Although the Australian teams have copped a few losses in the preceding two weeks, their intent has definitely improved.
It isn’t nice to see the Force and Rebels capitulate as they did, but at least they’re having a crack.
It was almost a false dawn for Aussie teams as Trans-Tasman took centre stage, but it was great to see some positive results.
Let’s be mindful, that last year Australian teams won two games, and preceding that, have copped a hiding from our New Zealand brothers.
It has certainly taken the wind out of our sails the last few weeks, but the Brumbies have flown the Aussie flag proudly.
The Waratahs have been a massive turnaround from last year and are showing some real steel.
The Reds are probably the best team on paper, but can’t seem to get the same flow as they do, consistently against Australian opposition for the past three years, but they can perform.
(Photo by Will Russell/Getty Images)
The Rebels and Force simply have poor coaching. Tim Sampson did a wonderful job to reinvigorate the Force but the switch to Simon Cron has huge merit.
Yes, he’s a Kiwi, but he has been a resident of Australia for 20 years and has been extremely successful.
He will be treasured as an Australian icon the same as our many great entertainers such as Crowded House, Russell Crowe and the Pavlova (of course, if he fails, he’s a Kiwi).
To watch a Kiwi team is an extraordinary experience. Every team, one to five, are simply outstanding.
To see the kick in behind against the Brumbies, is cleverly looked at and arranged from the Blues.
It is the only threat from Australia and as Auckland dominated the entire competition, they picked apart the Brumbies.
The Brumbies; line speed in defence is awesome, and is not offside, like every NZ team (including the All Blacks) has got away with for 20 years when no one else can, it is genuine.
On a side note, look at any footage of the All Blacks or provincial teams that have been penalised since 1998, and show me footage. It’s at least a metre.
They haven’t been pinged for offside in defence for 24 years.
Each team has a different style, and although they get under the pump every now and then, they just find a way to win.
The Brumbies, Reds and Tahs are, at least, starting to believe. As a Wallabies unit against the All Blacks, there is nowhere near enough depth for two full strength sides, but a starting 23 and a secondary 15 is a start.
The Brumbies, Reds and Tahs are playing with ticker, I think the Force are there as well, but it looks like trips to the eastern seaboard and NZ are definitely taking their toll, but the intent and belief is at least 50 per cent more than the past five years.
The Rebels have a talented squad, but unfortunately, up front is where they are lacking. They need a strong coach.
I don’t know much about Kevin Foote, but I can see it isn’t working.
It’s time to bring through Aussie coaches through the system. It’s time to give them a chance and stop trying to replicate what happens OS.
The current crop of coaches doing well include:
Eddie Jones
Stephen Larkham (back to Brumbies)
Dan McKellar (current Brumbies and Wallabies forwards coach)
Simon Cron (Toyota, Japan (let’s see how his pavlova tasted)
Darren Coleman (NSW Waratahs)
Who replaces Foote – someone
Even Chieka is awesome for bumper run in a similar vein to Eddie.
For years, Australian rugby has been competitive at a national level. There are two national teams that have nailed us for eight and twenty years and they are England and New Zealand, respectively.
Although I see New Zealand as a longer term challenge to win the Bledisloe, it’d be great to pinch one game.
As for England, I’ll take two to one. But I’d love to see three-zip.
We have the talent, can the coaches do the same?
The mental side of rugby is huge. Mr Rennie, you’re a Kiwi, but for the next 18 months be green and gold (unless you want to exploit the offside rule in defence like the Kiwis do).
WEST
Roar Guru
Knight talk? :stoked:
Just Nuisance
Roar Rookie
Facts don’t have feelings :happy:
Paulo
Roar Rookie
I’m glad you said that. If a kiwi had, we would have been called arrogant and all sorts of other names under the Sun lol
WEST
Roar Guru
Think the contest is once every 4 years.. Yeah, we miss the Sharks, Bulls, stormers etc good ol days. Super 12 was the best :thumbup: is.. what it is.
Just Nuisance
Roar Rookie
I think it was Tony Brown that lamented the withdrawal of the Saffer teams because as he said , regardless of results they always brought the physicality to the contest . This was great preparation for the other teams for playing the European Nations . I would love to see that kind of cross match up you are suggesting, but on an annual basis . Best NH vs Best SH . But ..,, congestion rules .
Puck
Guest
Bokke Super Rugby... No - dont miss them, never watched them, never will likely as not. Zero interest, prefer. Oana and Drua.... and Jaguares...
WEST
Roar Guru
We need to Bokke back, or be lost… I read something, somewhere the best club teams compete in a series.. similar to a RWC. Crusaders vs Toulon. Leicester Tigers vs Sharks. Stade Français vs Blues Munster vs Brumbies etc etc every 4 years not a World Cup year obviously
Just Nuisance
Roar Rookie
Not an Australian problem. Week after week , month after month they get to play the best regional teams on the planet .. the problem actually is a New Zealand one . ... who do they get to play to Test them ?
Fox
Roar Guru
Sp now its Thorns fault Australia lacks deopth at 10? Every other Australian side has the same issue and some doen't even have a genuine class 10 at all just a half decent one. They are just not out there in Australian rugby right now while NZ has Mounga and Barrett two of the best in the world to begin with and then guys like Perofeta and the list gows on. It is a position that Rennie should also be looking at as he still has no one in Mounga or Barretts class or Owen Farrell or Dan Bigger etc. O'Conner is a player with loads of talent be he is still not a genuine world class 10. Maybe he will become that be he is not that yet. It is an issue for Australian rugby IMO.
Rhys
Roar Rookie
Yes I hope he keeps improving, he’s got a lot of ability. Would be good for the Rebels to get a more experienced coach to build them up, they do have a bit of talent in that side.
Rhys
Roar Rookie
Yes would be cool to have a reserve grade though it’d probably end up with bad results for Aus. Wouldn’t mind seeing an NPC, NRC crossover though. I reckon that’d be pretty cool, especially if the Drua and MP were added. I also thought Zarn looks the goods at 15, didn’t know he played 10 though
Jacko
Roar Rookie
At the Blues Zarn Sullivan was signed due to his success as a 10 below SR level and they put him at FB or bring him off the bench as an FB. The guy was a very promising 10. Chiefs have Rives Rehana and Caleb Trask coming thru but again they gets very little 10 time. the comp needs a reserve grade???
Jacko
Roar Rookie
Yes I was very vocal around Carter Gordon getting more game time at 10. Since MT got injured and they had to play him he has really gained confidence.
Rhys
Roar Rookie
From an NZ view, Morgan looks decent at the Canes as does Love. Gilbert went well vs the Force too though how much you can read into that I’m not sure after today. It’ll be intriguing to see who is behind Gatland/Ioane at the Chiefs and Barrett at the Blues, beyond Perofeta, in the event of injury though.
Rhys
Roar Rookie
I think the Reds will introduce Lynagh sooner than later, he looks a real talent. Pasitoa and Kuenzle are good players and doing well at the Force so it’s good they’re starting their journeys there and hopefully will really develop under a good coach in Cron. Brumbies are an issue as the drop between Lolesio and Iona is large. Losing Pasitoa was big, he would be perfect foil behind Noah. I’m not sure how they’ll change that, it’ll be interesting to see how the u20s go this year and what 10s are coming from that program. However, that’s a longer term solution as it’ll take 2-3 years to develop someone. Carter Gordon is another who’s growing, the more game time he can get the better.
Jacko
Roar Rookie
Rhys firstly I 100% agree its time Thorn went. He is hated and isnt progressing. However. Developing 10s seems to be a real problem in Aus. At the Reds no one but JOC gets a go. Look at the Brumbies and when Lolesio dropped out injured the backup didnt exist. The Rebels have finally started playing Carter but stuck with MT for so long I wondered whether he had photos of the coach in a compromising position. In the West we are seeing a young guy in Pasitoa start coming thru and the Tahs are the only Aus side bringing on more than 1 10 at a time. NZ has similar issues but it would become a novel if I expand.
Rhys
Roar Rookie
I’d hope we can have a real crack at this series, we really need a series win to grow some confidence in the side heading into the Bledisloes.
Rhys
Roar Rookie
Yeah I’ve mentioned a few times over the past weeks that I reckon he needs some more experience as an assistant at this level to develop his coaching abilities. Undoubtedly he’s got something as he took the Reds to best in Aus last year but the rigid tactics that aren’t working and are instead playing onto the hands of NZ teams is very poor considering their current roster. Player management and developing depth at 10 is another issue that a more experienced coach would improve upon imo, though the injury to Isaac Henry among other players has contributed to their issues. Reds with a lot to consider.
Waxhead
Roar Rookie
@Riggers As for your article, I don't think Aust has the talent to consistently beat ABs or England. I'd be happy with just 1 win against either of them. I expect England to win this 2022 series 3-0. Rennie is obviously the best coach WB have had since R Deans imo and all good Test teams exploit off-side rules to the max. WBs attempt to do it just as much as anyone else :laughing:
Waxhead
Roar Rookie
@Rhys yes agree :thumbup: Another issue for Thorn imo is not developing any good flyhalf back up for JoC. When he's not playing Reds appear pretty clueless.