From the outside looking in, Australia's defeat to Argentina was coming

I'm glad you at least addressed the questions. For that at least you deserve some credit. I also completely believe you (and others) don't think you're being condescending. Those doing the condescending never do. My comment was mostly about getting you to think consciously about it. Even now, can you come up with a reason for writing this article? You wrote an article criticising the Wallabies on an Australian site where there is already plenty of criticism of the Wallabies - both from authors and commentators, both before the match and subsequently - after a match where almost everyone here widely panned their own team and praised the opposition. You then mention international rugby rankings and past performances. Do you think we're unaware of these facts? Do you think we can't read, or simply choose not to? So what was the motivation behind writing such an article, given the above? These questions are rhetorical, by the way, feel free to not answer if you like.

What a terrible article, very poorly informed. No one in Australia has been optimistic about the wallabies for years.

The result was coming because of the many disruptions and drama in the team. Every player who had a shocker player well below their usual standard. Depth had very little to do with it. I'm not saying they would have won if every player had had an "average" game, but it would not have been a slaughter. The second reason is that after a big win, the Wallabies tend to switch off, especially against a traditionally weaker team. This has been a pattern for a while, so I'm at least glad they got it out of the way now. I've answered you. Care to address my questions?

Australia's loss to Argentina may have been coming, but not for the reasons you stated. You say that Australian players are just not good enough in enough depth. While the depth/injury problem is a real one, It was a comedy of errors that gifted Argentina such a heavy win - from players that can (and usually) do better. Argentina were good, but not 48 points good. On another note, we occasionally get English commentators on this site and it prompts me to ask: Do you all know how condescending you sound? This is a real question by the way and not rhetorical. I even hear it in "professional" commentators during a match. I can hear them sneering their way through calling the match in the most one-sided fashion I've ever experienced. Just open contempt with the thinnest of veneers. This is most prevalent in England (less-so the rest of Britain, and even less-so Ireland). Every other country's commentators clearly show their team preference while still managing to call the game relatively fairly, but not English ones. Why is that? While we're on the topic, what is it that you feel you have to be so proud of? In the entire history of the RWC, the whole northern hemisphere has managed to win it exactly once. Every other time was either Australia, NZ or SA. Rugby in the NH is definitely in better health than down here right now - no question. But in the entire era of professionalism it's taken you almost 30 years to get here. The general standard is generally higher in NH leagues right now. And how did you get here? You bought out much of the talent from around the world to pad out your leagues or even bring them directly into your national teams. Congratulations, you're richer. That's it. Not better athletes, nor more innovative, or whatever. Money. Not even yours, but that of the extremely rich people that own and run your leagues and teams - many at a financial loss - and it still took a couple of decades to see the results. By all means, be happy when your team wins, but do you really have to be so mean-spirited about it?

Yeah Noahs got a way to go. Wouldn't mind the two Tahs 10s getting in the mix. Sooner the better, RWC not far away.

Gday Biltong I'm not sure the soft draw will be enough for Oz. It is real pity that the draw precludes all of France, NZ, Ireland and SA being in semis. Sill expect may be one of the best RWCs ever, cross-fingers. Cheers KP

I often think that Jake White would have achieved more with the Wallabies if he had been appointed instead of Link in 2013.

The WBs demonstrate what is wrong with AUS rugby. If we look at the Superugby as a barometer, we can't expect too much from the WBs. There is a lack of embracing the basics of rugby, eg. the scrum as a weapon, line-out contesting as a norm, winning more contact than you lose, tackling for keeps, outworking your opponent across the field, contesting every breakdown across the team and the one which frustrates me...a lack of a tactical (territorial) KICKING GAME. These things, if consistently applied, makes your life easier and you don't need many talents for it, just hard work. When all else failed against Eng and Arg, there was no territorial kicking game to create and transfer pressure. It has been lacking in my humble view since Larkham retired. Why are all the 9s, 10s, 12s and 15s in AUS not on a proper kicking programme for the last 20 years? France, SA, NZ, Eng, Ireland have all mastered that art and will keep killing the 'adventurous' WBs when they start losing the contact zones. So AUS should start playing real rugby by embracing the basics of creating pressure on your opponent first, before they debate the technicalities of the game. I'M NOT SURE IN WHICH ROLE, BUT....BRING JAKE WHITE IN PLEASE!

It'll be a disaster for Australian rugby to go out at the quarter stage for the 2nd RWC in succession thats for sure however its a real likelihood given the reality of our position which is currently 7th in the world. Yes there is probs still an expectation among the ''casual'' Australian supporter that we are among the top 4 in the world. We aint.

OZ doesn't have much resistance to go through to a semi final next year, only England stands in their way to a final really. The "top four" teams are all on the other side of the draw.

Joshua most Australian fans I speak to and know (and I hazard a guess I know far more than you) are completely realistic on the Wallabies current position, which as you point out is around 6th to 8th best in the world. We yearn for improvement, but as the series with England showed and Argentina reinforced, we are a long way from the top 4. And we've been in that position for the last 6 years. The result on Saturday was depressing but not surprising. As you point out we were afflicted by injuries and withdrawals - we had what IMO are about our 6th and 7th best hookers playing, on 24 hours or so notice. We had, at best, a 4th choice fullback who as England saw is a good test standard winger but as anyone who paid attention to the Super Rugby would have known, isn't so good at fullback. We haven't been much chop since we humiliated you lot back in 2015 when England became the first and to date only host not to make it into the quarter finals of the RWC. As for the summer of 23 and the RWC starting in September, well I predict both England and Australia will make it through to the semi finals given the draw has us both avoiding the top 4 teams until then. Mind you a pool loss by either team (quite possible for Australia against Wales and even Fiji these days, and don't discount Argentina on their day against England) would possibly see an Australia- England quarter final, again ... wouldn't that be fun?

Josh You're on the money. If Oz makes the semis, they will have performed very well. Cheers from Wallabyland, KP

Not likely then big a :laughing: , Poms 1st5 is better than noah all day. Its something to read while no big games are on,at least he's putting up a story.

Hopefully Test 2 v Argentina was an outlier — a combination of being drained after the previous week’s emotion, more injuries and poor prep. I was expecting a flat performance but what they dished up was unacceptable. Must have been really disappointing to those who did put in the effort, like Slipper, Valetini and Ikitau.

if Australia gets a good run with injuries and they click and tighten up their errors and panic passes in attack and get a fair go from the refs they can win the whole thing, period. Just to reciprocate, do you really think that the Charriots have a chance with pretty boy at 10 ?