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The Wallabies loss to Fiji was owed to the islander’s ferocity and clinical execution at the ruck. But, let’s be clear, Wales is not Fiji and luckily for the Wallabies, Wayne Barnes isn’t Andrew Brace.
The Fijians played to Brace’s whistle far better than the Wallabies did, but there are things which Barnes won’t call that his international colleague was more than happy to penalise.
The Wallabies conceded five penalties for holding on at the ruck in the 30th, 36th, 57th, 60th, and 71st minutes of the game. This stat will not re-occur because Barnes will be officiating.
However, the Wallabies were clearly afraid or incapable of sticking their heads in the ruck to pilfer.
The only two Wallabies who won turnover ruck penalties were replacement inside centre Lalakai Foketi and utility Ben Donaldson.
That stat alone should make the backrow of Tom Hooper, Fraser McReight and Rob Valetini hang their heads in shame.
However, to the point, Barnes, wouldn’t have allowed Levani Botia’s steal in the 30th minute.
In the following clip are four pilfer penalties where the Wallabies were penalised for holding on.
The first two are instances where play should’ve continued or where the Fijian could’ve been penalised, the second two are perfectly fair steals.
As seen in the first clip, Botia has his hands on the ground ahead of the ball and when the Wallabies players hit him, he rakes it back.
The second clip shows the Fijian player get no lift on the ball and then is cleared off the ball just after he gets hands on it.
Barnes is known to allow the play to flow, and he won’t be as whistle happy as his colleague.
Barnes is much more concerned with seeing an actual lift and, if it occurs, he will usually allow the play to flow from the turnover.
The first four clips in the video show Barnes waiting to see a lift and he waits until either a subsequent error has been made or a breakdown in the contest to blow his whistle.
The fifth clip shows that Barnes will allow the play to flow once the pilfer is successful.
Finally, and, perhaps most crucially, the last clip in the sequence shows Tonga captain and ex-Chiefs player Ben Tameifuna attempting a jackal, his hands are on the ball, but he gets no lift and, therefore, despite arriving late, the clearers clean him out and Barnes awards no penalty.
This is also not to take away from Fiji’s dismantling of the Wallabies.
Simon Raiwalui tailored his team’s performance to its strengths which just happened to be the Wallabies’ weakness, the attacking breakdown.
The absence of Taniela Tupou and Will Skelton were fatal blows for a game which would be decided by power, and the Fijians won it without contest.
Despite Warren Gatland re-invigorating this Welsh side, they lack the bulk, size, and power of the Fijians, particularly in the tight-five.
The Wallabies are more than capable of outplaying and outmuscling the Dragon’s upfront even without their two biggest strike weapons.
Wayne Barnes’ desire to keep the game moving could help the Wallabies. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)
Wales’ young captain Jac Morgan is stoic but is a few steps behind the man called ‘The Bulldozer’ (Levani Botia).
The Wallabies should control the breakdown because even without their captain and the Tongan Thor, they’ll have a bigger pack than Wales.
Once this is sorted, the backs are well placed to power over their Welsh counterparts.
Nick Tompkins is not a Josua Tuisova and despite being a bigger man, neither is George North. That Welsh centre combination will find it difficult to get over the gain line.
The loss is simple to understand, the Wallabies lost the contact area, therefore they were stressed into conceding off-side penalties aplenty (4) and breakdown infringements when arriving at the ruck (4, not including holding on).
Forwards like Hooper, McReight and Richie Arnold went missing for much of the game in attack, while backs Samu Kerevi and Marika Koroibete were leaky in defence.
Some of Australia’s most talked about names and most talented youngsters were simply not good enough in a game where excellence was required.
While Angus Bell, Nick Frost and Mark Nawaqanitawase continued their impressive run of form, the engine room for the Wallabies was lacking effort, execution and grunt.
Summarised, the Wallabies were unable to adapt to the circumstances and change their ways during the game.
Even the likes of James Slipper, Kerevi and Koroibete were unable change the narrative with their experience.
Wales won’t be a physical prospect like Fiji was and that point cannot be understated in what it means for the Wallabies’ chances of success.
Barnes will officiate with an eye for flowing rugby, which will suit the Wallabies who will likely welcome back inform Tate McDermott as well as human wrecking ball Pone Fa’amausili. Both are crucial for the Wallabies chances of success.
From losing the wrecking balls to losing the plot when the heat came on, the Wallabies must lift for the do-or-die clash with Wales in Lyon on Monday 5am AEST, they must also play to tune of Wayne Barnes.
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.