For all of the All Blacks’ nineteen-year long dominance over Australia, it is worth pointing out that a clean sweep of matches has only been achieved three times in the last decade.
Before yesterday, the All Blacks had won four of the last eight matches, and just two of the last five in Australia.
Yesterday afternoon’s 38-21 result righted that equation for the All Blacks and it was no surprise to hear coach Ian Foster say afterwards that the main driver for the performance was “the excitement to do something we haven’t done for a while”.
Wherever the questions led, Foster came back to his side’s “desire to play”, and their continued determination to look for opportunities to play both with the ball and without the ball.
While the focus for Australian fans will rightly be on the Wallabies’ uncanny ability to turn the ball over at crucial moments, it shouldn’t be underestimated how much of that came from pressure from the All Blacks, forcing them into small errors, inaccurate offloads and isolation at the breakdown.
It’s a script we’ve seen play out many times in recent history; the Wallabies caught somewhere in the middle between wanting to play rugby, which inherently introduces an element of risk, but doing so in an inconsistent and inexpert way that serves only to feed the beast, providing a team with a deadly appetite for transition play on the turnover, easy pickings.
(Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)
The Wallabies looked to have made a sensational start, but a long range try to Marika Koroibete in the third minute was ruled out due to Samu Kerevi picking the ball out of a ruck from an offside position.
Koroibete would also be denied, just prior to halftime; pinged for multiple movements on the ground prior to forcing the ball over the line. It might have looked harsh to the casual eye, but anyone who has watched much rugby over the last couple of months knows just how hot referees are on this at the moment.
The tone for the match was set in the first quarter, the Wallabies conceding large chunks of territory after pushing the pass or conceding turnover penalties. It was inevitable it would hurt them on the scoreboard, and the try, when it came, was a corker; Beauden Barrett nudging into space for Will Jordan, Brad Weber and Jordie Barrett to sweep onto.
Disappointingly, the Wallabies stubbornly refused to take advantage of opportunities offered to them; Noah Lolesio missing a penalty from in front, and Tom Banks kicking the ball dead, immediately after Jordie Barrett had joined his brother Scott with the dubious honour of being sent from the field in a Perth Test match.
With Codie Taylor down injured, a pinball play fell the way of the Wallabies, but even with a two-man advantage, and players to burn, Lolesio chose the wrong option and the All Blacks were again let off the hook.
Piggy-back penalties followed, and suddenly the All Blacks were down the other end, doing what they so often do, scoring right on halftime, for an 18-0 lead.
Ironically, and typical of a Wallabies side that consistently lacks a clinical edge, the home side finally found the chalk the very minute after the All Blacks were restored to fifteen men. The All Blacks’ close-in defenders had done a good job in the first half not overcommitting to Tate McDermott, however after Darcy Swain stole a lineout, McDermott found space up the middle, for Folau Fainga’a to finish.
If there is one area of concern for the All Blacks arising from the match – apart from Beauden Barrett’s abominable place kicking – it is this. They were caught a few times, too slow to re-form close to the ruck, and while Foster acknowledged the strength of the Wallabies in targeting this area, and some potential mitigation around positional and personnel disruption, he duly recognised that this is an area where the All Blacks need to improve sharply.
That presents a conundrum for Akira Ioane, who impressed again in the close channels during the first half. That’s exactly where All Black fans over the years have liked to see their number six; with his sleeves rolled up and his shoulders smacking hard into the opposition.
Yet it was out wide where Ioane tore the game apart, in the 54th minute, making a mockery of Koroibete, Len Ikitau and Lolesio to put Jordan in for a gift-wrapped try.
He would repeat the effort in the 68th minute, this time for Anton Leinert-Brown’s benefit. Ioane’s advance has probably been the biggest revelation for the All Blacks so far this year, and it will be fascinating to see just where this takes him against the Pumas and Springboks, in coming weeks.
It wouldn’t be a Wallabies versus All Blacks Test in 2021 without an intercept try, and this week it was Matt Philip who offered the ball up to Havili, who just had the legs to outlast Samu Kerevi on his long run to the line.
By now the All Blacks were playing rope-a-dope rugby, soaking up plenty of phase pressure from the Wallabies, picking their moment to attack the breakdown, or else, waiting for the inevitable Wallabies mistake to come.
Another loose ball fell into the arms of TJ Perenara who, after darting into space into the Wallabies’ half, looked for and found George Bridge with a heads-up kicking play that again highlighted the difference in clinical scoring power between the sides.
There were some little rays of light for the Wallabies; Pete Samu quick to recognise space at the back of the All Blacks’ ruck, darting clear to put White in, and then White himself, doing similar for Tom Banks’ closing try.
Frustratingly, these tries said as much about the Wallabies’ frailties than any of their defensive lapses. While there was recognition that the All Blacks were vulnerable up the middle, there wasn’t the discipline throughout to keep probing, to keep forcing the issue.
Instead, the Wallabies once again got suckered into a shoot-out that, while it was guaranteed to keep the Perth crowd entertained, was a fight they were never going to win.
Coach Dave Rennie also identified after the match that his side not only needed to be better at converting pressure into points, but on the back of that, get back down the other end of the field again, immediately afterwards.
(Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
Twice in the second half the Wallabies conceded soon after scoring. In truth, the same failing can be found trawling through my match notes over the last ten years. It’s one of the signs of an immature, developing side, but of course, sides can’t be in development mode forever.
For all of its endeavour and hard work on the training track, it is time for this team to show its fans that it won’t keep making the same mistakes, match after match, and that it understands the requirements of Test rugby.
They’ll need to do so in a hurry. South Africa’s size and defensive efficiency will stress the Wallabies next week, although there’s also a hint that a more structured set-piece type of game won’t actually do the Wallabies any harm.
Much of the discussion post-match centred on Jordie Barrett’s red card, and while there was clear contact made with Marika Koroibete’s head, after Barrett got himself into an awkward position in the air, referee Damon Murphy seemed not to take into account the lack of force involved.
As is applied when ruling on head high contact with an arm or shoulder, force is one of the variables used to determine the sanction. In this instance, Barrett’s action was not a kick – contact was made with the sole of the boot, that was almost stationary – and the All Blacks will almost certainly make a spirited defence of Barrett at the judiciary, on those grounds.
There was no defending Stan comments man Sonny Bill Williams however, who was somehow of the belief that Barrett would be returning to the field after twenty minutes. To his credit, Sonny Bill at least got things right in identifying Akira Ioane as player of the match.
And credit where credit is due too, to Rugby Australia and New Zealand Rugby who, through all of their sniping and misunderstandings of recent weeks, conspired to give us a Sunday afternoon Test, played out in glorious conditions.
It may have been the result of good luck instead of good management, nevertheless, may there be many more daytime Tests to come!
Bluffboy
Roar Rookie
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/all-blacks/126315375/all-blacks-fullback-jordie-barrett-escapes-further-ban-for-perth-red-card And that's the last thing I will say about that.
James in NZ
Guest
Re the flyhalf cupboard being a bit bare, I hope you don't think I was trying to "have a go" there. I just remember reading (it may have been Spiro) writing about how Cheika tended to favor going for the older players, o/s players at the expense of nurturing youth (not to mention looking at the 2014 Tah's roster were the back bone of his Wallabies for yrs). I feel one of Cheika's strengths was the way he was a passionate guy, probably great at building excitement and being able to lure back the likes of Toomua, JOC, 40k for the Samu transfer, White, Polota-Nau, Kane Douglas, Taqele Naiyaravoro (Cheika got him to break a 3 yr Scottish contract to then only use him for the last 5 mins of one test). I think Folau and Koroibete were both Cheika's signings too along with the Giteau rule (getting Mitchell too) being another Cheika move. He even fought the NZRU over big Will Skelton's bigger (6'9"1/2) younger brother Cameron Skelton (who seems to have faded in obscurity after playing for Counties Manukau). Even Jacques Potgieter was a sign of that get the big aggressive guy here now mentality. Looking at your current team Rennie has blooded Swain, Swinton, McDermott, Lolesio, Ikitau, Kellaway, Lonergan and Bell (8 of this weeks 23). Cheika gave a cap or so to Petaia (the RWC bolter), Banks, Swain and Valetini but not that much. I know everything cycles around RWC's now, I don't know if this positions holds water, but I don't see much Cheika future development legacy in this squad. Just thinking about the guys Cheika gave the cold shoulder to Scott Higginbotham, Scott Fardy, Sean McMahon and Liam Gill (I just googled what he was up.... https://www.ultimaterugby.com/news/liam-gill-reveals-how-his-move-back-to-australia-fell-through/639539 ..... Rennie actually approached Gill this year, but then Scott Johnson never returned his calls, so Rennie is searching world wide too in this back to the future recruitment drive to fill these gaps. Re my son, he gave it a yr when he was about 7, but even then we felt like we'd left it a bit late. Some of the kids of playing families seem like they were born with rugby boots on. But going to the club awards, you notice as the grades get older the teams get way smaller, until the 18yr olds have to merge with other clubs just to form a team. Where as at the junior levels there's multiple teams. We could have pushed him a little harder maybe. I better go do some work. :stoked:
Wallabies_Larkham
Roar Rookie
Hi James..I feel sorry for DR being in this situation..but this is because we set high expectations of the wallabies ..I have accepted that we are consistently inconsistent like another roarer said..I think your team also don't have any flyhalves besides mounga and barrette that is hitting 30 years of age..there is still cruden though and that flyhalves from the Highlanders who has Akira and rieko surname seems very raw...you see DR does not seem to be be interested in Harrison and any other young fella if the Noah project is not working..Toomua at this stage of his career seems to be effective as a bench player from what we have seen so far...Noah needs another young bloke that can put pressure on him for the 10 jersey in the squad..there is also Duncan the former red player that is waiting for his opportunity..banks has been Shockingly rundown by rieko and his line kicks are as short as Foley now..there are other options available but DR seems to entertain certain players longer than others...I have noticed fozzie looks quite relaxed..his even having fun by poking/glaring at the camera lens..so James maybe the other all black fans must take a chill pill and let him do his business...your son probably likes cricket or soccer...the black caps are doing well in cricket and most Boyz have posters of Messi and CR7 albeit on their phones as times have change..
Colvin Brown
Roar Guru
From what I've seen Koro was clearly in the wrong position and should not have touched Jordie in any way while Jordie was in the air. That is, all rights belonged to Jordie while he was in the air, these rights only lost if he deliberately kicked Koro in the face (which would introduce another law) which he didn't. The Red Card should be reversed.
GJ
Roar Rookie
Doubt that. A few injuries slow everyone down.
Fox
Roar Guru
Oh Geoff Oh Geoff my man…I am going to gloat…was I right about Akira or what old son? Not so much you Geoff as you were sort of neutral on Akira but there is a couple of “experts” on here that are eating crow right now but probably won’t admit it. :silly: Here is another prediction. If he isn’t close already – he will be the most dynamic 6 in the game in the near future IMO. My god he has some skillset for any player let alone a no6
Fox
Roar Guru
Ricardo that is disingenuous to Akira – he made 9 from 9 and missed none in the last test and this one and made 10 from 11 this game and it should be noted than when he was defending around the ruck the Wallabies made no breaks there only when they had him playing out wide or he was buried in the previous ruck. Furthermore Ricardo he drove players back a metre on four occasions in the contact. He was immense in the D. You know I have saying for ages Ricardo that Akira when he gets his game together will be the best 6 in NZ and I have been proven right and some.
Faith
Roar Rookie
Yup - always keen on what Highlander says esp about ABs current back row play.
Jokerman
Roar Guru
Perhaps he was worried about what his beautician may say? Luckily his skin was unmarked. Bless ‘em.
Bourkos
Roar Rookie
Jordie looks at korobeite as he's dropping down from the catch and extends his knee so the boot makes contact with the face. There is no doubt about the intention to push korobeite back with the foot. Maybe not to the face.
Bourkos
Roar Rookie
Be interesting to see how you go with a face full of studs. Korobeite is a beast and doesn't have drama in his dna
Bourkos
Roar Rookie
Sonny himself has commented on his lack of smarts which is why he left school at 15 and played professional rugby.
Mario
Roar Rookie
Fin, The Force have been working on building their development pathways and local talent and continue to do so. There was an announcement today about the appointment of Chris Goodman to lead their academy side - https://www.westernforce.com.au/goodman-to-lead-fortescue-academy/. Goodman was the Crusaders Academy director. In regards to recruiting overseas, part of that is probably to limit the so called poaching from other states, but also to bring in experienced players that can help develop a winning culture and pass on the knowledge they have gained from long and successfull careers.
James in NZ
Guest
Gidday WL. I must admit that performance from both teams surprised me (under and over estimated respective efforts). But yeah I agree with the general census around here that Lolesio isn't ready for this big stage yet. But makes you wonder where all the Oz flyhalves are? I mean you have Quade 33, JOC 31, To’omua 31 (dropped for Kerevi which I guess worked out well),Hodge 27 (more of a mr fix it) then Lolesio who's 21. (I must admit I thought the gap was wider b4 googling their actual ages). But it just feels like there's middle generation within that group of talent missing. In the wider community a generation is 20 yrs, in rugby I'd say its 5 yrs (with them having such a quick rugby life now). So we currently have the 3 amigos/Aaron Cruden age group heading towards the 2nd/3rd division stage of their careers as pensioners (give or take). I mean Oz has had some powerful U20 teams recently, but then as Mr Parkes and another mentioned here the step up from u20 to test level isn't exactly easy. I know that between our countries its big pop vs small pop, 1st football code vs 4th. But I worry for Oz rugby's development myself, especially when two of the best players on Sat for Oz, were both Fijians who're both about to be based in Japan. I came of age in your monikers (+Eales, Kefu, Owen W, Roff, G.Smith and so on) era, so it gives me no pleasure to see this. Its a hard one, because we demand the results, but then the quick fixes just exaggerate the long term problems. I'm in North Canty and I can tell you young ones (including my son) aren't signing up and sticking with rugby like they used to. But all of a sudden we have Foster on 81% and Rennie on 25%Ws. Both of which I don't is a true indication of where they're at. Yeah playing the Pumas and Boks will be telling for us both.
adam smith
Roar Rookie
Akira has never played against the Boks in a test match, which is an entirely different set of pressures compared to Super Rugby. Wether he has "smashed them" or not in various games, my point remains the same. He has gone missing in many previous Super Rugby games, and is now "in-form". I agree, if he can maintain this form (against the Boks specifically) he could very well be our best ever. Plenty of other talented players have failed to perform against the Boks, hence my apprehension.
CW Moss
Roar Rookie
You know Geoff, it's interesting looking at people like Christian Cullen, Dan Carter, Tim Horan or Michael Lynagh. They were picked when very young and lapped it up. Cool heads, made it look easy. It's not mentioned much but are the WB's choking under pressure, cruel but ...
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
Actually Tony, SBW, joins the long list of ' Ning Nongs' we have commentating now. Even Merhts isn't that great. Be nice to hear someone, at least, that can actually & completely, call the game at hand.
Tim J
Roar Rookie
Hello Geoff and hope that your day is going well. Read Mark Reason on Stuff Rugby as he agrees with the red card and explains the law around Jordie Barrett’s leading with the foot extended :thumbup:
Tim J
Roar Rookie
For those arguing that it was Koroibete at fault, jump onto Stuff Rugby and read Mark Reason and his article. This should end the argument, unless you think that there should be no laws.
Carlin
Roar Rookie
That's a valid point they have some gas men for sure. Sorry had forgot about them.