
cookie
Roar Guru
The Team reeks of complacency. Week in Week out they turn up to get a pay cheque. It wasn't until Cheika's half time 'if we lose I won't have a job' spray that they decided to get off their backsides. It seems losing has become the norm and the Complacabies don't mind.
Rhys Bosley
Roar Pro
Yes the Pumas are on the way up, but it doesn't change my view on Cheika. His coaching methods simply don't work on a consistent basis, he can only ever expect to get the odd win when other teams aren't playing well. That is not good enough for a Spring Tour or Rugby Championship campaign, let alone the World Cup.
Ray L
Roar Rookie
Yes, my thoughts entirely False dawn. I was actually hoping that the Argies would win, so that it would bring about a revolution in the whole structure and governance of Australian Rugby. I've never experienced the disappoint before of an opposition team losing, particularly after being so far in front. Does this Wobblies' win now mean that all's good, no need to worry, just keep on doing what we're doing? I don't think so! It's difficult to comprehend the dramatic change in attitude and skill levels of the Wallabies in the 2nd half, not that Argentina were that bad. Perhaps you are right, in total frustration they ignored the coaching staff after his half time rant and took it upon themselves to play the game the way they know how can make them winners. It would be interesting to know, if this is the case, who lead the charge. I bet it wasn't Hooper.
Crash Ball2
Guest
I know the ref was talking about “open hand”, but am I the only one that saw a very direct elbow to the head? I thought: red with several weeks / months, instantly.
stu
Guest
Yep he missed 3 or 4 completely. Is that the critical measure of a FH these days...Probably not eh?
Vman2
Roar Rookie
How about a reality check. The Wallabies score should have been 7 points less. They were given a try after a forward pass that the refs should never had awarded. Hence the only reason the Wallabies were not sodden spooners was due to a serious error by the ref. Shades of WC in fact. The real analysis should be based on the fact that the Wallabies rightful place in the competition is 4th and last were it not for a ref error. We should be making decisions based on that. Instead all the talk is about a great turn around. Its the worse possible outcome because the denial will continue.
jameswm
Roar Guru
For one thing Toomua can actually tackle. Foley missed 2-3 poor ones.
Lara
Guest
The RA , Cheika n the Wallabies dodged a bullet, but the signs are clearly there. It is only a matter of time, before your luck runs out. You can be out of sorts in a game n win, but to be so much off the mark n still win means you are brilliant or just plain lucky. The Wallabies are far from brilliant ,so is it the later. The comeback was brilliant, the Pumas folded, n everybody should be happy.....the problem however is still there, nothing has been answered. What do we get when the Wallabies play again ?
Fox
Roar Guru
We heard beating the All blacks in Brisbane was turning point and look what has happened since then - they still finished with the worst points difference -52 Puma -47. If they give away those leads to the best sides in the game it will be another story
Brizvegas
Guest
Anyone doing a scorecard or players rating? The only one to get more than a handful would be Pocock. A 2nd half win was great for the Wallabies but not so good for the overall good of the game here. False dawns have given hope to the hopeless. Sanchez being replaced made it easier for the Wallabies. However people complaining about Korobite and his lack of positioning nous. I reckon this stems from having pkayers around you not sure of their positions enter Beale Folau and Hooper The coach is willing to take new players away but not to use them. Hanigan will be coming up to 20 tests soon and he is about as useful as tits on a bull. I watched Tongan 4 do not much apart from the obligatory set pieces (sure he had 3 or 4 posts written about him being the go to guy for the Wallabies. ) And Foley is hopeless but the best there is apparently and not Toomua or even Cooper? So Beale has this uncanny talent for attack but leaves his defence in the changing room. Poor Nathan Grey how hard is it to set up a defensive pattern when half your backline doesn't like to tackle or know where they should be positioned. All Blacks will give their 2nds a run to get some combinations and exposure. I am looking forward to seeing the dead rubber cliaked as a training run for 1 team.