Barack Obama famously wore grey or blue suits almost every day of his presidency – with so many big decisions to make each day, he didn’t want to waste his brainpower on something as trivial as his clothes.
Wallabies vs France Game 2 coverage
» REPORT: Jaminet’s boot powers France to memorable win
» Wallabies vs France Game 2 blog: All the action as it happened
» WATCH: The powerful scrum that won the game for France
» WATCH: Tupou turns into scrumhalf with sensational pass
» WATCH: Stunning Koroibete try called back by TMO
Decision-making can be exhausting. I recently made one of the biggest decisions of my life, to propose to my partner, and I couldn’t make another decision for days.
Athletes are forced to make countless decisions in games. Decisions decide games. These decisions often fall at the feet of the captain.
In order to share the burden of decision-making, we’ve seen the adoption of leadership groups in the Australian cricket team, the Wallabies and the league State of Origin teams. The Australian cricket team have adopted a collaborative approach when deciding to review LBW decisions, including the square leg, bowler and wicketkeeper.
Sometimes to lighten the decision-making load, these in-game decisions may be predetermined by coaches. This was Michael Cheika’s predetermined mantra of running rugby and declining penalty shots.
Even in my professional life as a doctor we utilise a team-based approach, including nursing staff, allied health, and junior and senior doctors.
The value of making the correct decision is often amplified in the closing stages of a match. I wanted to take a close look at five key decisions that were made in the final 15 minutes of the Australia-France Test.
First decision: opting for the try
With the Wallabies down 21-13 and only 11 minutes on the clock, Michael Hooper went for the sideline. Teams often make this decision, and I don’t understand it. Australia needed two scores to win the match. Ultimately the try he scored validated this decision, but I think it’s smarter to take the three points, then you can run overtime trying to score the more difficult five-pointer.
There didn’t appear to be any collaboration, so it was either a captain’s call or a predetermined verdict.
Second decision: early clearing kick
Following the try, Banks took the kick receipt and kicked early. He knew that France wanted to play territory and to force a penalty to retake the lead. He had a good angle on the sideline and he has the best boot in the team. I loved this decision.
Third decision: Hunter Paisami cross-kick
Following the Taniela Tupou linebreak in the 78th minute, the retreating French defenders were scrambling to cover the defensive line. Outside Paisami there was two French defenders defending six Wallabies. Paisami decided to attempt a cross-field kick rather than passing the ball through the hands.
It’s easy in hindsight to criticise his decision, but we would have been better served through the hands. This kicking was compounded by a subsequent aimless kick by Paisami in the 79th minute down the middle of the field. I love his skill set and that he is prepared to back himself, but he must be more considered with his kicking, especially against the All Blacks, who punish wayward kicks.
Fourth decision: attack strategy
In overtime Australia had a penalty advantage right in front of the posts.
They wanted to keep it in tight to set themselves up for a drop goal. This is a reasonable strategy, although the combination of Tate McDermott’s pass and Noah Lolesio’s drop-kicking is not the strongest combination for a drop goal.
France recognised this and compressed their defence. Their defence was so compressed that most of their players were between the posts. Generally, in attack you want to manipulate the defence and go where the defenders are either not present or vulnerable. Given we had advantage, I wouldn’t have minded a wider pass to the backs with a rampaging Tupou off someone’s hip. He would have been irrepressible in space on in a one on one.
Fifth decision: set-up
Before Noah Lolesio’s match-winning penalty, too many players had their heads down and some even had their back to the goalposts. It appears the players had decided the ball was going over and they needn’t worry about the alternative possibilities. This is a schoolboy mentality, and I would hope that if this was the Bledisloe decider, we would be better prepared.
What if it had hit one of the uprights?
I know it sounds like I’m being critical, particularly in the context of a win. Australia hasn’t had many wins, so it’s important to celebrate them well. However, I do think there were some incorrect decisions in the final ten minutes, and Australia should be thankful they didn’t cost them the victory.
The Wallabies practice their physical skills at training, but how much do they practice decision-making? Can you teach decision-making? In medicine, tech developers are building simulator headsets to emulate emergency resuscitation scenarios so health professional can practice their decision-making. Will this technology expand into sport?
Michael Hooper has a young, inexperienced team in need of strong leadership and smart decision-making. This leadership group and their decisions will heavily influence whether we will challenge the mighty All Blacks later this year. I’d love to hear Roar readers’ thoughts on this.
Phil
Roar Rookie
I’d like O’Connor at 12 when he’s fit. And yes I’d like to see LI at 13. Otherwise I’m still looking! E.g. Can Kellaway play in closer? I like Joey Walton from the Tahs (injured this year), Hodge maybe.
T Bradley
Roar Rookie
Thx Phil. It certainly was hard to watch at times. Whose your 13? Should we give LI a run?
T Bradley
Roar Rookie
thx RG, nice to know theres a few rusted on rugby fans still out there. Ill be watching tonight to see if MH changes his decision process.
Tony Harper
Editor
Sounds legit. Congrats T Bradley!
ethan
Guest
She said, "yes, but on the condition you write rugby articles for the roar"
ethan
Guest
I'd still have Hooper for now. I don't think he is a terrific captain but nor do I see any clear alternative. Hard to say why we were before, but I think coaching has a lot to do with it. Four years of Cheika madness post 2015 WC was far too much. Also, we haven't had a truly top class head coach at super rugby since McKenzie and White left, though some of them now are growing. It often looks to me like Aussie players are coached to play per-determined structure instead of think on their feet. Thinking on your feet starts at grass roots level, but I don't know what the coaching is like there.
Phil
Roar Rookie
No example because there was none. Thanks for sending the stats link. Stats only tell half the story - there’s no decision making stat. Koros 14 carries for 23 metres points to him feeding off scraps which luckily he is very good at. Has to pick and go to get the ball because he's not getting it much otherwise from his teammates. That metres number would be a lot more if he got clean ball, but his inside backs failed him there. If you like Koro and want to see him with the ball surely you want players giving it to him? Give him a one on one chance at least. Paisami couldn’t even give it to him when Koro was unmarked. I thought our backs weren’t great across the board. They all made mistakes. But 12 and 13 are big issues for me and they’re having an impact on our back 3. I agree with you that he’s developing - I just personally don’t want him making those kind of mistakes at a Test level.
Bobby
Roar Rookie
Talking about Hunter, no one else ATM
Phil
Roar Rookie
Incorrect. Hooper was at the breakdown prior and plays halfback after Tate’s run.
Beefa
Guest
Cheika had plenty of old heads in his teams and they always lost. Hooper needs to harden up get on with it and make the tough calls himself as he is the highest paid flanker in world rugby.
numpty
Roar Rookie
rugbypass and espn stats. No example because I didn't try and find one. He is the 2nd best back on carries made, carry meters, defenders beaten, breaks etc. Once again, which other backs had a pivotal role in the wallabies crossing the chalk twice? Name 3 backs that were head and shoulders above him if he was so poor... Paisami is playing well and Rennie has clearly invested in him given what he has seen. *IF* he keeps up this rate of development, he will be something special.https://www.rugbypass.com/live/internationals/australia-vs-france-at-sydney-cricket-ground-on-07072021/2021/stats/
Phil
Roar Rookie
So no example of Koro getting clean ball from his 13. Where are you seeing those carry numbers? He was the second best back according to what? “Dangerous at first receiver” highlights another issue for Rennie - does he want Paisami to be a 10, 12 or 13? Because he needs some role clarity desperately.
Antony Henrie
Guest
"66 tried to run straight into a defender and bump off – no footwork, easy tackle, presented them an opportunity to pilfer, turnover:" ^Hooper MIA again id reckon.
numpty
Roar Rookie
Paisami conceded three turnovers and seemed to suffer from the same rust/jitters that most of the wallabies did, particularly in that first 20. But, he also carried well and created a number of the wallabies best attacking moments of the game. He was the 2nd best back behind Marika. You are free to highlight his errors, but you have to acknowledge he ALSO did things right, and was better than most others over the 80 minutes. Koro had the most carries of any Aus player. Against a rush defense like the french, its rarely gonna make it through the hands. I thought the service of the backline from 9 and 10 were both poor which also led to Toomua wearing a few hospital passes. Paisami often looked most dangerous at 1st receiver.
Tommy
Guest
What about the kick that Wright dropped cold under the posts?
Seamus
Guest
The wallabies don`t have any rugby nous in that backline.McDermott is the only one with rugby nous but he is on the bench,French will win this one.Even Tupou starting wont save you.
Phil
Roar Rookie
I see what people like about Paisami numpty, he has power and courage. I think his skills are developing. I’m happy to discuss any player and the overall game but he’s a big part of our current decision making and it’s relevant to the article. Can you acknowledge his negatives or only positives? As for Koroibete run numbers are you talking runs or run metres? he has to go hunting and feed off scraps though doesn’t he? Does he get clean ball? Can you give me any examples of him getting clean ball where Paisami provided?
numpty
Roar Rookie
marika made more runs than any other back!? :laughing: he got plenty of ball. Was that grubber for Wright not enough of a platter for him? Should paisami not have run that try scoring unders line...? Phil, you clearly just have an axe to grind with Paisami rather than any sort of ability to analyse his performance relative to others and the game more broadly given the number of leaps and omissions you have made. Have a nice day.
Phil
Roar Rookie
But we’re talking about Paisami right now. Not really cherry picking it’s the last 15 mins. I’m glad you mentioned Marika though he must be supremely frustrated with Paisami inside him. No point having Koroibete, Banks and Wright outside him as he can’t give them clean ball. He needs to understand what a 13’s role is as opposed to a 12. Right now he completely overcomplicating it.
numpty
Roar Rookie
Cherry pick all you like. Hunter was pivotal in 3 of 5 try scoring opportunities in the match for the WBs. The other two came exclusively through the forwards. I could make these same time stamps for any back in the wallabies, except none of them would have the positives in the other column except for maybe marika.