Wallabies coach Dave Rennie cut a frustrated and, at times angry, figure in the coach’s box as his team was well beaten for the third time in the series against the All Blacks in Perth, but the Kiwi insisted he’s “loving” the experience no matter how hard it looks on him.
Rennie was left to bemoan poor execution once again, but the reality is the quality of the All Blacks, even missing three stars, made things tough on his side.
Although Australia had a win and a draw against New Zealand last season, only to be thumped all three times this campaign, Rennie insists they are trending in the right direction.
This is what he had to say on the big issues from Sunday’s game, in his post match press conference.
On how he felt the game went
“We played a lot of good footy and created chances to put a bit of heat on them on the scoreboard but we didn’t turn pressure into points and if turn the ball over against the All Blacks, they can punish you from a long way out and we saw that again today,” said Rennie.
“We felt that was a pretty even first half. We were down 18-0 but we got over the line a couple of times only to be denied.
“And the All Blacks were good enough to take their opportunities. We felt that if we could score first we could get ourselves back into the game. While frustrated with the score line, we felt we played some pretty good footy and had to keep doing that and be accurate. Be patient.”
On how tough it’s been facing the All Blacks seven times in his 12 games in charge
“I came into it with my eyes open,” Rennie said. “We’ve got a lot of good men who are working really hard. Yeah, we’ve had seven Tests against the All Blacks. Ultimately I think it’s great for us.
“We’re learning quickly. We’ve got the world champions coming up for a couple of Tests, and that’s going to be great for us as well.”
(Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)
On what the Wallabies must do better
“We’ve go to be better at putting ourselves in position to win these games,” he said. “We have to be clinical.
“We’ve got to look after the ball. There were way too many turnovers post tackle. And we’re really reluctant to kick.
“There’s times when it’s on to kick, we’ve squeezed them up, the 15 is up and no one is covering in behind. We talk a lot about it. But I guess from a coaching perspective, we’ll keep driving it, to do a better job around our ability to play when it’s on to play and kick when it’s obvious.
“It’s an ability to play what’s in front of us. We’re not saying we’re not going to play. But often if you’ve gone three phases, and you haven’t gone forward, there maybe some obvious kicking space, where you can put the pressure back on them. It’s an area where we need to be better.”
On the stuggles at the breakdown
“I think a couple of times we’ve gotten into areas where we were pretty isolated,” said Rennie.
“They’ve actually got more defenders than we’ve got attackers and they’re the situations where we’ve got to be prepared to put the ball in behind them and back our defence from there.
“It’s a range of things. And, you know, they’re very good over the ball and we lost a few races. Ball carriers have got to do a better job trying to buy some time for us.
“That’s an area we’ve put massive time into and it’s disappointing we didn’t do a better job there tonight.
“Our discipline needs to be better and our ability to close out opportunities for us to score does too.”
On whether they’re making progress
“It’s easy to just look at the scoreboard but we gifted them a lot of points,” Rennie said.
“A couple more intercepts today, we gave a couple away last game, so I feel the scoreline in the last couple of weeks hasn’t been a fair indication of where the game’s at.
“But that’s just the way it is. We’ve got to deny them opportunities, got to defend for long periods and we’ve got to be clinical when we get our chances. Our attack has grown a lot throughout that period and, as some others are saying, if you’re playing a bit of footy, if you turn it over, you can get exposed.
“That’s the balance to our game. We know where we want to be, we’re working hard and got a good group of young men who are learning quickly.
“We’ve talked about areas. About being able to apply pressure for long periods of time. But we’ve got to be able to turn pressure into points and on the back of that exit well and apply pressure down the other end of the field again.
“We’ve got to be better, no doubt. But I still feel we’re trending in the right direction.”
On preparing for the Springboks
“We’ve got six days by the time we get back so that’s a short week for us, ” Rennie said.
“We’ll review. There are areas that were very good in. At times we defended really well. But you’ve got to keep coming at the All Blacks and you can’t turn over pill against them because they’ll hurt you.
“What we know about the Springboks, they’re very good post tackle as well and have a lot of big men. So we need to be really clinical around that. And our skill set needs to be top notch so we can apply a bit of pressure.”
He said James O’Connor would come into camp on the Gold Coast on Monday and be assessed.
“He’ll run tomorrow and we’ll get a bit of clarity around where he’s at.”
On the decision to give Jordie Barrett a red card
“I think it’s good that we’ve got a 20 minute red card at the moment because it’s certainly not malicious,” Rennie said. “But based on law, when you when you field a ball and you kick your foot out and kick someone in the head, there’s got to be repercussions for that.
“I think that decision is probably accurate and the fact it’s only 20 minutes is a good thing.”
(Channel 9/Stan Sports)
And on how he’s finding the gig
“I’m loving it,” Rennie said. “I’ve done pretty well over the years to not get caught on TV showing emotion.
“But yeah it’s frustrating. On game day, you sit in the box and you don’t have a massive impact on the game. But I’m loving it. We’ve got great people here.
“We’re working really hard, it’s a challenge, we’re playing the best teams in the world. I have no doubt we’re going to learn because the All Blacks are such a good side and we’re relishing the opportunity to now play against the Springboks.”
SolidGold
Roar Rookie
Defence wins World Cups. Oz defence against the ABs has been woeful.
Guess
Roar Rookie
It was ikitau. Yeah and such attitude only leads to more mistakes ironically
Guess
Roar Rookie
Best kicker at not kicking for touch..
Guess
Roar Rookie
It didn't entertain. It does when they play with intent even if they lose
Dean
Roar Rookie
I think we would benefit from both Harrison and that Carter Gordon (spelling) from the Rebels, in being in the squad. Also the other 10/15 from NSW (Donaldson?). By the way, I’m a REDS fan however, sadly we have nothing to offer at 10.
pm
Roar Rookie
I hope they don't play him against Argentina or South Africa for now, i think he'll get shown up, even laughed off if he tries to throw his weight around there. He'll be okay but I agree Samu, Wilson, Naisirani offer more.
Dean
Roar Rookie
Very valid points. I hadn’t thought of it that way. Perhaps we are judging him too harshly. I do like his confidence and attitude in defence.
Dean
Roar Rookie
I also am happy to be patient. 15 is a very big issue for us. I enjoy watching TB at Super, but find myself waiting for the errors at test level. 10, 10 oh where art thou 10?! Harrison or Carter Gordon (perhaps both?) should be in the squad, NL is doing his best - and not bad for a 21 year old. However, we need more. I’m hoping we get to see Petaia at 15 or at least zHodge.
pm
Roar Rookie
Tom Wright does deserve another run very soon. Just tiny errors he made. Marika works harder defensively and trucks it up the middle hard like few wingers. I would assume the defensive risks were authorised by Rennie. If they drop him though it's probably proof he's not... As for the Rebels he was pretty ball starved there this year from what i saw, but that was only 3 or 4 games.
Dandaman
Roar Rookie
I look at his comments and nothing on defense. If you want to beat the NZ you need to defend like madmen. That is one thing the Boks will do differently. There will be limited opportunities for the NZ in that game and the constant physicality and limited opps will put pressure on them.
Buk
Roar Rookie
I think the Wallabies need a northern tour to sort out where they are really at. Also gives them more time to train and get to know each other.
Nope
Guest
Quade to number 10 for the All Blacks? He is ineligible to play for the Aussies. He is not Australian. When was the last time he actually played 80 minutes of rugby too?
How much longer?
Guest
It seems like these coaches all go to the same 101 Marketing school. Carlton's coach would also trot out the same old 'positive' nonsense after yet another diabolical performance. They must do a week's worth of 'marketing spin' in the off season and learn what corporate wank words they need to use. The best all time of these spin merchants was the legendary Iraqi Information Minister, 'Comical' Ali under the old Saddam regime. There was a case when he was hosting one of his pressers talking up Saddam's inevitable victory over the US military when you could distinctly see in the background American troops storming his position with little to no resistance.
Scotty
Guest
I'd have Hodge at 15 and JOC at 10. No one can say we would have been worse off with Cooper at 10 on the weekend though. Lolesio seems to take 60 minutes to get into every game. Before that he plays like a robot.
Slackbladder
Roar Rookie
Not sure Rennie is the coach for AU, that one comment stands out "It’s an ability to play what’s in front of us." That's how kiwis play and how the AB's have been so successful for so long. The better AU teams build scores with a more repetitive and structured approach particularly in attack a la Brumbies or earlier Reds teams, dominating possession and rolling through the phases until the opposition runs out of defenders. If NL was bought up on using the formula approach, how can Rennie ask him to "play what is in front of him"?? If they go back to a more structured game against the Puma and Boks they'll win a few, I reckon.
loosehead
Guest
It must be in every Wallaby coach's contract after a belting by the AB's to say "There were some good signs we are on the right track."
Lara
Guest
Pressure n a creative beast, the Nuns in Black are a tough nut to crack n the Wallabies haven’t got the answer at the moment. However, there is hope against a pressure but less creative Bok team……what , less creative…..yes, dull. And there you have it, a predictable animal . Let’s hope the Boks prove me wrong, but I can’t see it at the moment. Keveri is a one trick pony , but against the Bok, perfect for what you need. Use him to punch up, as a decoy n DR mention don’t be afraid to kick….not long kicks, but chip or grabber kicks behind the Bok defence. The need to command the middle of the paddock, split the Bok defence into two, reduce their ability to stack n get ready to switch points of attacks. Hodge to FB, need safe hands under the Bombs that will be coming n his boot to get the ball out of the danger zone. White to start at HB for this one.
ethan
Guest
Swinton hasn't been able to replicate the imposing presence of his first test. Worth persisting with in the squad, but to me Wilson, Nasairani and Samu all look to offer more.
J Jones
Roar Rookie
This RC could quite likely be decided by BPs... SAF less likely, with their style, to secure them. Very simple, basic observation.
Chester B
Roar Rookie
I’ve mentioned this on another thread. Kellaway has speed, kicking ability but most importantly also displays a cool head, has a low error count and takes the half chances. He seems mentally strong and that’s what we need as a custodian at the back.