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PARIS – Feeling free from the structured nature that rugby has moved in over the past two decades, Tate McDermott believes Australian rugby supporters are about to witness the fruits of Eddie Jones’ decision to strip back the Wallabies’ game plan in a way that will “shock a lot of teams” over the coming weeks.
What’s more, McDermott, speaking on the eve of the Wallabies’ final match before next month’s World Cup, believes Jones’ decision to rip up their game plan of years gone by and devise a strategy that plays to the strengths of their fresh and emerging talent will pay off in spades.
“The way we want to play suits me perfectly,” McDermott told reporters at the Stade de France, as the Wallabies wrapped up their preparations for Sunday’s (Monday, 1:45am AEST) Test against France.
“It’s kind of moving away from the structured nature of what we had the past three years, and it brings my strengths into the Test arena, which selflessly is perfect but it’s also suiting a lot of the other boys as well.
“We’ve got some brilliant ball-carriers and we’re testing teams now in an unfamiliar nature that we haven’t done before.”
Tate McDermott and Angus Bell represent the brave new era under Eddie Jones. (Photo by Joe Allison/Getty Images)
McDermott’s comments speak of the inner confidence building within the side despite the Wallabies’ struggles on the scoreboard this year.
From paying the price of kicking the leather off the ball with little accuracy nor a clear game plan in Pretoria to challenging and moving the All Blacks in Dunedin and running out to a 17-3 lead earlier this month, the Wallabies have resembled a team learning on the run and making small though important steps forward.
The question is whether they can make the necessary strides in time to make a big splash in next month’s World Cup.
Making it harder to get a true indication of the path the Wallabies are heading in under Jones is that it was only in March that the veteran coach proclaimed that “possession rugby is dead”.
Yet, in the space of two months and four Tests, it appears that Jones has changed his tune.
McDermott, too, says there has been a drastic change to how the Wallabies have played since slumping to their 43-12 loss in South Africa to arriving in France with a new group and fresh outlook.
Front and centre of that is the Wallabies’ new emphasis on the breakdown, which was exposed against Argentina and has been hammered home since the weeks leading into the Bledisloe series a month ago.
“A lot of that [the change in tactics] comes down to that we stripped it right back to the fundamentals of the game,” McDermott said.
“Everyone talks about that (the fundamentals), but for us a key fundamental is our breakdown.
“So, years gone by, we haven’t really touched on that a hell of a lot. But, particularly given how we want to play against teams, that breakdown is money for us.
“We’ve obviously got a focus on our catch-pass and our defence, and all that kind of stuff, but particularly on the attack side of things, [if] we take care of the ball and we play flat and fast, we’re going to shock a lot of teams.
“The trick for us is just getting the consistency right on that and not overplaying as well.”
(Photo by Joe Allison/Getty Images)
In many ways, McDermott’s rapid rise from a self-proclaimed “water boy” against France last October to Wallabies vice-captain represents the new way Jones is attempting to play.
Well before Jones took over the Wallabies top job, it’s understood the coach was asking questions about why McDermott wasn’t featuring prominently for the national team.
A heads-up player, the Reds livewire thrives off quick front-foot ball. The Wallabies now have another player who probes around the ruck in Issak Fines-Leleiwasa.
But the duo aren’t the only ones who thrive off quick ball, with McDermott saying Jones’ game plan suited the new-look Wallabies.
“Based off the personnel we’ve got now, guys like Angus Bell, Willie Skelton, Fraser McReight, Jordie Petaia, just that structured nature kind of takes away from their strengths a little bit,” McDermott said.
“When I say structured, it’s not necessarily not kicking, it’s not necessarily playing to a point, we’ll still be playing first phase very structurally, like most sides, but it’s off the back of that how we deal with slow ball, quick ball, how we can get over the advantage line and how we can put it in behind.
“It’s a lot to do with their reaction and those type of players, particularly when you take the shackles off, they play their best footy, and that’s what we’re starting to see from a couple of these fellas and, in fact, the whole squad.”
Carter Gordon and Tate McDermott have come from the clouds to be Eddie Jones’ halves combination on the eve of the World Cup. (Photo by Joe Allison/Getty Images)
McDermott said he was “buzzing” about taking on France at home, saying it was the “perfect” preparation for the Wallabies ahead of their World Cup opener against Georgia on September 9 at the same venue.
“It’s going to be a pretty special night tomorrow and our last dress rehearsal before the real dance, so what a perfect opportunity for this group to test ourselves against probably one of the best teams in the world in France,” McDermott said.
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.