The Wallabies’ performance at the end of Saturday’s Bledisloe Cup opener reminded me of the Waratahs this year. A lot of times they would play good rugby in the last 20 minutes of a game where they weren’t really in it and throwing caution to the wind because the result was beyond their reach.
But I think they can take confidence from that because when they look to back themselves and play the way they want to play without restraint, they produced some really good rugby.
I was impressed with Tom Banks’ second try when Noah Lolesio saw there was space in behind and put the grubber in.
Moments like that are big for me because it shows, regardless of the situation and the moment, they are playing what they see, making decisions based on what the opposition is giving them and executing.
Individual moments like that are a good indicator of what they can do. Now I would like to see it when the game isn’t already lost but still in the balance – that’s when we need to be strong enough to back ourselves to execute under pressure like that.
I was also really impressed with Robby Valetini. He’s copped some criticism for his performances in the first team, but I thought he stepped up.
He was physical in his carry and defence and played the role that people were hoping he would, as an enforcer with that physicality.
(Photo by Getty Images)
Andrew Kellaway was really good defensively and with ball in hand. And it was good to see Banksy play well.
I was hoping he would be someone who really steps up. For me, he looks like he’s still searching for that performance to really cement himself in that position. He had a little bit of a shaky start, but he really worked his way into the game.
Matt To’omua made a big difference off the bench, adding composure and leadership in the midfield. I’d stick with Hunter Paisami from the start at No. 12, though. His first 40 minutes were as good as anyone on the field.
When the All Blacks stepped up a bit, it wasn’t just him as an individual, but the entire team went into their shell a bit and it probably stood out most with him because he was so good in the first half.
When it comes to the intercept pass, watching on TV I didn’t see Richie Mo’unga either. When Hunter threw that ball I was thinking ‘Jordie Petaia is getting this ball in space’. But Richie popped out of nowhere.
You look at it from a performance perspective and it goes down as a poor decision because Richie scores that try and the All Blacks get on a roll for the next 15-20 minutes – but other than that moment he was very good.
As for changes for Saturday, Marika Koroibete has to come back in. Andrew Kellaway and Jordie went really well but Marika, along with Michael Hooper, is one of the best two players in the team.
Leaving him out for the discipline issue was the right call. I was really proud of Dave Rennie because when your best player is the one getting in trouble, more often than not you see the rules bent for it. I’ve been part of teams where rules have been bent for your best players and it doesn’t set a good example for the squad or the culture.
I wouldn’t mind seeing Jordie Uelese get a start either, just because he’s a bigger body and bigger physical presence.
I read Nic White is available for selection. I think Tate McDermott has been very good when starting the last couple of games, but maybe Whitey on the bench to play a similar role to Matt To’omua where he comes on with some experience and leadership and a bit spark as well would make a difference.
‘There levels to this game’
Noah Lolesio has received some criticism for missing five of his kicks. As a young kid, maybe it was a little bit of pressure that got to him, but I’d say it as more the conditions than anything else. It looked like it was difficult to kick and Mo’unga missed a couple in the second half.
Players will never look at the team’s kickers and blame them. I’ve read the narrative that he left 12 points out there and the game would have been in the balance. It never works like that because each individual moment in games affect the outcome.
If he’s kicking all his kicks, that might change a decision that the teams later make. Who’s to say if he’s making those kicks they take Mo’unga off or Aaron Smith off, or the All Blacks would make so many substitutions?
Tate McDermott feeds the scrum for the Wallabies. (Photo by Anthony Au-Yeung/Getty Images)
For a young guy starting out you have to realise there are levels to the game.
The team obviously played well against the French, won the series, and you take confidence from that. But playing against the All Blacks in the Bledisloe and rugby Championship is just a massive step up.
When you’re up against the best team in the last 15 years it’s about concentrating on your process and in that moment doing what’s worked for you over the course of that French series and course of the year.
If you find consistency that’s when you find your feet at Test rugby level against teams like the All Blacks. You don’t get away with simple errors that you might get away with against the French for example.
Our young halves, Noah and Tate, don’t have far to look for inspiration – just across the field at Aaron Smith and Richie Mo’unga.
I got asked on a podcast who I would choose between Mo’unga and Beauden Barrett as the All Blacks’ No.10 and I opted for Barrett. I was wrong and I’ve changed my mind.
I said I thought Richie has been the best player in Super Rugby for the last five years. I genuinely believe that, and he will go down as one of the best Super Rugby players ever.
My thinking was that he is probably still searching for consistency at Test level whereas we’ve seen it from Beauden Barrett. But Richie just continues to get better and better.
He was unbelievable on Saturday night. He makes the game look so easy, but he also has a calming influence on those around him, very much like Dan Carter did.
They seem to have all the time in the world to control and manipulate the defence and attack, marshal the guys inside and out, make the right decisions and kick their goals. He’s a phenomenal player and it’s his jersey to lose now.
When Dan Carter was playing, Beauden would come off the bench and have an amazing impact and influence. Perhaps he’s moving back to that role, or he goes back to fullback.
It’s funny – Carter was there for 10 years and probably one of the best players to ever play in any position. Beauden comes in for a few years, gets world rugby player of the year for two of them and then Richie comes along . It shows how spoilt they are for 10s.
And Tate McDermott can learn a lot from Smith, who brought up 100 Tests on Saturday.
The best halfback I saw play was Fourie du Preez for the Springboks and Aaron would be right there next to him.
It’s remarkable how consistent he’s been over the course of those 100 games.
You look back to when he first played for the All Blacks in 2012, he transformed that team because of his ability to get to the breakdown quickly and move the ball and have an excellent pass.
He turned them into a slick machine that could play at a tempo and pace that most teams couldn’t stick with. To have that level of consistency, to be that elite over the last 10 years, is incredible.
He can be a bit a chirpy, he’s loud, but he’s just a competitor, loves to get in and amongst everything. I loved playing against him because he brings the best out of you,
You can’t help but take something from the greats, just being out there you learn. I was the same against du Preez. How they cope with pressure, what they do in difficult situations, how they play their part in wrestling back momentum.
You’re out there competing to win but you’re also soaking up all that information and knowledge.
‘Play without fear and have a go’
Both teams will be better for the first hit out when they meet against on Saturday back at Eden Park.
The key for the Wallabies is to take that momentum from the last 20 minutes and take confidence knowing we can play some good footy against one of the best teams in the world and score points.
I thought the All Blacks defended really well, they put a lot of pressure with line speed when we played the balls out back to push up on the outside.
A couple of times we got them on the edge but if we can take confidence from the fact we found space and found opportunities, especially in the last 20 or 30, we can take that momentum and play without fear and have a go. If we do that we can give ourselves a chance.
The All Blacks will be better as well.
TJ-Go Force!
Roar Rookie
100 per cent agree JD. we are rebuilding with youth after Cheika neglected youth for years.
TJ-Go Force!
Roar Rookie
This is just a ridiculous comment. How many caps for the Wallabies do you have mate? It’s a privilege to read Will’s commentary on Aussie rugby. You forget he only just retired so his insight having been in the set up is refreshing and brings a lot to the Roar. Disagree with what he writes but don’t disrespect the man.
Phil
Guest
And how many have you won,mate?What a stupid comment.So you think someone who has played rugby at the highest level,won a Super Rugby comp,played in world cups,doesn't know a bit about the game?Give me a break!
JD Kiwi
Roar Rookie
Hi Bob, I think that the long term is the important thing. The guys aged 25+ aren't going to win a world cup, but the kids might, if development is prioritised. Whether throwing them all in together is the right move is debatable of course.
Aiden
Guest
He's played the All Blacks and has been in teams that have beaten the All Blacks in the last 15 or so years. Any earlier opinions from ex players are out of date and irrelevant. So yep, he's an expert. And so are you, you have plenty of opinions and have not won the Bledisloe either. Although ... you have none of the other things that Will has going for him. So I think we'll stick with Will for the moment.
Phil
Roar Rookie
Thanks for sharing your lack of fear of wind! Appreciate he misjudged the ball. He was surprised by the refs call, not the ball.
Jokerman
Roar Guru
That would have been a prudent call by the ref certainly, Loosey. Banksy didn’t know where he was the poor bugger. ‘It’s just another park…it’s just another park…where am I and what year is it?!’ The cauldron can really mess with Wallabies minds.
Jokerman
Roar Guru
I’m from Wellington, Phil so I’m not afraid of the wind. That all said, there’s no excuse to be hit in the head by a rugby ball in the head from a kick 50 metres away and then be surprised by it.
Try Hard
Roar Rookie
Sorry Will.. how many Bledisloe or World Cups did you win for the Wallabies. AND now you’re an expert!!!!
Muglair
Roar Rookie
Numpty I have been watching top class rugby for well over 50 years. Trying to analyse detail at that level just confuses me. Patterns of play and repetitive actions are more important. Picking up details of highlights of excellence or mistakes is pretty useless, you have to watch every touch or involvement and analyse the impact on the opposition and your own team. That does not apply to coaches and selectors of course and I am less likely nowadays to get all heated up over selections because I assume they have done that work. These are not frustrating titbits for me; over time I have some views on the stuff that does not work and stuff that does. There is too much of the former for me to be happy. Sorry about that. I am probably a bit obstinate on this because I agree with the original reviews after his debut, he has enormous potential, far more than Kerevi. I disagree about only learning by doing, he has the skills, it is the mental process he needs to sort.
numpty
Roar Rookie
So, you admit you don't know what has happened in detail, and that you are focusing on frustrating tidbits. I then give you that in detail information (above), that presents a more complete picture, yet you dig your heels in. I'm not denying Paisami is conceding 2-3 errors a game and that this is something he has to work on. But, you need to weigh it up against the good things he also does. You seem to only be focusing on the former. People learn by doing. He has already shown changes in a very short period of time that suggests to me he can improve. Patience.
Muglair
Roar Rookie
I am not as caught up on the stats from Saturday. This is four tests in a row that I am seeing things in his game which frustrate me and I believe are negative for the team. Most of these are not errors, but choice on options. Whether DR views the positives as outweighing the negatives is his business and I am happy to go with his opinion on that. However as long as he is allowed such free reign I don't believe he will reach his potential. JP is still playing like a millionaire and nobody can believe that he is remotely playing to the potential he was claimed to have.
FrancisF
Roar Pro
I had backed Kelloway way back to be in the Wallabies when he first came out for the time for Waratah. The reason is he is able to play rugby as he sees it in front of him just before and when he got the ball. The kind of mental skill that makes players like AllBlacks McKenzie and Mounga shine on the field. More games for him with other Wallabies will enable him to sharpen his akills and allow him to know his team mates’ style of play. In rugby, you are only as good as how well you are able to familiarize yourself and complement your skill with each of your team mates style of play and vice versa. Kelloway has shown he can improve with each game and he still has a lot in reserve to give.
Rugby Geek
Roar Rookie
OO, JUST ANSWERED THE QUESTION. By throwing the young ones in we damage them. We owe it to the players to do the right thing by them. Older heads make better decisions. Paisami makes too many risky decisions at the elite level. Lolesio just needs time at the next level down and he will own the spot. Both are good but need to play a little smarter to make the decision correctly about hands over kick when the numbers are in your favour. So my question is do we train on the job or not?
numpty
Roar Rookie
Or maybe they're 12s and so made a like for like switch rather than musical chairs making paisami shift out to 13 in the middle of a match?
numpty
Roar Rookie
Petaia came into compete with moungaa which is why he had to jump for it. Is 15m of space 1v1 with a mismatch of petaia and moungaa 'not on'? Paisami couldn't see moungaa given the inside defender had rushed and usually in that instance the wing would hang back to allow the defence to jockey across. Moungaa made a decisive play EXACTLY because it was on and the AB defence was somewhat stretched given good phase play in the leadup. If he misses, wallabies potentially score. But, he didn't miss and that is what makes him world class. I'm happy to admit moungaa is a class above paisami and bested him in this instance. Muglair, you say he did some good things yet then continually point back to the one or two negative things in each instance... Why do the positives not count in your analysis of his performance that had him widely seen as best on ground in that first half, noting he came off after 60. Why does this 7 points get black marked against his name but not kellaway's 5 points where he broke moungaa's tackle and fended off codie taylor? You'll have to go and get Len's stats for yourself. I thought he was sound but not given much opportunity, same as ALB.
Oblonsky’s Other Pun
Guest
I don’t necessarily agree or disagree, but I think Paisami’s error rate is too high and with a rookie 10 you need a calm head at 12 to assist.
PeterK
Roar Guru
Naisarani has not performed as an impact player against the ab's, even starting he doesn't have the same impact. Mind neither did Wilson. Swinton is needed for the lineout and to maintain the ruck pressure, Valetini was better than Wilson and di more at the ruck so he needs to stay.
Muglair
Roar Rookie
JOC is injured, and has been for a substantial number of games over the last two years. Kerevi was a damaging runner but also had some baggage around passing and defence. Paisami has much better rounded skills and will certainly be a much better centre than Kerevi. It is disappointing that he has stalled. He cannot continue to pursue the 10% opportunity instead of looking for support or choosing contact to generate quality front foot next phase ball.
Muglair
Roar Rookie
Numpty I was not judging him on that pass. All the commentators and experts were praising it, which probably underlines my preference to listen to NZ and SA commentators. Now prompted to have a look at it, it was a shambles. I have no doubt JP was calling for it and they both thought it was "on". No surprises there, both are perpetual optimists about 10% opportunities. If Moungaa was at full stretch or just getting it on the tippy tippy fingers, I might concede that. Instead he also had to jump for the ball, did Paisami actually see him coming and throw it high? Or was it a poor pass? I also wouldn't rate JP on current form as a total lock on catching it. The reason I asked for Ikitau's stats is that I don't think he got the opportunity to do anything, as with the last game. One of problems with Paisami at 12, and 13. He is obviously potentially a really good test centre but he is no longer a development player needing to take risks to improve. Like a cricket test batsman he needs to eliminate the risks now. A test back constantly improves the position he is in for the team, Paisami does not and I fear if he is allowed to keep playing like this he won't go to the next level. Fawning commentators don't help.