“It was a win, but…” was how plenty of online and social media post-mortem commentary of the Wallabies began after Saturday night’s 16-10 over Argentina, and it’s wasn’t an unreasonable starting point.
There were certainly plenty of positives to be drawn out of the performance, and it’s worth beginning with them.
The Wallabies defended superbly well, and limited a noted broken play team like Los Pumas to just ten clean breaks from 151 carries for the match. Even 20 Argentinean offloads looks pretty miserly, and speaks for the pressure the Australian defenders applied.
Happily, it appears over the opening Tests of 2019 that Nathan Grey’s overly complicated, constantly shuffling, swing-your-partner-round-and-round defensive patterns have been shelved, with players pretty much remaining in position, and thus presenting a considerably less-viscous-looking defensive line.
This is only about three years overdue, and there’s an argument to be made that the Wallabies counterattack also appears in better shape because the players are essentially where they need to be. Which in turn, has to be making Shaun Berne’s new job as Wallabies attack coach easier.
The set-piece, too, was again very good.
Scott Sio’s return at loosehead brought benefits, but more importantly, the scrum didn’t retreat from its dominance once James Slipper and Taniela Tupou took over up front, or when they were joined later by hooker Tolu Latu.
The Wallabies’ Scott Sio and Will Genia. (AAP Image/Richard Wainwright)
On the other side of the coin, noted scrum doctor and Argentinean coach Mario Ledesma might achieve Sainthood if he can turn around Los Puma’s scrum, with less than two months until they face France and England in Pool C at the Rugby World Cup.
But – and there is always a ‘but’ – as so many people noted post-match and in the days since.
Certainly, the Wallabies go-forward and attacking breakdown was much improved, with Will Genia receiving significantly quicker ball than Nic White enjoyed the week before, and with Christian Lealiifano at flyhalf enjoying a return to international rugby that should just about demand this game won’t be his last for Australia before heading to Japan next season.
The Wallabies forwards carried with much more intent, were focussed on delivering quick ball back for Genia, and happily, appeared to be more aware of looking for chances to offload. Early success from second phase meant the Wallabies as a team were looking to promote the ball after contact more, and just as importantly, more players were presenting as genuine offload targets.
Now, I very deliberately use the phrase “were looking to promote the ball” here, because in actual fact, the Wallabies didn’t successfully offload any more than against South Africa the week before.
But the big difference in this game was the intent, both of the ball carriers, and of the support runners to make the offload a very real option at the very least; something that just wasn’t happening at Ellis Park.
No doubt, a number of offloaded balls that went to ground contributed to the turnovers conceded column, but again, we all saw the difference in the Wallabies attack when they looked to create broken play opportunities. Increased turnovers are going to be a by-product of offloading in traffic.
Once again, though, Tevita Kuridrani was hooked late in the game, and with James O’Connor’s romantic but thoroughly overrated return to Test rugby featuring heavily in commentary since, there is already a push for the once-exiled midfielder to start in the centres, with Samu Kerevi shuffling to outside centre.
But once again, that would be weakening would should be a strength, all in favour of what might be.
For his part, Kerevi wants to keep working with Kuridrani, telling rugby.com.au after the Test in Brisbane, “We’ve got a real combo going on – I wanted to get more ball for ‘T’ especially from last week, they had a hard line D and for us, it’s just getting more ball to those outside guys and getting Hodgey and Marika into the game.”
If the issue is that Kuridrani again isn’t being brought into the game, surely the question needs to examine why this is. And a look at the Super Rugby stat sheets provide a hint that the issue is not necessarily Kuridrani.
I reckon I counted half a dozen times when Kerevi went to the line with Kuridrani following right behind him in good position for an offload, but Kerevi either didn’t see him, or didn’t look for the offload. It’s true that Kuridrani shelled one Kerevi offload in a handy position on the field, but Kerevi still only got two successful offloads away for the game.
Kerevi was great for the Queensland Reds and according to the Fox Sports Lab, topped Super Rugby for runs, run metres per game, tackle busts, and offloads.
But a look at the numbers of Chris Feauai-Sautia for the nine games the played together as a 12-13 combination show that Kerevi’s centre partner didn’t enjoy a lot of flow-on from the no.12’s carnage. While Kerevi offloaded nearly twice a game they played together, and managed at least line break assist per game, Feauai-Sautia only managed three line breaks and five tackle busts in those nine games together.
Feauai-Sautia also carried half as many times as Kerevi, and similarly made only half as many metres per game. And yes, correlation certainly does not imply causation; but when an inside centre is dominating, and the outside centre next to him is not enjoying the fruits of that domination, it’s worth exploring why.
Samu Kerevi of Australia should be looking to offload more often. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)
And more so when Kuridrani’s Super Rugby numbers – in a team where he was probably more of the focal point in the midfield attack – show one line break and nearly three tackle busts per game. Not to mention the seven tries to Feauai-Sautia’s and Kerevi’s five each. If the Brumbies had no trouble getting Kuridrani into the game, then why can’t the Wallabies?
And why on earth is bringing O’Connor into 12 and shifting Kerevi out the solution?
It’s great the Wallabies had more intent in their attack, and the confidence that intent brought to their attack in general was clear. Koroibete’s set piece try was as good as any we’ve seen in any competition this season.
It’s similarly great that the simplified defence is working well. And even that with one in five tackles being missed, it was still clear that Australia were able to reset their line pretty efficiently when Argentina looked to counter. This can only serve them well in the coming months.
It’s great that Lealiifano enjoyed a strong return to Test rugby and now provides a genuine option at flyhalf when not that long ago it was assumed Kurtley Beale might be it.
Christian Lealiifano playing for the Wallabies in 2016. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images for HSBC)
And it’s wonderful news that David Pocock is edging closer to the return. Could an ACT Rugby Elimination Final be the kick-start that bounces him back into the Bledisloe frame? That would be great news on a number of fronts.
There’s no doubt that the ultimate pre-Rugby World Cup test now looms over two legs in Perth and Auckland.
But there’s equally no doubt that the Wallabies are in a better place for that test than they were even only a week ago.
bigtree.smallaxe
Roar Rookie
Ha! I got it on audiobook from the library as well. Or national geographic did a series on some of the topics. Out of interest what are you reading these days?
Noodles
Roar Rookie
Apparently the hair thing is uniquely Polynesian. (But not the passing and tackling
sheek
Roar Guru
'big tree.smallaxe', It was recommended to me by my brother-in-law's sister many years ago, who is very much into the intellectual & social issues of the day, & past. I did buy it & have it in my collection,& I did start reading it, but found it very heavy going. I sincerely hope I didn't toss it, as I have more time for reading now than previously. If I did toss it, I might have to consider rebutting it. Cheers
Die hard
Roar Rookie
I am not sure if Kurevi has the hair to emulate Nonu to be honest. He has displayed a serious lack of extensions this season and seems to still be stuck unable to add any serious length to his folicles. Still far too short for a Nonu likeness nominee this season at least. I also think he has to take care of the basics before he starts on more challenging aspects of being a Nonu class player such as short kicks, long kicks and extraordinary eyebrow actions. Don’t forget that when or if Kerevi does become master of these serious hair set skill and style trends, he will then still have to learn the principles of passing either to the left or to the right. Just in case its needed. And of course tackles. Must also learn the skill of tackling because when they do it we end up dazed and confused a lot. Currently Kerevi sometimes actually tackles himself out of the contest when giving it a shot so lots of gains to be made there. So all in all, to challenge to be the new Nonu, he must first; 1. develop the desired hair set and style with better stronger length. Master the art of the eyebrows. 2. Learn to pass left and right and learn to tackle. 3. Learn to hold the ball and not losing it. 4. Oh and a few kicks would be a good add on for Kerevi as well. He does do well running the ball at the opposition, at least until there is contact, where things get lost a bit and the opposition always c4eat and steal his ball in the confusion. Once he has these things in place and with a first five like Cruden or Carter and with old Conrad ‘snake-eyes Smith like player outside him everything will work out fine. Unfortunately he has to battle on with what’s-his-name and TK who each season get a little more ordinary like the life of Benjamin Button. Start big then fade away.And here’s hoping an unlikely Nonu/Goodhue combination is trued out on Saturday Unless you’re George Gregan ‘Where there’s hair there’s hope! has long been the law at rugby oz style hq.
bigtree.smallaxe
Roar Rookie
Have you ever read the book "Guns, Germs and Steel" by Jared Diamond? If you haven't, I think you'd enjoy it Sheek
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
Damn spellcheck
Suzy Poison
Guest
Peter K, just quietly Rassie thinks the All Blacks have employed rush defence too, and there was a huge difference in line speed rush defence for them compared to last year's Wellington game. https://www.sarugbymag.co.za/watch-springbok-media-conference-53/
sheek
Roar Guru
Buster, Yeah, I agree wirh this. As I've often said about our past rugby history, Australia has produced many fine individual players, but too few outstanding teams. Lack of national footprint, lack of overall numbers, lack of quality players & coaches, these are historical problems. Plus an administration that doesn't always have the best interest of the game.
sheek
Roar Guru
Stu, It might be too easy to generalise. The recently retired TPN gave 100% almost everytime he played, & his somtimes plenty mistake rate was a sympton of his passion. I do wonder if making citizenship easy for Islanders affects their commitment. But only they know the depth of their commitment to Australia. Indeed, the question is relevant to any Wallaby player, of any heritage. But maybe the truth is, the quality just isn't there. Maybe the guys are trying hard enough, but not getting the results. I guess I end up where I started - blame our systems, our structures.
mtiger
Roar Rookie
The present day Oz rugby does not show the way that it is awesome to be the flyhalf of the Wallabies. Because awesomeness had eluded the flyhalf position. Just keep on believing in a strong defence 10, game management and individual skill, and before long Oz will see more kids willing to play 10. In 10 years, you will then not have TK, SK debate, as there will be enough players wanting so hard to play best 10 growing up, and when the best of them play at 10 and keeping the shirt, they will develop as a ball playing 13. So today, if there is any change, it is really, a 15 who is not Beale, and JOC to 13.
Stu
Roar Rookie
So which 'ethnicity group' do you think would die for the immensely proud heritage of the Wallaby jersey for a full 80 minutes every single match? Polynesians? Or Anglo-players? Or none? Because no-one ever asks that question - the heart question - the bleeding for that green and gold jersey question. Do the players care? What do the player stats say? To a player, the Wallabies almost never show individual, gut-busting pride per game like every one of the Kiwi players do, every game - they are relentless to a player - we are not even close - why the surprise we lose often? Kiwis train for a week and show remarkable improvement or change from one game to the next. We continue the same stupid, basic flaws, unimproved, from one game to the next, week after week, year-on-year.. how is this even possible, other than it being a lack of drive and passion in the jersey? Regardless of skin colour, I can think of Sean MacMahon, and Dave Pocock as about the only two fearless warriors who front up with their baIIs on the line, every single game, and already play to a very high level. Where are the player stats for these metrics of genuine passion? It's only the most important stat of all. If it were measurable, it might make for sobering reading.
Noodles
Guest
Muzzo: yep, I think that is my point. He can improve to that level. he certainly can’t aspire to be Polynesian (not sure why he would but there you go)
buster
Guest
Most Australian rugby players , white or Polynesian, aboriginal or otherwise, are at a disadvantage because they rarely come into contact with quality coaching designed to bring them thru to the highest levels of play. Not their fault, nor the coaches fault, in the main. If some funds trickled down to the grassroots to support a system designed to have everyone on the same page, we may have a different result. And I'm not talking about the main centres of the rugby world, but more the regional areas. Get some of those rawboned lean & tough country boys involved in the game . Although it is said any country boy that's any good usually ends up boarding at Nudgee.
PeterK
Roar Guru
the discussion was how most backs required improvement in passing and offloading and you chimed in that none of those players missed 31% of tackles. Half those players requiring improvement in skills in fact missed more than 31% of tackles. So then you want to shift to goal posts to an unrelated aspect of this discussion i.e which specific position they play and also include a forward for good measure. My statements are objectively and factually correct yours are subjective and your opinion.
Malotru
Roar Rookie
I was being a little 'tongue in cheek' Geoff. From what I've seen over the years most AB players have a least a little guile. In truth I think any player without guile would be a very limited player.
Malotru
Roar Rookie
Exactly what I had in mind also Noodles.
Oblonsky‘s Other Pun
Roar Guru
Nah, I just don't think it was Kerevi's fault. You're trying to find a way to justify making everything his fault, as you always have. Thankfully, it seems no one in the Wallabies camp agrees with you about his incompetence :)
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
Ritchie, Rory, Fardy, Bobby and Brett walk into a bar in Marseilles. And the Batman says ‘What is this? Some kind of joke?”
taylorman
Roar Guru
In fact I think it served him well last time. Beating NZ in oz before the tournament in 11 and 15 had them in a good place going into the tourn proper.
Connor33
Guest
PK - you’re not comparing apples to apples—and the thing is, you know as much. Why didn’t you offer up the stats of: - 10 CLL’s stats: 9 tackles: 2 missed. Or - 13 TK’s: 9:2 Or even... - 7 Hooper: 17:3 Kerevi sits at 9 tackles 4 missed at 31% missed. Each of the above players are in a similar ‘channel’—either inside or outside— to Kerevi, with Hooper defending a lot in the centers to limit Kerevi’s burden. But the examples you give are all instances of players making 1 or 2 tackles and missing 1 or 2. This lends itself to 50% far more easily despite missing less tackles. You call folks out folks for so called “intellectual dishonesty” or whatever the term is; but you label yourself with the same brand when trying to defend the impossible—i.e. that Kerevi can tackle. Nothing is further from the truth, especially if we were to go to his SR stats. C’mon.