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Joined September 2019
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I think the article makes a good point in questioning where there is an attitude issue with the All Blacks. I think this has been an incorrect use of the word or an incorrect way of assessing the situation. I think a more accurate phrase would be “under estimating the prowess and enthusiasm of the opposition”, or “the approach was incorrect”. I would think any team of the calibre of the All Blacks with a high win ratio of matches must have the right attitude towards the game and opposition in every game. I think Hansen used the wrong words and what i think coaches and player ought to say is their judgement of which approach to use against the opposition was not as accurate as it should be. You can have the right and positive attitude playing Namibia, but can easily misjudge how good they are at disruption your approach to go wide with the ball early on.
Another issue that other writers fail to understand as they criticise the performance of the All Blacks. Wrongly or rightly, the All Blacks play the full 80 minutes that means it may not matter what happens in the first 20 or 30 minutes (of course you would like to be accurate right from the start (but that idea ignores the great effort of the opposition – in this case Namibia), so i think with all rugby teams the key thing is their overall 80 minute performance, because in the finals one does not really matter if you played poorly the first 20 minutes its what you do in the remainder of the game and whether you win the game or not. I think expecting the All Blacks to thrash a team the full 80 minutes is unrealistic as even the so-called minnow teams have improved over the years. Many fans and journalists talk about how you want closer games – well Namibia gave the All Blacks a close game in the first 30 minutes, You don’t actually need to criticise the All Blacks, by doing that we ignore the great performance of Namibia, sometimes the All Blacks can only play as well as they are allowed to.
All Blacks need to show up with the right attitude
The Wallabies did not win the game because Wales scored more points. That is a fact. Part of those points are arguably from a referee decision. Possibly 7 points from a player who looked offside. That is an opinion because he looked offside but may not have been. However, whatever the case this is still part of the points for Wales, which they may have not have had – had the referee looked at the replays. However, having said that – one can not actually say had those points not been given – the wallabies would have won. That is not logical – because at that point in time one can not tell how the rest of the game would have transpired. We just don’t know – Wales may have scored again, may have not. Whatever the case the events leading up to half-time would have been different – different situations, penalties, moves, etc would have been played. Thus, one would not know the end result. The only thing the Wallabies can do is to cut out their mistakes, they had a roll on in terms of territory and points in a lengthy period in the second half. I believe they actually had the opportunities to win the game but were hampered by their own drop balls, knock-ons, penalties and not protecting their ball. Imagine, if they had not taken the 3 points from a penalty when they were on attack and instead went for the try – had they scored that try they may have been up 4 points instead of 1 at that time, and who knows what would have happened then. Therefore, another game and it could have been a different result.
From what I saw Wales played a very predictable game and played to the ref, and did not have the critical errors that the Wallabies had. I actually thought the Wallabies had a more effective attacking game than Wales. Again, this is an opinion. That is why against them (Wales) ball in hand is the most effective way, don’t give them the ball and don’t let them kick. When they had no ball and the Wallabies kept it they opportunities to score. Wales are contenders to get to the Semis because they are most likely to face Argentina or France and have a record of beating those teams, beyond that is unknown territory – however, one cannot say with accuracy that they are contenders for the world cup or to get past the semis. They will be competitive within their limitations but they have never beaten the ABs, who they may meet in the Finals if they make it that far. In the semi-finals they most likely may meet Ireland (who have had more wins this year over Wales), Eng (which they will be confident in beating), or the SBs who they beat last year (but this year is a very different team). Thus, yes Wales have a shot at the semis – but I would say unlikely to past to the finals. It would be good for Wales to do one better than a quarters appearance but i cannot really see them getting past the semis. In my opinion, it will still come down to the teams that have won it in the past – the SBs, ABs, Eng or Australia. France has a better shot than Ireland or Wales because of history, (different team, different coach) yes but pride and attitude of knowing their team has made the final a few times. I reckon even with the so-called upsets it is most likely business as usual in terms of who will be in the semis and finals.
The Wallabies didn't lose because of Romain Poite, but World Rugby, we do have a problem
He was a member recently since 2019. Not sure why Rodney is not playing, he was certainly signed up to be part of the Olympics squad. Is this the best Australia side on offer? it probably is, I cant think of anyone else that could fit in a Sevens environment this year. It is a total different game to the 15s. Apart from Kerevi, Walsh picked the best he had. I think he needs to go back to the drawing board and work out what type of team he wants. All the top teams in the world: GB (Eng), NZ, Fiji, SAfrica, Argentina, USA have distinct players and styles. Australia unfortunately has been behind the 8-ball for some years now. I have really been watching the 7s rugby circuit since 2009 and Australia has never really been that good or that consistent. The women’s team on the other hand, are always a threat and Walsh did some really good work with them while he was their coach, he looked outside the box when he came to picking players. He needs to review the men’s team again after this Olympics and start rebuilding. He can’t rely on just a few good players like Longbottom, Malouf, and Pietsch. Hutchison needs space, he was a really good flyer when he first came on the scene. He is very ineffective now. What has happened to his speed? Walsh does not have to replace his whole team, but he needs to look at the balance of it. It is not right at the moment.
Fiji knock pointless Australia out of Rugby 7s, and Argentina stun South Africa