A typically forthright Tate McDermott says the Wallabies are in a “world of hurt” but remains confident the adjustments in the Wallabies’ game plan under Eddie Jones are essential to become a threat at this year’s World Cup.
Winless from their opening two Tests of the year, the positivity off the field has yet to transfer onto the pitch after last weekend’s heartbreaking loss to Argentina.
It has left Australian rugby supporters on edge ahead of their annual series against New Zealand, where Ian Foster’s All Blacks have come out of the blocks firing after strong victories over Argentina and South Africa and are heavy favourites to keep hold of the Bledisloe Cup for a 22nd straight year.
But McDermott says an emphasis on “error recovery” after committing “cardinal sins” in general play can make a world of difference, as the Wallabies attempt to flip the script ahead of their return to the Melbourne Cricket Ground next Saturday.
“A lot of it’s around working hard early,” he said. “We were slow to set, slow into position and slow to open our mouths. We’re in a world of hurt. It’s an easy fix for us, but we’ve got to make that shift and we’ve got to make it pretty quick.
“We had put in a hell of a lot of work and it didn’t receive much out of it. Two disappointing performances but at the end of the day, we’ve only got ourselves to blame. We licked our wounds, we reviewed, and then we moved on bloody quickly because we had to.”
The Wallabies have highlighted their “error recovery” as an area of importance to fix ahead of the Bledisloe Cup. (Photo by Jason McCawley/Getty Images)
Following the Wallabies’ dramatic 34-31 loss to Argentina, Jones labelled his side’s decision-making around the ball as “poor”.
Three times in the first half the Wallabies squandered possession as quickly as they got their hands on the ball.
On all three occasions when Allan Alaalatoa (breakdown steal), Carter Gordon (intercept) and Dave Porecki (loose pass) managed to grab hold of the ball near their own line, the support cover at the next ruck was too slow to react.
“What you just touched on is a cardinal sin,” McDermott said.
“Sixty per cent of the game is unstructured, so when we get those opportunities we’ve got to be excited by them. If we’re slow to react, slow to take advantage of that unstructured opportunity in attack, then we’re behind the eight-ball.”
It comes as no surprise therefore that the Wallabies have targeted the area as one they must improve ahead of their July 29 showdown with the All Blacks at the MCG.
“We’ve got a massive focus on our error recovery,” McDermott said.
“We’ve accepted and we’ve acknowledged that we’re going to make errors given we’re in a transition period where we’re trying to change how we play as Wallabies, so we’ve had a big focus on that.”
Tate McDermott says he’s confident the Wallabies are on the right track. (Photo by Timothy Rogers/Getty Images)
Since the Wallabies’ loss in Sydney, Jones has got on the front-foot and attempted to plant a seed of doubt inside Foster’s All Blacks.
Jones told the All Blacks to “look out” last Saturday, before doubling down on his belief the Wallabies could upset the rugby powerhouse by saying he “fancies ourselves against New Zealand” on Wednesday.
It’s a bold call given the contrasting nature with which the trans-Tasman rivals have started their season, with the All Blacks racing out of the blocks on both occasions to set up comprehensive victories.
Last weekend, the speed of the All Blacks’ recycle at the breakdown saw Aaron Smith help cut the Springboks to pieces.
McDermott, who said their mini four-day break between Tests had come at a “good time”, added shutting down the time and space the All Blacks have to call their shots was essential to getting their season back on track.
“You’ve just got to take away their time,” he said.
“You give someone like Richie [Mo’unga], Beauden Barrett, Will Jordan time to make the right decision, they’re going to make it 100 per cent of the time.
“Obviously, we’ve watched that game but the focus this week’s been a lot on what we need to improve on.”
Eddie Jones has got on the front-foot ahead of the Bledisloe Cup, warning the All Blacks to “look out”. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)
Asked whether they were confident they had the time to implement the change required, McDermott said he was buoyed by what he’d seen on the training paddock.
“We know that what we’ve done in the past hasn’t worked for us,” McDermott said.
“This new game model, there’s going to be growing pains and there’s going to be adjustments, but every week at training I’ve seen improvements in the areas that we need to mix it with the best.
“There is a short runway but everything we’re doing is to accelerate that process to make sure that we’re getting results that Australia can be proud of.”
Go you good thing
Roar Rookie
Vinivalu still in squad ? Surely not !
southcoastboy
Roar Rookie
There's not enough pace/speed in this team, full-stop. Forwards are slow to rucks to, hence the high turn-overs, backs are slow to support (and not generally quick in terms of pace) with only one standout winger fast and elusive enough to cause the opposition defence systems any problems. I would love to be proved wrong this Saturday, but with all of the above – and our odd obsession with kicking the ball back to the opposition as quickly as possible – I fear it's going to be a very long night...
Ozrugbynut
Roar Rookie
Anyone know of a detailed rugby database for a deep dive on Wallabies penalties?
Realrugby
Roar Rookie
Well said Tate. Intelligent comments from an intelligent person with a sharp rugby brain. It is a new system people and I'll say again aus supporters are half the problem because they're too impatient. Being educated takes time. I don't care if mother Theresa was coaching, making judgements after 2 games is pure stupidity. Give the guy time and the team. Then judge away. But you need about 10 more games before the evidence is in, it is possible he knows what he's doing and you who judge him Poorly know significantly less.
TJ-Go Force!
Roar Rookie
How we going after dropping Pete Samu?
WEST
Roar Guru
Tough family for sure :thumbup: honestly I don’t think it’s a big deal who’s from where, what they want to do.. Australia has had 7 players who are New Zealand born, Australian raised players. Quade Cooper, Lalakai Foketi, Noah Lolesio, Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Duncan Paia’aua, Lukhan Salakai-Loto, and Jordan Uelese moved to Australia as children. They were developed by the Australian rugby system. Marika Koroibete, Hunter Paisami, and Taniela Tupou were not developed primarily by Australian rugby. Koroibete is eligible despite having played for Fiji at the Rugby League World Cup. Paisami was born in Samoa and raised in New Zealand. He moved to Australia at the age of 17.. What happens in the South Pacific, migrate around :thumbup: I don’t have any issues with it.
Cec
Roar Rookie
Lomax was born & bred in Canberra and a St Eddie’s boy, same school as Gregan. I liked watching Lomax senior. Tough nut for the Raiders.
WEST
Roar Guru
Haha ya had your chance.. Lomax has evolved nicely, I think him and Ethan de Groot are our starting props.. Funny Lomax played a bit of league like his old man.. former Kiwi player John Lomax. But he spent a bit of time in NZ when he was growing up, guess he wanted to move back.. Negotiated a contract in 2017.. taken him awhile to get to where he is now. But he’s definitely one of the best in NZ.. glad he’s on our side :silly: EJ has had drama with the Wallabies before.. eight losses in nine Tests in 2005.. 3 loses to the Boks and twice to the ABs.. then lost to France, England and Wales. Also he didn’t trust the ARU, undermined by some members of his team support staff as well as influential figures in the ARU head office.. Hate to say it, but history has a funny way of repeating itself
Cec
Roar Rookie
Yes DRs teams, wherever he’s coached, have been about winning the contact areas. I think this is why we came ever so close to beating IRE & FRA on the last Spring Tour even with depleted teams. We saw those improvements to compete in 2021 against the Boks & ARG but 2022 was just injury riddled and DR couldn’t pick his preferred team.
Cec
Roar Rookie
Yeah I think you’re right there about hesitancy which Lordy commented on in the Roar podcast. Ed’s coaching style is about fear and that creates confusion, but his intent is to motivate. I remember this style of Ed’s in his Brums days and last WB gig which so many here seem to forget. Some WB fans here seem stuck on the past with Backs & “AUS running rugby” or whatever that really means as even our past successful teams had some damn good forwards. Agree WB are capable but where we get found out is when injuries occur as we don’t have that depth (Tupou, Bell etc). Can we please get Lomax & Ainsley back? :laughing:
Rolando
Roar Rookie
Yep, although I thought it was a focus for Rennie… back in the day.
WEST
Roar Guru
Exactly :thumbup: even a player like Dan Carter would be obsolete with a weak forward pack. The Wallabies are capable, just need to get the mind cleared.. think EJ has bombed them with to much strategy & information. They looked overwhelmed and hesitant, over coaching can make simple decision making complicated. Keep it simple, perform their core roles to their highest capabilities, and back themselves.
Cec
Roar Rookie
Results starts & ends with our scrum, line out and breakdown. WB need to win these areas.
Cec
Roar Rookie
We have not been able to find the next Smith or Pocock. Quick enough 7s that can win the space, slow opposing rucks and frequently pilfer.
Cec
Roar Rookie
WBs have dropped their willingness/ability to win the contact areas and space over the ball. Everything else flows from their with slower rucks and less time and space with the ball. Perhaps we can use a coach who understands the contest for the ball on the ground as defenders don’t have to go back 10m in this code.
Rolando
Roar Rookie
I think the implication here is that we need a 7 who’s quick to the breakdown who retains/assists retaining possession for the arriving 9 or whoever else. As a minimum they need to prevent opposition ‘steals’ (Laurie Fisher calls it ‘making a mess of the ruck/breakdown) or at an absolute absolute minimum slows down the first opposition arrivals. We didn’t have that against the Argies. Hopefully Hooper is back next weekend. However it might be a chance to look at Kemeny or Wilkins as the next in line. McR just not up to this level just yet in physical power or know-how. Maybe by RWC27 for him. Maybe Leota could add something here as well as second to the ruck/breakdown?
Phantom Agent
Roar Rookie
I think there is something that’s not being talked about when the Wallabies get steamrollered by the All Blacks - and its Fashion. The All Blacks have the best outfits in Rugby and anyone who works in fashion knows that black is always cool. But the Wallabies outfits – they say it’s Green and Gold but is it really? No! It’s not Gold – it’s Hi Vis Orange and that is never ever cool. So what team takes the field feeling good about their outfits? Not the Wallabies! The aura of the all black out fit wins over the aura of the orange every time and must be worth 10 points. In top level sport the mind is so important. This might seem like a frivolous thing to explore but their outfits also impact on the game in another way – especially in New Zealand. If the weather is a bit murky (hello South Island) and there is an All Black coming towards you, he has 10,000 supporters dressed in black behind him and it can be hard to see what he is doing. Bit of mud and claret in the eyes and where are they? Another missed tackle! Whereas the Wallabies in their silly Hi Vis Orange outfits with 10,000 people in black standing behind are absolute sitting duck targets to be belted – you can’t miss them! I think that is worth another 10 points. If the team swapped jerseys BEFORE the game the results would be very different.
Freddo
Roar Rookie
True, you have Roarers have been known to offer loads of wit, insight, charm and some grumpy misspelt words too.. We're the Tom Wright of commentary: rocks & diamonds
Wizz
Roar Rookie
Possibly just following orders but either way hasn't played well ..nobody can be a koala bear or we are stuffed.
John Ferguson
Expert
Great presser, recommend all and everyone to watch it. Angus Bell and Marky Nawaqanitawase spoke well as well. I think the youth of the team are really keen to turn a corner and despite not all (Marky mark) being sold o the low possession game, they are the ones with the mould-ability and raw talent to implement it. "Error recovery" is a great term and will use moving forward, cheers Tate. I think when you a trying to learn a new system, so muhc brain power is going towards implementing something which usually is muscle memory, that is where that split second of reaction is going. Hopefully with two more weeks in the system, their brains can turn to more "unstructured" parts.