Following on from that enthralling Bledisloe Cup fixture was a range of emotions.
No one is ever truly happy with a draw, but this particular match ended with such an energetic, all-over-the-shop finish, peppered with so much good in between, that it’s hard not to feel quite positive about the Wallabies’ prospects.
Not content with the feeling alone, I had a look at the statistics to see just how well the game shaped from both perspectives as a precursor for what we can look forward to next week.
Things the Wallabies did well
The Wallabies did a great job at limiting the run metres for the New Zealand backs. To keep Damian McKenzie and Jordie Barrett to just six runs apiece is a great effort, but for Rieko Ioane and Goodhue Jack to manage just four each and George Bridge to notch just three is a massive reason why the All Blacks were contained to just two tries.
On top of that, it was the manner in which the Australians defended. Ball-and-all tackles and extra cover meant that only one starting All Black (Ardie Savea) was able to manage more than two tackle busts. Similarly, this smother technique meant that McKenzie was the only back outside Richie Mo’unga who was able to get an offload away. Just the singular one, too.
The Wallabies, in contrast, averaged over ten runs each in the starting backline. Of particular impressiveness was Filipo Daugunu, who notched one try, 15 runs, 130 metres, one clean break, three defenders beaten and two offloads in his first Test match. Incredible numbers for a tried-and-true player, let alone a man on debut.
Again, showing why he was impossible to overlook, Nic White lead the charge for a lot of the match with 83 passes, one try assist, nine runs, 49 metres, one clean break, six defenders beaten and two offloads to really get the Wallabies on the front foot in attack.
Another key highlight was how many runs the tight forwards managed. This really set the foundation for attack and drew in a lot of defenders. Taniela Tupou (nine runs, 11 metres), Allan Alaalatoa (eight runs, eight metres), Lukhan Salakaia-Loto (11 runs, 17 metres), Harry Wilson (12 runs, 29 metres) and Matt Philip (13 runs, 36 metres) all got through a mountain of work and those hard-earned metres paved the way for some great service to backs when the ruck was being well-secured.
The other part that stood out was the ability to keep the ball alive. Eleven offloads to the All Blacks’ five was a nice touch. Even though the percentage of offloads evens out when you consider the possession statistics, it shows a willingness to play with the ball and keep it moving even in dreadful conditions for attacking rugby.
Nic White. (Photo by Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images)
Things the Wallabies didn’t do well
While the encounter as a whole should be seen as a massive improvement from our last match, Dave Rennie and the Wallabies will be hitting the blackboard and training field with things to tweak and change.
The set-piece, which was lauded as an advantage pre-match, ended up being a source of struggle at times.
While New Zealand boasted 4/4 scrums and 13/15 lineouts (86 per cent efficiency) for a very handy return, Australia managed just 4/6 scrums and 10/13 lineouts (76 per cent), which gifted a lot of opportunities to the men in black.
Not only are the numbers lower, but it was a Wallabies lineout at the end of the first half which nearly lead to a Rieko Ioane try, and it was an All Blacks lineout early in the second that spawned Aaron Smith’s five-pointer. The way in which Australia regroup so they can use the lineout as an attacking platform and also defuse the All Blacks’ lineout is paramount to our success.
A penalty count of 14-7 in favour of New Zealand will also make for bleak review. The number of times one-off runners were caught in rucks and had the ball turned over or penalised was a particular issue and one that needs addressing pronto.
Particular offenders of this were Matt To’omua (three turnovers as well as 6/9 tackles) and Tupou (two penalties conceded, two short-arms conceded and 2/4 tackles). These two players had great games outside of this, but will want to tidy these aspects up so as to improve the Wallabies’ chances.
Taniela Tupou. (Photo by Jono Searle/Getty Images)
Monitoring the opponents
Despite the amount of possession Australia had (61 per cent possession, 153 runs for 525 metres), the All Blacks still looked the more damaging side when they had the ball. While New Zealand didn’t have as much of it, they still managed to make 483 metres from just 91 runs.
To break that down, they ran 5.3 metres per run compared to 3.4 for the Wallabies. The All Blacks also managed two more clean breaks despite running with the ball 60 fewer times.
The next note is their defence. The All Blacks were clinical given the barrage of damaging runners the Wallabies sent down their channels. Australia’s best defender (Pete Samu with 10/10 attempts) paled compared to the 16/16 from Joe Moody up front, the 15/16 from Goodhue in the backline and the Herculean 25/25 from Sam Cane across the park.
Inflating the matter is that their bench comes on and performs just as efficiently. The All Blacks bench made a combined 36/38 tackles, meaning that even when Australia bring fresh legs on, there is still a solid wall of defence to punch through.
The bench as a whole was actually a comparison many made pre-match as to what would be a death-knell for the Wallabies, but our finishers came on to contribute 23/25 tackle attempts to their credit, too. The bigger difference is how well the New Zealand finishers attack. Twenty-five runs for 99 metres (more than half of them from Caleb Clarke) easily outdid the 17 runs and 26 metres from the Australian bench.
Lastly, the All Blacks were stifled somewhat by the conditions and somewhat by the pressure, but they’re rarely contained that well two matches in a row.
Savea, Mo’unga and Barrett are all particularly fine operators on offence and even with a strong defensive showing, these three still proved a handful as evidenced by their attacking statistics. Much like the rest of their team, they will be itching for…
Jordie Barrett. (Photo by Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images)
The bounceback
The All Blacks do tremendously well the week after they don’t win. Such is the strength of their culture that they feel a requirement to immediately atone for not securing a victory for the fans, for the coaches and for themselves.
Against the Wallabies, this is no different. The last five times the Wallabies have either beaten or drawn with the All Blacks, they have been bitten back in the next encounter with unbridled ferocity.
Three of those following encounters occurred at Eden Park, the location of our next fixture.
From what will endearingly be referred to as the bounceback, New Zealand have avenged their loss or draw with an aggregate score of 128-33 across the last three such fixtures in Auckland (51-20, 41-13 and 36-0).
That’s scoring, on average, virtually four times as many points as the Wallabies. The closest Australia came in this recent scenario was when they lost by 28.
This is clearly a different side. However, it is still a concern that has already been identified and the severity of which shouldn’t be overlooked.
Rennie’s Wallabies looked fantastic in the 16-16 draw in Wellington, but they will need that, and then some, to stamp their mark in the most impenetrable stadium in the world for travelling teams.
Plenty of hope has been instilled into fans after that performance. The task ahead seems statistically insurmountable, but that’s what makes the impending challenge all the more exciting.
Go you good things!
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
Yeah agree on the lineout Harry. The few times we put people into the air we made life difficult. I'm surprised it happened so infrequently. I also thought most of the first half problems were FF brain explosions. He's been good all year and I expect him to improve. That said, Uelese looked good when he came on didn't he?
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
I've seen that move lead to tries at least 5 times in SR this year alone. Surprised we were opened up so easily as it must be something we were coached to defend. Was slick though
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
I have a view on Kiwi 7 play. Many won't agree but I think McCaw changed the way the position was viewed in NZ. For the last 5/6 years of his stellar career, he played tighter and more like a 6. Cane is a similar style player. Neither are/were flyers but both are great players. If fitting Savea and Cane into the same side is the challenge, why not move Cane to 6, Savea to 7 and play a traditional 8. There may not be anybody as good as Read yet but there are options
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
While New Zealand didn’t have as much of it, they still managed to make 483 metres from just 91 runs. I have a genuine question in relation - do the metres gained for Ioane's non-try (basically 100m) count when the try is rubbed out? If so, 20% of the AB metres here didn't actually happen and skew the numbers completely.
Terminator
Roar Rookie
Cane is under 1.90cm. Savea is under 1.90cm. Sotutu is only 1.92cm. This is a ridiculously under-sized and underweight back row which will be physically dominated.
Terminator
Roar Rookie
Please not Savea starting ANYWHERE if he is not at 7- too lightweight
Reds Harry
Roar Rookie
Excellent article. A great Wallaby performance but still a lot to improve and for sure there will be a strong AB reaction. The All Blacks were actually pretty good at converting opportunities, take away Ioane's carelessness, which won't be repeated, and they probs would have been out of sight at 20-3 early in the 2nd half. Things for the Wallabies to improve: 1) The Lineout - Not just our own throw, too many uncontested/easy takes for the All Blacks. 2) The Scrum - gave away too many penalties and was noticeably bested a few times. 3) The Rolling Maul - I counted 3 huge chances for the Walls from 5 metres out and they didn't look like converting any of them. Need to look at where they can improve this or come up with an alternative. 4) The Breakdown - not enough numbers quickly there to support half breaks. Penalised, probably correctly though frustrating, at the breakdown for going off the feet a few times. 5) Kicks - White and Toomua need to be a bit more heads up and looking for space. 6) Referee management - need to manage Angus Gardner effectively. They should know his style and rulings better than NZ.
Riccardo
Roar Rookie
so Sotutu for Frizzell is possible. That's what I'm picking too JD. Reckon Reiko may start from the pine in this one too. Certainly ALB needs to start at 12 and the Mullet goes to 13. Beauden will be back too. Will they start him at 10 and move Jordie to 15? Not sure as they will be averse to wholesale change.
Riccardo
Roar Rookie
Good piece mate. And congratualtions to your lads who I thought should have won. And you have IMO identified work-on areas Rennie will drill this week. Set-piece, particularly line-out and break-down. The good news regarding the former is that the line-out did improve in the second half. Another decent lock and maybe a hooker to bolster set-piece may go some way to alleviating those concerns too. Thought Cane was outstanding actually, the All Blacks best player answering some of the flack that has gone his way over here. This will form the base of a competent Wallabies unit if they adhere to Rebbie's protocols. With Lolesio, Powell, McDermott and Petaia to bed in too the future looks bright. But not on Sunday. Darkmness. Expecting and hoping an All Blacks response.
JD Kiwi
Roar Rookie
It's a difficult one. Cane was miles ahead in our tackle stats and Savea our running stats so both were effective. Sotutu played well too so Sotutu for Frizzell is possible.
Terminator
Roar Rookie
Hooper and Savea are very similar- both too short and too light for Test rugby at any position other than 7 (and neither are big even for openside flanker test standard). One thing is for certain, Savea is too lightweight to start at No 8 or blindside, no matter how determined Foster is to select him at either position. And to be fair, Cane was far and away the best All Black forward on the park in Bledisloe 1 and deserves the 7 jersey based on performance.
Adsa
Roar Rookie
Good summary Mitch of an enthralling game. NZ will lift this week in Auckland, the true test of where the Wallabies are at is if they can improve. As you pointed out in your comments, discipline, lineout, front row reserves, there is plenty for Rennie to work on. Too many times we have seen a false dawn from the WallyB's after a good performance, here's hoping the team take another step forward.
Monorchid
Roar Rookie
I've never been a White fan. But I did watch the match yesterday, and I commented during the blog on The Roar how well I thought he went. I thought that the penalty count against Oz was inexcusable at this level, and Rennie will no doubt work on the discipline. I didn't think the replacement front row for Oz in the 2nd half was as good as the starting front row. The stand out for me was how well Oz played in the wind driven rain. Wallaby sides have been brought undone by conditions like this in the past, but not yesterday. And finally, the smartest thing I did yesterday was to record the match. I'll be watching it again, and I won't press the delete button for quite a while.
JD Kiwi
Roar Rookie
He does make flashy plays, but his core job is defensive workrate. This week 19 tackles, when the next best for Australia was 11. https://www.espn.com/rugby/playerstats?gameId=592911&league=289234
frisky
Roar Rookie
I agree with Hooper’s unsuitability as a #6. In fact is he the smallest/lightest forward on the park? He is mobile. He plays a “seagull” role, - away from the engine room. He sometimes pulls off a spectacular play which keeps him on the team. Unusual selection by world standards.
Aiden
Guest
Yeah. That line out move looked awesome. Slick, until poor FF seemed to throw the ball at his own arm. And then the ABs go. Hey bro. That move looked good eh. Thunk we should give it a go? And they did. And it was perfect. Grrrrr. Still ... it was one of the few things they did well, thank goodness.
Hoy
Roar Guru
Those set piece numbers are surprising... The lineout seemed a lot more dreadful than that really, but like usual, the Wallabies didn't seem to take that into account, and kept plugging away in optimism that the next one would come good, and give them points. Highly embarrassing to botch a lineout move late in the first half, then have the ABs break out the length of the field off the botching, but not only that, early in the second half, have the opposition use the exact same bloody lineout move to score a try. So poor from the Wallabies... The ABs? You could see their first try coming the minute they had a ruck on their left side of the field, then next phase hit the midfield effortlessly... seemed that the Wallabies expected them to just plug away in close for a few phases, and were not prepared. From there, the spread was on, and it was an easy try. Crazy last 15/20 minutes. Full credit to the Wallabies... recent versions would have packed it in and let in points too easily throughout the game, but particularly under immense pressure at the end. This year, in this particular game, they held strong, and kept turning up. Great effort.
jcmasher
Roar Rookie
Hooper isn't big enough for a 6. You want your 6 to dominate in both attack and defence and he never does this. makes some good tackles at times but never dominating ones
former fan
Guest
Great game and high pass marks for all the Aus players with Nic White my best for the Aussies. I think the game was lost at the breakdown with Cane giving Hooper a lesson in turnovers. We persist in having a great player in Hooper not doing the job an open side is there for (i recall only one turnover by him just before half time). We need a hard on the ball openside and move Hooper to blindside.