If Australia fall short at this Rugby World Cup it won’t be because of chinks in their tight forward play.
That assessment came from a team who know a good scrum and lineout when they see it – Georgia – whose leading figures declared the Wallabies are among the world’s finest set piece exponents.
Australian coach Michael Cheika looks set to tell his team to keep running and passing when they play in next week’s quarter-finals.
Before then, he hopes to have found a solution for their patchy attacking rhythm.
Yet in the eyes of veteran Georgia captain Merab Sharikadze, the Wallabies’ strength lies with the bigger bodies of the tight five.
The Eastern Europeans pack some clout of their own at scrum and lineout time yet they were monstered off the park in Shizuoka on Friday.
“Lineout, Australia are a very strong team, I’m pretty sure their analysis is one of the best in the world. They knew what we were going to do,” Sharikadze said.
“In the scrum, they’ve improved a lot. They didn’t used to be the best team in the scrum but I reckon now they’re one of the best teams in the world.”
Departing Georgia coach Milton Haig scouted plenty of tier one sides during his eight-year tenure and rates the Wallabies highly up front.
It’s why he’ll take it as an insult if critics lay into Cheika’s team for the way they struggled to break down The Lelos’ watertight defence.
“If they’re going to take a slating from their media, I think that’s definitely disrespectful to us,” Haig said.
“They’re fit, they’re a very good side, they’ve got good set piece now. Their lineout is very good. Even their maul now, they’ve developed that over the last wee while.”
It was no surprise the player of the match came from the Wallabies tight five, although second-rower Izack Rodda played down the individual award, believing honours should be shared between his forwards comrades.
One of the best young players in the Australian game, he believes the pack is being primed to deliver a big performance against likely opponents England in the October 19 quarter-final.
“Our forward pack’s been improving since the Rugby Championship and I’m really happy with how we’re going in lineout and scrum. We’re starting to really gel as a pack,” Rodda said.
“I think we have a skilful forward pack, very dynamic.”
John R
Roar Guru
Another key piece of information that has been missed, is that Raiwalui took over coaching the lineout from Mick Byrnes, and it has paid tangible dividends. It's a shame he isn't given more credit.
Bobby
Roar Rookie
Suppose he IS the coach ATM. Next year may be different. We shall see
Bodger
Roar Rookie
Wonder if Vunipola will recover in time for the match.
Oblonsky‘s Other Pun
Roar Guru
Because Cheika is a terrible selector and he got the squad he wanted (as everything that the selection panel said supported).
adastra32
Roar Rookie
Think the last time Georgia played England was at RWC 2011.
Bobby
Roar Rookie
Why do you think he was left out of RWC squad when he is admittedly the fastest (thereaboutes) winger/fullback in Australia?
Realist271
Guest
Yeah TK is terrible with the ball...not
Realist271
Guest
I'm not sure that Kerevi is working for us. Not using TK has been a tragedy.
Realist271
Guest
Beale has been trash for years. Played well in Perth and then followed it up with the worst performance from a wallaby fullback I've ever seen. Been poor this world cup.
Oblonsky‘s Other Pun
Roar Guru
Have you watched the Brumbies play? He’s not a highlight reel player. He does most of the kicking, is the fulcrum of the attack when he comes in at second receiver. Main question is over his front on defence (but this is the case for most fullbacks). His cover defence is excellent.
Oblonsky‘s Other Pun
Roar Guru
Karl’s scrummaging declined though, that’s when he lost his spot.
Double Agent
Guest
If Nick Kyrgios could play all the time like the time he beat Federer and Nadal then he'd be a champion. He just can't.
Liam Watson
Guest
This is a very sensible forum with great passionate people who have a lot of smarts about the game they love. Honestly, what on earth is a reference to"what Phil Kearns thinks" doing here. The guy was a good player but he is so biased he literally leaves his common sense in the garage everytime he leaves the house. He's a frothing troll. I trust either of your opinions more than any that take his thoughts into account. Please don't degrade yourselves by listening seriously to a guy like that.
Stin
Roar Rookie
Other than Alan Jones being the Alan Jones of rugby...
Stin
Roar Rookie
Kearns is the Alan Jones of rugby.
Fox
Roar Guru
Well, the England game will tell us more as that is England's core strength and they have beaten the Wallabies in the 6 encounters and that was driven by their pack. Improved - yes - but the Wallabies have issues with an unsettled back row - Pooper or no Pooper but they have discovered a genuine no8 at long last. I think the English back row has more power in the contact over the 3 players lead by Underhill and Vinopola...we shall see. Bring on the quarters.
pm
Roar Rookie
Huge pity he does
pm
Roar Rookie
Yep, definitely it's been more the backs that have been less effective. But the input of Toomua and O'Connor as regular secondary playmakers is a significant improvement, and Korebeti and Petaia are not at all shabby as wings. Two months ago I would have called Australia's back 7 easily the weakest among the top 10 nations but it is looking like it can be competitive now
Die hard
Roar Rookie
I have never seen Tupou have a great start to a major game and I think that the experience of the others come to the fore here. We forget how raw he still is because he's so good, but for now runs better finishing the game.
Die hard
Roar Rookie
The Wallabies certainly look good with their tails up. But they can just as easily seem aimless and disjointed through much of the game. If ever there was a Jeckle and Hyde in a box it's this team. Like a headless chook at times but a from experience a headless chook can be difficult to catch and always runs wherever you don't want it to. It's a shame that the matchup comes in the quarterfinals. It deserves better billing and will be compulsory watching.