Telling stats from an extraordinarily tedious match
England kicked away 93% of their possession
The ball was ion play for 31 minutes !!!!! AB v Argie = ball in play for 43 minutes

What a delightful piece.
Love the local colour and movement part.
The analysis of our poor, rather pathetic Wallabies resonates. I remarked to a very knowledgeable rugby colleague, highly placed in rugby circles, that Jones selection on the key player in any team – the quarter back/ five eighth was truly bizarre. He may have mentally scarred both Gordon and the poor hapless Donaldson for the rest of their careers.

Can I just refer to NRL for one moment. Rugby is a very long way behind RL on any number of levels. We are light years behind AFL.
In the case of League they attempted, a long time ago, to take the game to WA and SA. It was a monumental failure and they learnt rom it. There beach head in Melbourne was established decades before the Rebels and thus drew away expat Pasifika and Kiwis.
RA persists with the insane belief that both financially and in terms of talent they can sustain 5 teams, two of them in AFL dominated States.

Well said. I could not agree more. It is notable that the TMO’s are (for the most part) referees who have never reached the top echelon of refereeing or, like Jonker are well and truly retired from refereeing.
The game truly is at a crossroads not just in Australia (!!) but globally. The amount of time the ball is in play is laughable and represents a major turn off even for rusted on viewers.
I also agree that the so called 2nd tier countries generally get a rough deal from officials who are either over awed by the ‘big boys’ or, as has been suggested, suffering from unconscious bias that they are not as skilful or disciplined as the big boys.
Like Australian rugby, officiating needs a major overhaul.

Firstly a refreshingly fact based (mostly) appraisal. I might add that the most ‘winning’ coach of the Wallabies over the last 15 + years is Robbie Deans – also another fine example of the ARU sacking a good and competent man.
A few days ago the NSW U18 squad was announced. It contained 3 non private school kids. I posted on IG that this was indicative of the malaise afflicting Australian rugby. Half the 10 or so comments were pretty vitriolic attacks on me personally the other half were positive.
Australian rugby is as polarised as society generally.
There is an overwhelming need for a strong, grassroots revolution.

As happens in so many situations – corporate, government – one of the keys to the (hopeful) success of the Wallabies is culture. The reference to deep discussions about leadership decisions speaks to a deeper understanding than the previous one dimensional ‘Wallaby way’ of ball in hand regardless of the consequences.
Images of team sing songs and an openness around bringing in ‘never to play again’ players speaks to a thoughtful and intelligent attitude. The vibe seems harmonious.
One last point, I do wonder if the failure to perform against the AB’s comes down to head space. Nineteen years without the Bledisloe must have a powerful effect on the players psyche – your next challenge DR!

As the cliche goes ‘with all due respect to NZ Rugby ……’
Firstly they are talking up QC as a starter – bound to bring a few extra bongs through the gate and the 2nd Bledisloe Cup cannot be played at Wellington due to ………. A beer festival. Surely not incompatible?
The AB’s will be firm favourites but that doesn’t stop them playing whatever games they can to get an edge.
I am anxious as to who the referees will be for the 2 NZ games. I do hope (somehow) they are independent. The evidence of Kiwi and AUS refs for Super Rugby is not good.
As long as the game(s) are not as boring as the tedious Lions v Boks matches

I have been a regular critic/observer of the lack of basic skills in all of the Australian franchises in comparison to their Kiwi counterparts.
Specifically it beggars belief that Australian halfbacks and designated kickers (primarily 5/8’s) are so poor in their kicking out of hand (including box kicks. Even Nic White seems to have gone backwards in this department. Surely it is a matter of practice, or am I being naive?
Similarly it frustrates the hell out of me that, with very few exceptions, the chase by non lickers is so poor. Once again this is either poor coaching or lack of fitness or lack of commitment.
A final pet grievance. Half back passing. If Laurie Fisher, so experienced in the game, believes half a second makes all the difference then observe the almost universal penguin/crab approach of Australian half backs. Stand up, shuffle one or 2 steps sideways and then, more often than not, hurl it at the runners feet, over their head or behind them. When was the last time you saw any Australian half back consistently pass off the deck?
a basic skill, capable of practice – excpet if you are an elite Australian player.
Until these and other basic skills are improved Laurie’s half seconds won’t really make a difference.

One glaring aspect of all of the Australian teams is the appalling quality of the kicking out of hand. The box kicking rarely results in a contest and the chasing is woeful.
The ‘tactical’ kicks from the likes of O’Connor, Touma, Lolesio et al are mostly mis directed or give the appearance of panic kicks, again with woeful chasing.
Contrast most of the NZ half backs box kicking (Smith, Weber, Drummond, Hall and on and on). Similarly the kicking out of hand of the 5/8’s and others from NZ is almost always more effective.
Both of these skills can be coached.
Rugby AU – please explain?

The tattoo quota needs to be correct for a successful cross over!

Geoff
while the thrust of your piece is well made and having watched the match on TV I agree that the Rebels looked lost and leaderless – and unimaginative, the gratuitous observations about the Victorian Health minister are, in my view inappropriate for a rugby article. Leave politics for others to commentate on and stick to rugby.

What a truly beautiful albeit sad story. What it does tell us, among many things, is that rugby has a great capacity for long and meaningful and powerful relationships.
These pages are sometimes filled with a little vitriol but for the editor to feel able to open up on a subject so raw and recent to a bunch of rugby nuts tells you a great deal about our rugby community.

Very good piece thanks Geoff.
Sadly there are real parallels between rugby in Australia and, at least pre COVID-19 the Australian political landscape. One of the serious problems besetting rugby is the existence of multiple layers of rugby bureaucracy. We have the 2 supposed power houses of NSW and Qld whose on field contributions nowhere near match their potential – over decades. They bicker and squabble and, as demonstrated by some of the behaviour of the NSW chairman, run personal agendas.
The most successful province – the Brumbies, basically keep their heads down and get on with creating and perpetuating a highly successful and, for players, attractive culture and pathway.
The challenge for the incoming CEO is monumental. At least he or she will have what appears to be a smart chairman. As has been pointed out however McLennan suffers from his connection with Fox. Somehow he needs to demonstrate a level of independence and integrity.
Picone, as with other self appointed ‘players’ in this political minefield – ex captains are an example, has brutally exploited a vaccum, to the detriment of his clients and Australian rugby. Maybe had there been a new (permanent) CEO in place, exercising strong leadership, backed by a strong chair. This episode might have been averted.

Just as John Arlott and Richie Benaud are (in my opinion) the 2 finest cricket commentators of my time (dating myself) I have a very fond memory of the great Bill McLaren, he of the thick Borders accent.
He too managed that great skill of light and shade. He was one of those nowadays almost non existent examples of an impartial commentator. As you observe Spiro, one of the great skills is to say less rather than more. The current vogue of much meaningless comments ‘wooompa’ – what on earth is that about – adds nothing to my understanding of what is happening.
It is almost as if commentator are remunerated by either the volume of words they utter or the loudness of such utterances.
I am quite prepared to being characterised as an old f….. and I acknowledge that sport seems to have to market itself as ‘entertainment’ but the general lack of professionalism is very annoying.

As a rugby tragic …………. I have occasionally submitted short articles on topics such as the 1972 ANU Rugby Club world (and I do mean world) tour as an example of what grass roots rugby and touring as a rugby player can be like. Whether readers agreed or not the intention was to provide a light hearted story about a bunch of pretty ordinary rugby men.
I for one would welcome such anecdotes – not ‘how about the time old XYZ got p……….. and did whatever but rather real insights into the game.
Maybe some interviews with past players about memorable matches/experiences which may have been forgotten. I watched a replay of the 1998 test at the MCG v AB’s last night where Matt Burke scored something like 24 points! It would be good to hear from someone articulate such as him.
Just random thoughts

Geoff
an insightful and useful piece. It is hardly surprising that the News Corp stable of journalists are at the front of the queue in trashing rugby in this country. There should be a disclosure of interest at the commencement of each article given the current state of play over media rights.
It is indeed galling and very frustrating that the fact of our Under 20’s winning the Junior RWC basically passed unnoticed and certainly largely ignore by main stream media.
You could adopt a similar view about the relative success – on a truly global platform of our men’s and women’s 7 a side. It is debatable whether, in the case of the U 20’s for example, RA should have made more of an effort to celebrate that success and secure some more media coverage. Maybe they did – but even The Roar didn’t really get too excited about it.
Sadly I don’t have many answers but shrinking the game to a domestic one is not the answer. One of the truly great appeals of rugby – 7’s and 15’s is that it is a genuinely world game.
As an aside – you do have to wonder though when RA appoints Paul McLean as acting chair. Whatever his qualities he is representative of another era. I would have preferred the RA Board to make more of a statement by appointing someone from a different demographic. I know they are restricted because they have to draw from the current board but it does send a poor message.

At the moment there is a very unfortunate convergence of issues confronting SR in Australia.
1. the post RWC exodus of (mostly) quality and experienced players (wouldn’t the Tahs love to have Kepu back and the Brumbies Arnold , as but 2 examples). The fact is though Australia is not alone – just look across the ditch.
2. The debacle of the re-build of the SFS is hurting the Tahs badly. Sydney sports fans are a fickle lot. Tell the rugby community firmly ensconced in the northern and eastern suburbs that they have to go to a) Newcastle, b) Wollongong, c) Brookvale, d) Parramatta – good luck. Taking it to the bush (Tamworth) actually makes more sense but is financially diabolical
3. One of the 2 major print media organisations trashing the code and RA in a blatant act of self interest and Fox sacking the only (aside from Greg Clark) credible and sensible commentator in Nick McArdle and keeping the ‘incompetent ‘good old boys’ in their comfortable chairs.
4. A ridiculously early start to the season which crosses over with cricket, et al.
Kiwi friends of mine are desperate for both the Australian SR teams and the Wallabies to be competitive. They are losing patience.
A controversial observation, but Raelene Castle seems to me to be doing a good job in amidst all of this. Her board is happily about to undergo significant change – not before time.
There is hope

I happened to be one one of the 7000 odd at the game.
There was a very clear lack of energy and commitment from the pack. Asidee from Michael Hooper it was hard to identify any real impetus, either in defence or attack from the Tah pack. The older ‘leaders’ such as Simmons and Dempsey went missing. The backs functioned moderately well although Beale’s kicking out of hand was woeful. Too deep almost every time and so no contested ball. The ability of NZ teams generally to counter attack from broken play is a given. If you kick in general play you MUST make it count.
I don’t perceive Rob Penney to be an old style coach who is likely to go on a rant but the lack of interest/commitment is very bad.
I too was screaming from the comfort of the stand for Simmons to take the penalty shot, as were most of the crowd around me. It was not as if, even at that stage, the Tah pack was setting the world alight. Poor decision making which cannot all have been Simmons call.
There is a long way to go for this squad and the senior players (Hooper excepted) really need to step up.

Just to add a little fuel to the fire ……….. I wonder what the reaction of the RWC heavies would have been if the cancelled matches were to be between 2 tier 1 countries – just wondering. No change of venue/date?

Thanks Spiro.
Like many other Roarers I am not a Cheika fan. I totally agree with Stirling Mortlock as to Australia being one dimensional. I think was is also apparent is that there is a chronic lack of on field smarts in the Wallabies.
One of the great qualities of the AB’s is their ability to make changes to the style they are playing on the paddock. I am sure that, in part, this is because Hansen is not a precsriptive ‘my way or the highway’ coach like Cheika and actively encourages and empowers his players to adjust game plans on the run.
Hooper is a poor captain but I am sure Cheika’s over bearing persona;lity and style is the main reason Hooper is so poor, along with the fear of copping a spray from Cheika.

At the risk of being pedantic, I think you will find that Jock Hobbs (refer piece on David Kirk) was a flanker not a half back. Only in NZ but the late Jock Hobbs sister is married to Robbie Deans.
Kirk has become a very successful businessman and now lives in Sydney

For the record the much maligned Robbie Deans coaching success puts him ahead of Eddie Jones, Ewen McKenzie, Cheika and Templeman. Bear in mind he ended up taking away and almost 3rd string Wallaby team on the Spring tour to the UK as a result of a massive injury count.

Nostalgic but nevertheless a great read. I was on a family holiday on the mid North Coast, the night of the QF. When Gordon Hamilton scored that try I punched the exposed brick wall in the lounge room and opened up several knuckles!
I confess to be of an ‘older’ generation but it seems to me that some past of the current malaise of Australian rugby has to do, ironically, with the influence of professional rugby. Despite some of the rhetoric it often seems to me that for some of our Wallaby team members a test match is just another game, another $12K match payment, and life just rolls on.
It is, like the Sheek, becoming very hard to feel inspired or proud of our national team. The boorish antics of the coach set a dreadful role mode.

well what do you know!

As ever Nicholas a good read.
A couple of points.
1. I may be wring but little attention is paid to the contribution of Laurie Fisher to the Brumbies set up. By all accounts he is the intellect behind the coaching aspects of the Brumbies. Pocock for one is glowing in his praise.
2. While on coaches and coaching style, I return to a long running theme of mine, namely the measured, and calm approach of Messrs McKellar, Wessels, and Thorn. Contrast this with the hysterics and histrionics of our national coach
3. There is a real test of RA and their new selectors looming. As many have remarked will Cheika get his way and persist with the good old boys or follow form.
For my part I am very pessimistic about our prospects at RWC. I have advocated sacking Cheika for 12 months on the basis that we have nothing to lose. Clearly that will not happen. Nevertheless, be adventurous, innovative and bold (!!!!) and follow form