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In the grand scheme of things, eight weeks out from the Wallabies’ World Cup opener, Saturday’s Test wasn’t about winning or losing. It was about discovery.
Well, that’s if you believe Eddie Jones.
“No, obviously not happy,” he said after being asked about dropping to eighth on the World Rugby rankings following their 34-31 loss to Argentina, “but in a lot of ways, in this period, this isn’t about rankings, it’s about getting ready for the World Cup.
“I’ve come here to get the team ready for the World Cup.
“Ideally, we would have won every game we played. But that hasn’t happened, and it mightn’t happen. But we’re getting the team ready for the World Cup.
“It would have been easy if I come in, pared everything back and played a really simple game, but that’s not going to win us a World Cup.”
The question, therefore, is whether the Wallabies found out much from Saturday’s dramatic 34-31 defeat to Michael Cheika’s Argentina?
While his game-plan remains a work in progress, some players advanced their World Cup case. Others did not.
Wallabies coach Eddie Jones learned more about his side despite their loss to Argentina at CommBank Stadium on July 15, 2023 in Sydney. (Photo by Jason McCawley/Getty Images)
Indeed, Mark Nawaqanitawase did more in 10 minutes than Suliasi Vunivalu in an entire Test. Perhaps, three seasons.
Although Vunivalu wasn’t entirely to blame for the Wallabies’ woeful first-up performance in Pretoria, Nawaqanitawase confirmed what most already knew: the 22-year-old NSW flyer is a special talent.
Nawaqanitawase struggled on the eve of the Super Rugby finals, but his overzealousness reflected the Waratahs’ underwhelming season.
But on Saturday, in his backyard in Parramatta, the outside back returned to the heights of last year’s Spring Tour where he finished the year as one of the most exciting young talents on the globe.
There in Dublin and then Cardiff, Nawaqanitawase, a 192cm athletic specimen, went roving and hunting for the ball and made things happen like David Campese once did.
He did it again at CommBank Stadium, playing on instinct and without the burden of fear as he played heads-up rugby and was rewarded for his desire to take the game on.
“He just backs himself all the time,” Jones said of Nawaqanitawase.
“He’s got an incredible skill set. And for a guy whose knowledge of rugby is quite scant, his decision-making is unbelievable.”
Mark Nawaqanitawase was outstanding in the Wallabies’ heartbreaking defeat at CommBank Stadium against Argentina on July 15, 2023 in Sydney. (Photo by Jason McCawley/Getty Images)
Carter Gordon was by no means faultless, but the rising playmaker, having debuted a week earlier on one of world rugby’s toughest cauldrons and scored a stunning try, took another step forward.
Asked to defend in the midfield following Len Ikitau’s fractured scapula forced his departure after 17 minutes, Gordon ripped in and not just gave it a crack but didn’t look out of place.
Jones doesn’t just want polished players, more than anything he wants his troops to have a go and be adaptable. That’s what World Cups are about. Gordon did.
Fraser McReight couldn’t turn the ball over like David Pocock, but the Reds flanker was everywhere on both sides of the ball. He also slowed it down while also stopping defenders in their tracks.
But some games, as Malcolm Marx discovered in the second half against the All Blacks on Saturday, don’t always allow for space at the breakdown.
Carter Gordon showed that he’s an adaptable player despite being thrown in the deep end by having to play at inside centre against Argentina. (Photo by Jason McCawley/Getty Images)
Jones also discovered that Angus Bell remains a force to be reckoned with off the bench.
Rob Leota, playing his first match in 10 months, also offered some punch like Lewis Ludlam, who is the same height as the Rebels forward, gave him with England.
Tate McDermott provided tempo and pace off the bench to open up the match in the second half.
A week after being smashed at the set-piece in South Africa, their stronger showing on Saturday was built off the back of parity at the scrum and Samu Kerevi’s power in the midfield.
None of this would have surprised Jones, but it would have confirmed things.
As perhaps would have the Wallabies’ inability to react quickly enough.
Three times the Wallabies managed to pounce on the ball in the first half only for the Wallabies not to react quick enough at the breakdown to squander possession. In a game of seizing moments, they are costly missed opportunities.
That’s what Jones means when he talks about improving “our decision-making around the ball”.
How many more chances Jones gives Tom Wright remains to be seen, too.
The 25-year-old is an instinctive player, but the best fullbacks aren’t just excellent decision-makers but are clinical like Hugo Keenan.
Tom Wright’s two big blunders against Argentina could hurt his chances of wearing the No.15 jersey against the All Blacks. (Photo by Scott Gardiner/Getty Images)
Wright’s two blunders late in the Test were huge marks against his name. It followed his struggles in the Super Rugby semi-final against the Chiefs.
Will Jones give Wright another chance or turn to Andrew Kellaway or Jordan Petaia, who could also be a surprise contender at inside centre particularly now a change in the midfield is necessary, or even Jock Campbell?
Kellaway is back fit from a hamstring injury and will likely be on the selection radar for Melbourne while Petaia is inching closer to a return, too.
So, while Jones was frustrated about the Wallabies’ inability to seize the moment in Sydney, admitting “there was probably no one more despondent than me, I probably ruined three radios in the coach’s box”, there were things the coach can take forward heading into the Bledisloe series.
For a new coach, quickly needing to find out who’s who in the zoo, they are important lessons.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.