Dave Rennie looked even less deadpan than usual during the Wallabies 38-21 defeat to the All Blacks on Sunday – in fact he looked like he was going to bust a foo-foo valve every time one of his players made a mistake.
The pressure showed on the park as well, with the frustration showing among the players when something went wrong.
That’s okay though, the frustration indicates a team that was for the most part desperately trying to make amends for what was an insipid performance a couple of weeks earlier in Bledisloe 2, where the scoreline was a record 57-14 to the men in black.
We didn’t see nearly as many instances of players jogging or walking to where they needed to be on the park when they should have been sprinting, which to put it politely really got on my goat during Game 2.
There was only one clear instance where a non-fatigued defender didn’t make the effort he should have to scramble in defence. I’m not going to name names, but it highlights a home truth that all rugby players should have drilled into them from the first time they pick up a ball: it doesn’t matter how skilful or strong you are if you are on the wrong part of the park when those abilities are needed.
The fact is the All Blacks were just better, in particular Noah Lolesio’s game management was exposed in the toughest of Tests, but he is only 21 years old and is playing in a new inside back and midfield combination.
In contrast, 30-year-old Kiwi star Beauden Barrett had far more experience around him. What did any reasonable Wallabies fan seriously think was going to happen in the face of such a disparity in experience and cohesion?
(Photo by Joe Allison/Getty Images)
Lolesio has x-factor, which Rennie clearly wants to nurture, and is a true competitor so will grow as a result of the experience, though I wonder whether a bit of time on the bench without so much pressure and to reflect, might do him some good.
James O’Connor was due back into camp this week but if he can’t play this weekend, Reece Hodge is a capable replacement at 10, who deserves a start after loyally serving as Mr Fix-it from the bench.
Michael Hooper again showed why his opposite number, Dalton Papalii, as a new All Black in 2018 described the Aussie captain as his favourite player for his “relentless effort off the ball”. Perhaps more than anything this highlights the importance placed on work ethic in the most professional rugby culture on Earth.
Another shining example of work ethic is Samu Kerevi, whose first game in gold since 2019 involved an epic effort of 23 runs for 97 metres, as well as a 90-yard chase of David Havili after his intercept, almost running the All Black down. That a 108 kg man can almost run down an opponent 20kg lighter in the 61st minute, when he had already run so much during the game, reminds us of the epic athlete that Australian rugby has been missing in Kerevi.
One thing Kerevi might do to get his side a quick incremental improvement is to be wary that his big personal presence and ‘lead from the front’ attitude doesn’t result in the young players either side of him having the confidence to speak up and lead when necessary, especially the 10, who is supposed to be steering the attack.
Having an experienced player like Kerevi outside him could be the international making of a young player like Lolesio, but Kerevi needs to allow him to make the attacking decisions and it is hard for Lolesio to do that when Kerevi is usually the first to get his hands on the ball.
Samu Kerevi. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)
It would also be great to see Kerevi use that excellent high kick to the corner that he used to do from about 30 to 40 metres out, which invariably leads to the opposition winger kicking the ball out and giving the Wallabies an attacking lineout close to the line.
Rennie pointed out that there wasn’t enough kicking from his charges, so Kerevi’s contribution in that department would be invaluable.
Intercepts have happened five times now against the All Blacks, which indicates that it is a team-wide skill/decision-making issue that needs to be addressed.
I’m pretty sure both the international and Super Rugby coaches will be all over whatever needs to be done to correct the issue from now on, so they’ll get there, probably after giving up a few more, but at least it means that the Wallabies are attempting to play positive rugby.
Perhaps whatever drills they need to do to address the issue could also improve the Aussies’ own collective ability to score intercept tries?
The only shift in thinking that Rennie might need to make is to understand that he is not building a provincial rugby team, where a lot more leeway is given for player development. As an international coach he will be expected to get a decent win ratio well before the 2023 World Cup, which might mean shifting the balance of his starting selections towards proven experience in the short term, while developing the young players with all their potential from the bench and in Super Rugby.
All in all though, Deadpan Dave can afford to keep his foo-foo valve intact, there was definite progress from Game 2 to Game 3 and in particular the on-field work ethic, which is the foundation for all success in rugby, improved dramatically for most of the team.
Keep at it Wallabies.
numpty
Roar Rookie
I think that starting pack is well and truly on the table as an option, except for Arnold. Pone injured which is why Holmes came into the squad I think. I was just thinking about the pack I'd like to start against the boks. This would be it if you wanted to try and go toe to toe.
jeznez
Roar Guru
Definitely some rotation but also in the case of Uelese over Lonergan - there was recognition of performance and searching for a way to get a result. We'll absolutely see what happens through the remaining four RC tests. Won't happen as Rennie hasn't gone this way with his 42 but I'd have loved to get a look at the pack below: 1. James Slipper 2. Brandon Paenga-Amosa 3. Taniela Tupou 4. Rory Arnold 5. Izack Rodda 6. Rob Valetini 7. Michael Hooper 8. Isi Naisarani 16. Jordan Uelese 17. Angus Bell 18. Pone Fa'amausili 19. Lukhan Salakaia-Loto 20. Peter Samu I wouldn't have picked Samu last week but I think he performed so gets another go ahead of Wilson/Swinton. Fa'amausili is left field but I want to see what he can do.
numpty
Roar Rookie
I think test 3 against the french was about squad rotation, short turnaround etc. I understand the wallabies played well then and I certainly wouldn't be upset if that team was picked again, but I don't think that 23 is emblematic of Rennie's ideal 23. The last 23 selected certainly had a different flavour to it, but that is only one game. Lets wait and see if this shift sticks around. Only 2 tests ago swinton, BPA, Valetini, Philip, LSL, Wilson are all in the 23.
jeznez
Roar Guru
This is why my initial comment was about coherence. . He headed big and abrasive with Swinton, Naisarani, Valetini and Uelese for the 3rd French test. . On the weekend the pack contained Lonergan and Samu in place of two of those guys. . Coupled with Slipper, Alaalatoa, getting so much more time than Bell and Tupou and that dose repeated at lock with Swain/Philip preferred to Rodda. . There is a major shift to the philosophy of the pack selection.
numpty
Roar Rookie
Interesting. I have thought Rennie's selection, the backrow in particular, has lent towards large, dynamic ball carriers. He has consistently chosen the likes of swinton, wilson, valetini, and even Naisarani to a degree over guys like samu and wright. Even in the backs, he is picking a 9-10-12-15 of tate, noah, kerevi and banks. All ball runners first, distributors/playmakers second. Lonergan coming in so green as well.
jeznez
Roar Guru
Not doubting that Alan has a much higher defensive workrate than Nela but he's giving zero in attack. Tupou appears low in confidence - must be so frustrating coming on with the game already lost when he can be such an influential player. I'll disagree on 'good enough', anyway, let's see who Rennie picks for the next one. The change to lighter more mobile forwards hasn't worked and I think will be further exposed by the Boks if he tries to give it another go.
Bobby
Roar Rookie
Peter, reckon he'll get plenty of good, hard and flat passes from the bloke inside him this week.
PeterK
Roar Guru
no other 10 is being developed in wallaby squads though QC is better than NL right now and probably will be in 2 years time in terms of game management and reading the game
PeterK
Roar Guru
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PeterK
Roar Guru
Bobby - Kerevi stats 23 runs, 10 passes, 3 offloads, so no he doesn't kill anyone outside him
PeterK
Roar Guru
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numpty
Roar Rookie
Not doubting your stats above. But, I think you'd be hard pressed to argue that Tupou has a higher workrate than AAA, particularly in defence. I'd be happy to see either of slipper or bell start. And beyond all of this, I think that largely the WB pack has been 'good enough' with the main issues with the WBs at the moment around kicking/game management in the backs and overall experience/composure.
jeznez
Roar Guru
Glaring is your word not mine but I'd say the situation with Lonergan, Swain and last week with Sio is utterly glaring. For the props I wasn't overly impressed by JS and AA's work rates on the weekend. Most important thing to note is that Slipper and Tupou have had the tougher scrummaging assignments, Bell and Alaalatoa have had it a bit easier on that front. Also acknowledging that below is very raw without clean out numbers and says nothing about quality of involvements only minutes per discrete action (pass, run, tackle and missed tackle): Bell - 2.3 Tupou - 3.8 Slipper - 4.1 Alaalatoa - 5.2 I do expect the finishers who played 23 minutes to have higher work rates than the starters but that doesn't give a free pass to Alaalatoa who had the same number of pass/run/tackle (10) as Bell in 2.5 times the minutes (57 vs 23). I included missed tackles above because I'm just counting effort not quality but if we take them out Tupou and Alaalatoa both get quite a bit worse: Bell - 2.3 Slipper - 4.4 Tupou - 4.6 Alaalatoa - 5.7
numpty
Roar Rookie
I think you've got some decent points but I'd argue that none of these are 'GLARING' errors. The hookers are a mess I agree, but I think its simply because none of them except BPA are giving him what he wants. I agree with Swain and would have him on the bench. I think all backrow options have been playing well, so I'm not too fussed on who is picked although I'd probably find a spot for Wilson in my team. I don't mind Samu in the team purely for his experience/smarts around the park and fringe defence, particularly against the ABs. Maybe not SA. You know better than I, but I think Slipper and AAA have been outstanding around the park in terms of work rate, which is key against ABs. See Bishops article about the reds tight 5 a while back. Once again, against SA it may be a different proposition.
Cheika_Mate
Roar Rookie
We’re not moving fwds even with those blokes in the squad.
jeznez
Roar Guru
I think the squad management around the hookers that saw us playing Fainga'a and Lonergan while Uelese was cut absolutely bizarre. Swain being our first choice is well off. Rodda's been with them for a while and is clearly our most experienced lock. Even Philip is struggling, if we wanted to bring some players in from offshore then why didn't we have a go at Arnold? It was only injury that stopped him coming in last year and he could have made a huge difference. Samu was good but really not sure how he overtook Naisarani. Swinton has been quiet for two games now, if we'd had Isi and Rob both playing well then now might be the time to bring in Samu instead of Lachie. The match before's selection of Sio over Bell was the strangest one of all. I can't see how Frost made the overall squad ahead of Hosea. I'm not sure that Slipper and Ala'alatoa is being productive enough. Bell and Tupou have to be pressuring the starters. Would be good to get Bell on just a bit earlier at a minimum to see how he holds up to Laulala. Tupou, I'd consider making the swap outright. Backs I'll leave to others who are better qualified but clearly there are issues there as well.
numpty
Roar Rookie
Such as? Not disagreeing per say, just curious.
Package
Guest
I posted my current propose team here earlier without going too much into details And it’s coming from a good place in trying to better Rugby and have coached and developed on both countries. And as the saying goes, there are good coaches, and there are great coaches. The mahi and results have always been the indicator along with credentials. This is the backline I picked with players currently available with reasons. 9-McDormett-current form player in the team 10-Hodge-Next Best Option & can play 11-Petaia-X factor so much potential, need more game time 12-Kerevi-Picks himself 13-Koroibete-This is a major problem area for the team atm, seen this guy play for awhile now and what he can offers that position is speed and good defence, competitiveness &Xfactor etc, and what have you got to loose, the guy can play. 14-Kellaway-he can play at this level, will only get better 15-Banks-Has Potential and need to build combinations. 16-White 17-Lolesio 18-Paisami Off course you need a good f-pack to provide the ball but that’s another story. My philosophy is always pick your strongest starting team possible, and throw everything you have from the kick off especially the first 15-20 mins, to expose the opposition strength & weaknesses, establish momentum and tempo for rest of game. Important to establish a realistic and purposeful Game Plan. This is another reason for my input. Tupou is your strongest front rower, and he is coming of the bench for 15 to 20 when the game is sometimes decided. He is a starter he gives stability in the set pieces, provide go forward and momentum and has the X factor, no brainer Something to chew over cos outside the ABs you are my next favourite team ????????
Guess
Roar Rookie
It’s all well and good but can you tell what Rennie is doing with those bad players? Don’t you think his plan is too unclear?
Guess
Roar Rookie
Exactly I've been trying to understand what's Rennie's plan from the first game last year and it still eludes me. Yes cattle is not the best but I believe Rennie is partly accountable for the results too