The rugby gods reserve a cruel form of punishment for the Wallabies fan.
Years of fresh starts, promising juniors, high-profile coaches, only to be constantly crushed by false dawns, failure to deliver, basic errors, ill-discipline, player drain to richer nations, administrative blunders, debt, reducing public interest… you name the problem, we have managed to find it.
What I find the most frustrating though is how the Wallabies constantly find new ways to lose a game. The call against the All Blacks was obviously controversial, and more than enough words will be written about it that I don’t need to add anything.
But all Foley had to do was kick the bloody ball out! No need for any prolonged discussion with the forwards about the line out or whatever his excuse was.
From there we could have moseyed on up to the line out, taken our time to set, use one of our now patented long and complicated line-out rearrangements and time would have been up.
But no, our re-called playmaker, in the side for his experience comes up with a way to clutch defeat from the jaws of victory – a trend we have seen in the Bledisloe for too many years to mention.
Referee Mathieu Raynal speaks to Nic White and Bernard Foley (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
After a slow start, including some dropped ball and missed tackles, Foley actually played quite well in the second stanza, running at the line, distributing well, kicked all his goals and setting up a couple of tries.
But an inexplicably dumb decision not to just step up and put the ball in touch or listen to the referee about wasting time led to the inevitable.
He’s not the only offender though, our inability to exit from the 22 cleanly after Nic White’s penalty really cost us. Kick off receipts have been a huge problem for us for some time and tonight was no exception.
But similarly, how many times towards the end of a game have the Wallabies or SR sides been pinged for sealing off like that when trying to chew up time on the clock?
It’s silly rugby, negative tactics and rightly comes under intense scrutiny at that stage of the game. It’s not ground-breaking stuff, run from depth, aim for the gap, have support runners in place and clean out hard. I can’t stand the meek surrender into the tackle, and it rarely works.
But there is an opportunity now to start reversing the trend. The team showed a huge amount of character to come back from three tries down.
They showed an ability to play fast, direct and accurate rugby which led to well worked team tries. Despite all the yellow cards, the team trusted each other, dug in and backed their ability.
We have the bones of a good side here, but no doubt a few tweaks are required. Foley showed more ability than Noah Lolesio to unlock our outside backs, so earned another shot.
Assuming his unavailability for the Spring tour though, Ben Donaldson and Tane Edmed should be brought into the squad. Tom Wright has had his best season this year, but is still prone to some reckless errors.
It’s a good opportunity to give Vunivalu a go next week, with a view to him getting more game time on the Spring tour in Marika Koroibete’s absence.
Suliasi Vunivalu. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)
Pete Samu must start as 7 again and be given an extended run – he was immense and played the best game by a Wallaby openside this year.
Blindside and lock remain problematic though. Darcy Swain has potential but like Tom Wright is prone to silly errors, so Nick Frost should take his place.
Frost could even start at six with Matt Phillip and Jed Holloway in the second row again. There will be some injury replacements required next week too, perhaps including Slipper.
But the 2023 Bledisloe Cup starts next week. This group needs to prove to themselves and the fans that they have the mental fortitude to win in New Zealand.
Do it this year and the task next year is much easier. The Rugby Championship trophy is up for grabs too – though a bonus point win would probably be required for us to take the title and then rely on the outcome of Springboks vs Pumas match.
A win next week would give a huge momentum boost going into a tough spring tour too. For the good of the game and us long suffering fans, it’s time to stand and deliver.
Wallaby Legion
Roar Rookie
Whole heartedly agree. Rugby is a team game. No one can Lebron a result in a test match. Not with 30 (mostly) players on the pitch.
WINSTON
Roar Rookie
True NZ Harry, as i typed it, I thought oh my, this is pretty much all of us. 23 rwc will be a battle to keep the trophy in the southern sphere
Passit2me
Roar Rookie
To focus fully for 80 minutes, we need to select players who have more even tempered personalities. High emotions will drive a player through a match, but also make them prone to poor decisions or brain snaps in the heat of the moment or in key, high pressure plays. It’s the interconnected and extreme Ying and Yang of some players personalities that bring us undone. In general terms at least, I feel we need more Kellaway types, players who can do their jobs well throughout a match by focussing on the simple things like support play, keeping their position, having good hands and running good lines. We don’t need individual X-Factor players with the left and right foot, but who seemingly have no idea how to connect with the players around them or how to maintain continuity beyond their own carry, and can’t stay focused and remain an asset for 80 minutes.
Adam (Though An Imposter)
Roar Rookie
I would argue Wright for the NZ game and take Vuni up north for the Autumn/Spring Internationals. If Foley's available, take him on tour also, but put him on the bench (at least for some matches) with Donaldson starting. I think Lolesio is on the outer for now. He'll get a chance to show his wares in SR next season under Larkham. Other than that, I pretty much agree with everything.
Trytime
Guest
Employ Fisher full time. Get rid of McKellar! Fisher has made a huge difference. Just goes to show who has been the architect behind the brumbies. It sure ain’t McClown McKellar!
Wallaby Legion
Roar Rookie
This game stuffed this curious stat. Were it not for that last call then this would hold true: the Wallabies have found a way to beat every opponent they've faced this year on first attempt. Found a way being key. By no means have they been dominant across the full 80. All of those games have ebbed and flowed. And the team has fought back from behind to get themselves the W. This suggests to me that Rennie really is building something significant here. Whether he can unlock that potential for a full 80 and get the team to exercise more control over the totality of the game remains to be seen. But the capacity to beat an opponent once certainly positions you well for a World Cup. Considering Wales are the other major team in our pool I would still like our chances of beating them a 2nd time should we both be lucky enough to make it all the way to the big dance.
Cheika_Mate
Roar Rookie
Hope your wrong Bobby if we are going to be serious at the w/c they need to put this Eden park Hoodoo to bed. Both sides have injuries so their will be changes. Fingers crossed DR makes the right moves. I think this AB side is ripe for picking if we come out of the blocks firing and preferably no one in the bin or red carded. If being filthy with the last result doesn’t motivate them nothing will.
That’s true Phil. I guess just reflecting back to last season where we saw Skelton, Latu, Hoskins and McMahon. Like even I get excited as a fan of the game to see these guys come back into the team and then they disappear again. Very unlucky with Kerevi and Cooper.
Cheika_Mate
Roar Rookie
Injuries on both sides so there will be changes either way. The wallabies Slipper looks gone to a calf issue Bell if fit must come and he’d be licking his lips at a crack at Lomax whom his got the wood on. AAA to captain with Poni whom I’m warming to cover the pines. Thor the party bus to stay on the sideline nibbling on his Jenni Craig diet. I’d keep the second row as is. Jed appears to enjoy working in close so as stated in the article I’d go Frost at 6 with the big Rob L also injured. Nifty Nev whose fit on the pines. Swaine and his dog act regardless of judiciary decisions needs a spell. To big a distraction in NZ so don’t take him. Flash stays at 9. 7 8 10 12 13 14 15 to remain the same as they were good. Tom Wright start or bench don’t care. Vunivalu for the spring tour as Koroibeti will need a spell. They can beat darkness but must be disciplined. That’s what everyone is not talking about. DR to pick his bench with preference of White McFreight Sio to start from the bench. Fainga to hot and cold for my likings wish we had an alternative. Don’t know what Uelese has done wrong my preference at 2 or from the pines. Dam good player.
TiredOldGit
Roar Rookie
I think international rugby keeps throwing up examples of how good an older head at 10 can be. Even just an influence in the team. The older 10s get the more they become calm leaders/coaches on the field. Like the influence players like Cam Smith and Tom Brady have in other sports. If there's a formula here, it's that an overseas stint near your 30s and coming back is providing the calm play makers we haven't had.
LuckyPhil
Roar Rookie
Rod, I saw it and still don't really know why. Same with Gordon's YC. Same with Papalii's YC.
LuckyPhil
Roar Rookie
LR, have you missed all the injuries. Just to run through some of the ones you mentioned: Kerevi and Quade are both injured and regardless of who they played for they wouldn't have played on the weekend. Foley was bought in after Noah's head knock and Quades injury. Agree that cohesion is hard to get, but hard for DR not to replace injured players
Brian Westlake
Roar Rookie
nice one guest. Whom do you suggest then?
Brian Westlake
Roar Rookie
I would do exactly what happened. Start with Samu. Bigger, stronger with a better skill set. Bring on mcreight at 60 and the guy is the most annoying little sh*t for the next 20. Serves twofold Samu can shine as 7 and then the big fellas are a bit too tired to catch up to mcreight. I honestly think that the nz 7 papallii that came on is out of his depth.
James in NZ
Roar Rookie
That disqualifies all of us 4N teams then. Unless the Boks find a way to remain angry for 3 boil over games on the trot.
Trytime
Guest
The only way wallabies can get better is to get rid of McKellar and his grubby protege Darcy SWINE!
Given enough time, I see Swinton turning into an Australian Peter O’Mahony.
I was a big fan of the iceman returning. It’s the age of the early to mid 30s fly half but I was low key worried he wouldn’t replicate his 2014/2015 form.
Malo
Guest
The wallabies played with a lot of heart and skill but for me I was amazed how NZ play unreal for patches and then go to sleep for about 10 minutes then turn it on again. They are not an 80 minute side. Foley deserved that penalty as even Foketi was screaming at him to kick it
WINSTON
Roar Rookie
I don't think you can win a RWC by only winning every second game