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.”
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.”
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.”
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.
Dale
Roar Rookie
Have a sniff, but don’t bite mate! (you know what the headline writer was up to). The player was talking up the change of style more than performance.
Dale
Roar Rookie
Wizz
Roar Rookie
Been mentioned few times hasn't it ..can't control our own ball let's work on it now it's a revelation!!
Dale
Roar Rookie
Anyone have a link for this interview or the article? The framing here as ‘bullish’ seems a bit contrived to me, based on what is quoted above. Sounds like he’s talking about the ‘shock’ coming more from the change in playing style rather than the performance he expects them to put in. Could be wrong. Would like to read/watch the interview if anyone has a link.
whistleblower (retired)
Roar Rookie
“Everyone talks about that (the fundamentals), but for us a key fundamental is our breakdown. The team must have given away 100+penalties at the breakdown over the last few years; we can only hope that has been rectified. Hopefully they will have studied closely how France and Ireland function in that facet of the game; both those teams are better than us (obviously) but also better than SA and NZ. Those two northern hemisphere teams typically have a ruck speed of <3 seconds. “The way we want to play suits me perfectly,” McDermott told reporters
Loosehead
Roar Rookie
I don't think tasers are allowed on the field.
Just Nuisance
Roar Rookie
In some ways he has inadvertently highlighted the problems teams like Aus and England are now encountering as a result of late coaching appointments . Trying to play to a new game plan as admirable and adventurous it is , but at such short notice , new player personel , new coaching personel ...Its fundamentally impossible and will be exposed against those sides that have been singing from the same hymn sheet for 4 years ..Yes may surprise some teams but not I'm afraid others . But fair enough that he is positive and upbeat ..Cant fault that .
Bobby
Roar Rookie
Tate's comments are just stupid. Shut up ! Suck up to Eddie a bit more. Let's see how you go against the French and others before you talk it up !
Leroy14
Roar Rookie
I feel like what Aussie rugby lacks is negativity from the fans. If only more people trashed the wallabies they’d be stronger. Give yourself an upper cut. There are some real bummer comments on here. Just get behind your team will ya.
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
I’d say it is more like ‘received’ history Jez. Which is fine, as long as the receiving is from enough disparate sources to allow a temperate objectivity. Some articles have phrases that seem written by myopic sections of the crowd. QC cast as part of the recent WB ‘loser’ furniture for one. That pearler is still out there, uncorrected.
Cam Stokes
Roar Pro
I think the most galling part of this interview is the admission that the Wallabies haven't really focussed on the breakdown the last few years... excuse me?? I mean I think we all felt like this must have been the case, given out shortcomings at the breakdown and how frustrated we all were at our inability to maintain possession, but to hear it said out loud is flabergasting... how did we ever expect to win anything if we ignored one of the absolute fundamentals of the game?? Extraordinary admission...
jcr
Roar Rookie
To be fair the wallabies have already shocked a fair few fans... Saying that I actually rate his and Eddies approach , it may not work but what they used to do wasn't working so , go hard.
jeznez
Roar Guru
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. and Carter Gordon and Tate McDermott have come from the clouds to be Eddie Jones’ halves combination on the eve of the World Cup. Gordon sure, but Tate from the clouds? Not featuring as he racked up 20+ caps? He was very clearly one of Rennie's three halves. Feels like a lot of articles lately are tryingto revise history.
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
Well Eddie has shocked me already. So there’s that.
Loosey
Roar Rookie
But ‘who’ and ‘how’ are they going to ‘shock’ them? Is he talking about the QF, SF and Final?
Loosey
Roar Rookie
They have to learn the media are not their friends. Unless they’re winning.
Tooly
Roar Rookie
Wallaby young Gun ? Young Gunna ! He is always gunna do something . So far he hasn’t reached test class . Eddie must have picked him for his constant yapping . Eddie is a desperate man and a desperate man is easy to beat at anything . Confusion reigns ?
Rohan
Roar Rookie
Well there's some hope for optimism if we're now focussing on the breakdown and possession rather than punt and meander. Current breakdown rules seem to favour quicker ball and the attacking team. If our (now) bigger pack can achieve parity up front, and if we can keep recycling the pill, maybe we will pull off a shock - like getting out of our pool and into the QFs.
Passit2me
Roar Rookie
They can comment on their prep or anything else. These predictions have a big habit of bring us hard. Have we not learnt this yet?
Christy Doran
Editor
To be fair, he said he thinks they’re going to “shock a few teams”. He’s not exactly saying they’re going to win the World Cup …