And so, as replacement goal-kicker Rhys Priestland split the posts from close range in the 82nd minute of the Australia-Wales Test match at Principality Stadium in Cardiff, that was it for Wallabies season 2021.
And all there remained was to pore over the entrails of the Covid-affected carcass of Australian rugby in which we, the sports fan, were (mostly) up and (occasionally, as usual) down in terms of feeling for our national rugby union team.
As Vinnie Jones said at the end of Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels: “It’s been emotional”.
For the Wallabies’ play was, despite a 3-nil clean sweep by the All Blacks and the worst European tour in Australian rugby history, actually, mostly, pretty good, at least in relative terms to the last few years.
Promising colts bounded about, the Giteau Law was bent like a quaint notion from another time, and a former hot-stepping pole-cat came back to pilot the Good Ship Wallaby to wins over Argentina, France, Japan and the world champion Springboks.
The series loss to New Zealand was not unexpected (if infuriating) while you could suggest that if England, Scotland and Wales toured our hemisphere at the end of their season missing players the results would swing diametrically.
For all that, for mine, there was more upside than down.
Hunter Paisami had a breakout year capped by a super game in the No.12 against Wales. Deft grubbers, soft hands, stepping and/or bullocking running lines as required, he could be something indeed. He could be Samu Kerevi and we will talk more of him.
(Photo by Anthony Au-Yeung/Getty Images)
Len Ikitau outside Paisami looked good too, and they appear to have a tidy, burgeoning, incisive combination. Dave Rennie looks to have imbued both men with a mandate: have a go, express yourselves, enjoy your talents.
Another colt Noah Lolesio looks a tad raw while veteran James O’Connor appears a serviceable, safe option in the No.10. For mine, though, the flyhalf for Australia must be the irrepressible Quade Cooper who has parlayed more modest, yet more effective five-eighth play into tantalising possibilities, the best kind of possibilities.
Who’d have thought? Indeed had you suggested early this year that Cooper would make a comeback much less appear the Great Redeemer and Missing Link in the headless chook of the Wallabies back division you’d have been laughed out of assembly at Rugby School.
And yet, here we are.
Yes, yes, yes, he will turn 34 in April of 2022. But he remains fit as a trout and a better player – a better five-eighth, anyway – than he was ten years ago when he was smoking up the joint as the demon spawn of Benji Marshall, Carlos Spencer and Zebedee the Spring from the Magic Roundabout. (Google him, kids.)
Comeback stories abounded. Will Skelton came back. Rory Arnold came back. Izack Rodda came back. And thus with crazy-eyed colt Matt Philip, the Wallabies have big options in the lineout, big bodies standing midfield and repelling hard charges.
They’ll tell you size doesn’t matter but they would not know what they’re talking about.
And they would not have seen the thunder thighs of Samu Kerevi bullocking up guts for Australia. That a No.12 could give a team such go-forward is testament to his skill, balance and toughness, operating as he does in the cloistered central channels.
And whatever further tweaks, bending or outright abolition of the Giteau Law are required to get Kerevi in Wallabies gold whenever Rennie wants him, you’d say: make it happen, Suits.
Giteau Law? Come 2023, at least, for mine, it’s toast. Coach Rennie will want Australia’s best players to play in Australia’s best team. Notions of preserving the sanctity of the Super Rugby competition, and the relative strength of the provinces, franchises, whatever we call them, well … what for?
The flagship team for rugby in this country needs to win.
And that’s just it.
Rugby in Australia needs winning Wallabies. It needs a gutsy, passionate, entertaining showing in a Rugby World Cup semi-final – at the absolute very least – in France in 2023 to bring in sports fans, bandwagon jumpers and the greater public.
Australia may not have massive depth in terms of world-class rugby players but there is enough. Marika Koroibete didn’t go to Europe, one of a glut of players who didn’t play Test matches to welcome new children.
Suli Vunivalu’s hamstrings must come good, surely, though is he any lock with the form of Andrew Kellaway? Or does Kellaway go back to fullback or is it Reece Hodge, Tom Banks or another 32-year-old and reclaimed man of the sea, Kurtley Beale?
Or maybe there’s another NRL star who might fancy himself auditioning for the crazy Frenchman’s coin in Biarritz…
Discipline, though, remains an issue. It killed the Wallabies in Cardiff. Rob Valetini rushed up on Welsh lock Adam Beard to put that team-lifting “big shot” on. And he did. But as with any slightly reckless manoeuvre, there was risk – to himself, to the other guy, to the team.
And the head clash that followed was, according to the rules of engagement under which Valetini was operating, illegal. And off the field he went.
Valetini has much in his game that you’d suggest he don’t go changin’. I like the hard charges, the tough work in tight, the big hair. But the tackling style, it just can’t be. He must go lower. Bend knees, aim guts, work up to sternum. Channel Ili Tabua, human skewer. Google him if he must.
Because with that same style, he’s a liability. And will cost Australia Test matches.
Almost forgot… Taniela Tupou! The prop was nicknamed “Tongan Thor” while wreaking havoc in schools rugby and he’s living up to the moniker now.
(Photo by Kenta Harada/Getty Images)
His hard charges into the meat of the Welsh midfield, along with ballast in the scrum and all the rest of the dark arts … the man’s among the most valuable men in gold, or in green as was the case Saturday night in Cardiff.
The Wallabies scrum was as good as anyone’s. It won crucial penalties with scrum-popping beast moves. The lineout throwing, as ever, needs work, though hitting Paisami over the back is a cracker of a party move.
But then every Test team needs work. The Wallabies remain a work in progress as do the Welsh. And English. And French, All Blacks, Boks, all of them.
And we do judge our national team harshly, particularly given New Zealand lost two on the trot and South Africa lost to England and beat Young Wales by just three.
And here we are, Little Australia, a small fish in a big pond punching above our weight given the athletes who gravitate to rugby league and Australian rules and whatever else.
And, right now, on the world rugby stage, it’s actually a pretty open field. It’s a Melbourne Cup with six to eight favourites from $6-$12.
Value everywhere.
And, best team on the park, there’s value in Australia.
Bobbles
Guest
Hooper was horrible.Just stop it.Both Watson and Underhill dominated him.
West Aussie Exile
Roar Rookie
Thank you, Matt. I agree that, despite the losses and frustrations about indiscipline, a year with more positives than negatives. Yes, we need QC, Arnold, Skelton and Kerevi (maybe Beale?) but I think RA need to keep some protocols in place as Giteau Law changes . For instance, rather than players joining almost at random from o/s as this year, Covid context, I know, better to be clearer. For example, Rennie selects above players at beginning of year and their clubs aware of that commitment, so no refusal to release. No other players added during year except for extreme circumstances
Dave Garnier
Guest
Nice work Matthew, a good punt, not to different to the T20 side winning the T20WC. Australia at $11 a year out is a long time to have your money with Sporstbet. Maybe a punt on zed.run crypto horseracing into the Wallabies a bit closer to cup time makes more sense
Double Agent
Guest
You're all class Winston.
Mungbean74
Roar Rookie
Good post! I’m pretty sure it was Locky Swinton who was offside at the side of the ruck in the last penalty yesterday. He was blatantly in front of the try line from where most of the players were defending from. Just such a stupid penalty. And the biggest peeve of mine is we need to forget about the opposition when the ball goes up, and focus on the ball. How many times this year did we get pinged for blocking on a kick chase! Way too many for my liking!
Warwick Todd
Guest
....got a point old fella or your hemorrhoids swollen again?
Mick Gold Coast QLD
Roar Guru
Our Quade, yes. And George Smith - he was good. Nathan Gray too - he would stiffen up the spine over near the left edge. Solid.
Terry
Guest
Well said. QC is the only world class 10 we have.Let him play in Japan and call on him when the World Cup squads are announced. Him and Kerevi cannot be replaced.
WINSTON
Roar Rookie
If Nic Berry refs, Uruguay could win the rwc if he wants
WINSTON
Roar Rookie
Australia ended the year punching way above where they started. 2023 they will be a Q finalist, and from there it's anybody's game. All S hemisphere teams were beaten this weekend, but cometh the hour cometh the man, 2023, there will be a southern hemisphere side in the final. Any1 of the top 3 from the South, maybe both. Depending on the Q finals draws
FrancisF
Roar Pro
AAP reported “Wallabies coach Dave Rennie insists that he takes full responsibility for the lack of discipline in his team which lay at the root of Australian rugby’s first winless tour to Europe since 1976.@ Thank God, Rennie realised that too…it is the INDISCIPLINE, the shackles on the Wallabies from becoming a great competitive international rugby team. Damn, I have been harping on this for ages. Now Rennie has admitted it openly, I am more interested to know what he is going to do about if … and how . The problem Rennie faces is that the indiscipline in the team came not from a handful of players, but it pervades across the whole team AT EVERY MATCH. I can’t wait for next season to arrive to see whether Rennie can earn his keep by being able to remove this persistent Wallabies disease.
Mungbean74
Roar Rookie
I enjoyed the last game of the year although I was frustrated like others with some of the calls but I thought there were some good signs. I was happy to see Daungunu a favourite of mine back in the fold and I thought he played a pretty good game. I would like to know what others thought of his performance. My biggest question is what is happening with Quade Cooper? How long has he got left on his Kintetsu contract? And will he be signed by an Australian team for at least 2023? I’m guessing as long as Brad Thorn is at the Reds he’s not going there anyway. The Wallabies need Quade as we have seen he can be the difference. I might be biased but I’ve always been a believer in him and he is a big piece to our puzzle I reckon.
Aiden
Guest
In terms of player depth, you just can't compare us to the glory days so why bother. We are down at the bottom of the top 10 scrapping with Argentina and Scotland and even Japan on their day. We are no longer a team that other's fear to play, I'd say that they respect is and worry about an upset, but that's it. They know what we are capable of when we lift, we will upset teams, but they will feel that if they play well they will win. So that's where the assessment needs to be, against other teams that struggle for depth. Having said the above, with expectations lowered, I think there was more good than bad and there are the building blocks of a team that can challenge for a WC (although we won't win it), or at least compete with our heads held high. In terms of the coaching, I did not agree with all of the selections, but he did not do too badly with the cattle and under strange circumstances. COVID and players not coming to Europe led to disarray, but I'm hopeful they will do better next time. Tactically, we are not there yet, but I can see the way he wants us to play. While the players do keep making awful blunders, overall we are tactically smarter than we were 12 or 24 months ago. The forwards are going to be a real threat at WC time. Players are competing for positions, we have real depth, so that has to be a positive. The set pieces are much improved. In the backs, we are fine for wingers and 13. Kellaway and Ikitau are real finds. Perese and Daugunu are solid. Wright is a penalty magnet, but when he gets over than he can at least break a few tackles. We still have to see the ex-Storm bloke once he's had a full season uninjured and I'm sure Marika will be there for the WC, so no deep concerns. Remember last WC we went with one decent winger and Marika was not as good then as he is now. We don't have a really decent 10 unless Quade makes it to the WC, and he needs to be in the squad for the RC at least. But he also needs a back up. This is the biggest gap and not sure we can manufacture one. At 12, Hunter has been pretty bad, but he was good against Scotland (albeit with some errors) and very good against Wales. So there is improvement. Good back-up for Kerevi, but if no Kerevi then ... ugh. At 15, none of the options are very good really, even the injured guys. But Banks is reasonably dependable when he catches the ball. Never thought I'd miss him until he wasn't there. It's obvious we need Cooper, Kerevi and possibly Marika to actually have a chance of making a final but what team doesn't need a couple of key players? What we found out is, Quade and Kerevi can make this team hum, and that's good to know. In terms of using OS based players, I'm fine with it, but the ducks need to be in a row at the start of the international season with clear commitments or a clear understanding all round. Then we can get people into camp and have a look at them, perhaps using some different combinations for the England series and then solidify for the RC. People say tests are not a place to trial players but (1) we have issues in some key positions and that's a problem other teams don't have so how else do we learn; and (2) look at France, building depth this way. In terms of the games, French series we were underdone, but showed we had some resilience. Good win in the third game and a fun series. Blown away by the ABs, men against boys. But excellent v SA and scrappy wins in the next three games. Probably did not play to potential, but showed we can get over the line. Really awful against Scotland, and yet we were still in that game, and given the card to AAT, perhaps deserved the win. I think we were not as bad as many think against England, and were still in that game to the 70th minute. Against Wales, we won in my mind (puts hands on ears and says na na na to drown out the noise).
Dougie
Roar Rookie
The Wallabies need QC Kerevi and Marika to be competitive even dominant at times. Without their World Class play and leadership ( especially Quade) the Wallabies are a level below the top 5 teams. Over to you RA.
Reds Harry
Roar Rookie
Either that or adopt the US model where they sit completely away from the game and conduct video reviews separately and without prompting from crowds or refs on the field.
Bobby
Roar Rookie
Have thou GG ht previously of the 10 "school". Pick 7 or 8 talented lads and teach then the finer aspects. 10's are often bred or naturals but honing skills is the key. A raft of expert former and current blokes like Noddy, McLean, Larkham and Quade would make a good Faculty across different skills.
Don
Roar Rookie
I’d be interested to see some analysis of Pete Samu’s game. Looked to me like without Hooper, everyone took it on themselves to get to our rucks and get the ball out fast. We rarely threatened their recycle though and Basham had a great game for Wales. Samu was good with ball in hand and threw a really handy long pass to set up. But I think those who’ve proposed that he’s an option to play at 7 ongoing have been shown he’s not a 7, but he’s a solid bench option.
terrykidd
Roar Pro
Yep there is a lot to like. QC coming back and doing so well was a revelation. JOC not doing so well at 10 was pretty much what I expected. QC has the inside running for Wallaby 10, then lined behind him are Loloesio, Harrison, Carter Gordon, Donalson (although I reckon he should make fullback his own). Is there any chance Wisenthal could get a 10 school going with QC as head teacher?
LBJ
Roar Rookie
Its always nice to look on the bright side.... But sorry, I don't see it. We had 2 good games - but they were the outliers. The rest was pedestrian at best - although they tried hard. 50% record when everything was in our favour (enormous time together, Abundance of home tests and ability to pick any player) is a poor season. And we are a very long way off the pace setters - England, NZ and France (first string side) - thankfully we didn't play Ireland. And to finish the season off the coach has decided that it's the referees fault...not great.
The Late News
Roar Rookie
Vinny and Zebedee? Shameless name dropper you!