Roar Guru
Joined August 2011
122k
Views
41
Published
191
Comments
Published
Comments
Saturday 24 November 2018. Australia v England. The only Wallaby Test I’d ever attended knowing Australia couldn’t win before the match even started.
You are faced with a typically large bodied Springbok pack, desperate for a win.
The All Blacks have deservedly won the last two Rugby World Cups. They are generally acknowledged as being the best team in modern sport.
One red card, three yellows and a Disciplinary Review of Michael Cheika’s off-field behaviour. All in 160 minutes of rugby.
Never before has a decision split Australian rugby so tragically.
Sitting through the opening Bledisloe Test was as sickening and uncomfortable a sporting experience as I can remember.
A few months ago I dared to suggest that the Lions may win the series against the All Blacks in New Zealand.
Though everyone should be talking about a dominant win against the Maori, Warren Gatland’s selection shockers have overshadowed a solid Lions’ performance.
He may well bristle at the suggestion of a one dimensional ‘Warren Ball’ approach but he deserves much of the criticism.
Too many Kiwis seem to be basking in the downfall of Australian and South African rugby.
Owen Farrell may not be the best player in the world, but he is close to it.
Are elite private schools and clubs in Australia at the centre of rugby’s problem?
Perhaps the strongest British Lions team of all time is assembling to take on the All Blacks- – and they should be the favourites to win.
Super Rugby suffers from ridiculous travel requirements, maddening scheduling and mystifying fixture lists. How does scrapping a side in Australia or in South Africa fix any of those fundamental problems?
There is no doubt that, thanks to the current World Rugby eligibility laws, New Zealand is the primary beneficiary of Pacific Island player drain.
It’s too easy for Kiwis to dismiss the latest Bledisloe refereeing controversy as just another example of Wallaby whinging.
In the dark hours after Ewen McKenzie’s assassination the identity of his successor was already crystal clear.
If ever there was a bold selection, the Wallabies side named on Wednesday 15 June 2016 is one.
Can’t agree with that Locky.
Yes McMahon may have left due to Hooper and Pocock.
But the vast majority have headed overseas for the money.
It's trendy to just blame Cheika, but you'd be wrong
JezNez
I understand and agree with your point that no single person owns the Wallaby job.
However there are no other good options. I am not a fan of the Jake White proposal as it will be just about the RWC yet we will be forced to hand White a 2-4 year contact and in my opinion be in the exact same place with an egotistical coach in 2 years time.
It's trendy to just blame Cheika, but you'd be wrong
Bobby
No doubt Cheika is very powerful and the buck stops with him.
BUT I can’t believe that Cheika is telling Larkham categorically he can’t pick a big 12 etc.
Also, I watching the Wallabies, the back line moves have Larkham/ 2000 Brumbies all over them- over elaborate, cute nonsense. Again, I can’t see Cheika directing that.
It's trendy to just blame Cheika, but you'd be wrong
Waxhead
Point taken but as I said in the article, Larkham should have resigned rather than pick Foley at 12.
Also, Ledesma leaves and suddenly our set piece disintegrates…
It's trendy to just blame Cheika, but you'd be wrong
Sheek
Thank you (I think!).
With regards to insights I tried to set out the massive failures by Eales & Co regarding free to air tv, Sanzaar and school boy structures. I didn’t go into a lot of detail as that would require an article twice as long touching on central player contracting amongst others…
For what it is worth though, I think the lack of rugby on free to air TV is the single biggest issue afflicting rugby- it’s where participation starts and participation is where everything else starts.
It's trendy to just blame Cheika, but you'd be wrong
Interesting article.
A lot of people have leapt to blame Cheika and it’s right that he should accept responsibility as head coach. But Steve Larkham has escaped criticism that to my mind he should be copping.
I was at the Twickenham game and even casual rugby supporters around me commented on how the Wallaby backs were running sideways and overcomplicating.
Hodge or Kerevi at 12 would definitely straighten the line but Foley sits so deep.
Know I’ll get hammered for saying it but I’d like to see
9. Gordon (Genia last 30)
10. Cooper
11. Naivalu
12. Toomua
13. Kerevi
14. DHP
15. Folau
Genia, Beale, Hodge on bench.
Also think the backline is hampered by no go forward in the pack- Hooper was like a rag doll against England. We need to take regency action to allow Skelton and McMahon to play at RWC (big Willy is playing well at Saracens).
1. Sio
2. Paenga
3. Slipper
4. Coleman
5. Rodda
6. McMahon
7. Pocock
8. Naisarani
TPN, Ainsley, Thor, Skelton, Hooper
A Wallaby backline to consider
The Immortals are so revered because the club is exclusive. I don’t think it was right to announce 5 players in one night. It cheapened the concept.
There were better ways to manage the pre-war imbalance. For example, have a special night this year to announce the 3 players from 1900-1945. Then wait a couple of years to announce Proven and Meninga.
The big plus is that they got the 5 players right.
Would be good to see Ken Irvine, Lockyer, Thurston, Smith and Slater announced in that order over the next 10–15 years. Aside from those 5, I don’t think anyone else who has played is up to the standard.
The big SCG night, when two new Immortals became five
Jacko
It is not that the referees aren’t applying the rules correctly (although there are in fact cases of that), it is more that the rules are bad. The game is changing because of rules that sanitise it.
I can’t see how any observer can seriously argue that Rugby is in good shape. The stadiums are empty for Super Rugby, television audiences are down and participation is shrinking.
I am merely trying to sound the alarm.
The demise of rugby union
ron49
I’m not sure you actually grasped the article.
The referees are applying the laws but the laws are bad.
In fact, the laws are awful and they are driving people away from the game.
The demise of rugby union
Lacks the impact needed for a 13? Kerri on some and FIT has a bigger impact than any other 13 I can think of.
He was so obviously under done. Lead legs and blowing immediately. He hadn’t played for 4-6 weeks and then was picked to start in a Bledisloe. Ridiculous.
(a) shows that Cheka had no appreciation of his match fitness and (b) indicates that the Wallabies coaching staff have a fitness regime that is not fit for purpose, but they think it is. Taping up mouths and running up hills obviously was highly effective for Kerevi.
Ineptitude.
And another thing, how on earth is Hanigan in there again. He is a light weight Epsom without the ball carrying skills, defensive impact or rugby nous.
Wallabies stick with similar team for Bledisloe 2
Once Pocock is back, I would quite like to see a back row of:
6. Hooper 7. Pocock 8. Higginbotham
Higgers provides a line out option and carries well. Hooper has outstanding defensive and ball carrying ability. Pocock by far our best over the ball (Liam Gill is his logical successor). With that 3, you could also have Timani coming off the bench and it gives plenty of options/ versatility. I’d be tempted to squeeze Hardwick onto the bench too.
Cheika seems to have given up on Higgers which is unfair as he hasn’t had nearly the opportunities others have had. It isn’t as if we have a glut of good No.8s right now either. Playing McMahon at 8 on Saturday was a horrendous decision especially given that he could’ve played 6 instead of Hanigan.
A back-row must be more than the sum of its parts
Waxhead
It appears you are in the minority.
I think it defies logic to suggest that a defensive coach can stay on in his position after that performance (putting aside the Scotland fiasco).
You will also see that I haven’t called for Cheika to be replaced by White. I have suggested that Cheika needs a strong voice (a White, Henry or Jones down the track) that will force him to justify selections and tactical approach.
Cheika has now had 3 years and the performances are getting worse. There is no sign of improvement. Yes, the cattle may not be capable of beating the ABs. But they are capable of not missing 20 tackles in 20 minutes and conceding 40 points in a half. Period.
Time's up for the Cheika dictatorship
It’s got beyond that mate. 3nil at home against England. Poor away form last year. Loss against Scotland. Scraping home against Italy. And last night…
The only head I’ve called for is Nathan Grey’s. H can’t possibly continue with any authority on defence.
As you’ll see from the article, I’ve called for Cheika to agree to a ‘performance director’ or similar. A Jake White, Graham Henry type of guy that can challenge Cheika at selection and team tactics time.
Time's up for the Cheika dictatorship
Sam
Your interpretation is spot on. I would be funny if it wasn’t so serious.
When Cheika came in I was hopeful that he was a straight talker. He spoke and continues to speak about form, accountability for performances etc.
But he doesn’t back that up. And the post match presser last night was just too much. Same old stuff and no real honesty. Worse, it appeared that either (a) they didn’t think it was that bad a performance or (b) they had no idea how to put it right.
Time's up for the Cheika dictatorship
RM
Agree mostly. I’m sure we will be told by the usual suspects that Pocock isn’t around. But by making Hooper captain, Cheika has effectively limited competition for 7 at the end of the year when Pocock returns. Hooper has a huge heart and is a great player but he is a super sub or squad 7.
As a side, I wrote this article and then paused before pressing the button, wondering if it was too harsh. Were there positives? Was it really sickening?
Then Michael Lynagh appeared on the telecast in the UK with Sean Fitzpatrick. Lynagh, a usually pretty calm and measured commentator was what i would describe as ‘sickened’. He said that he “couldn’t over emphasise his disappointment”. It honestly looked like he’d seen a ghost. He was totally unimpressed with the ‘we won the 2nd half’ nonsense trotted out too.
Time's up for the Cheika dictatorship
John
I think you hit the nail on the head there.
In the very first minute the All Blacks simply went through us. They made easy yards through hesitant defenders. They off loaded. There were no surprises but the Wallabies just seemed totally unprepared.
The ‘new’ defensive system excuse trotted out at the end was laughable. It looked lots like the one the Tahs employed and, even if it did have some ‘new’ aspects, they had 4 weeks to practice them.
I’m sure Eddie Jones watched the Lions/ Gatland. When he tuned in and watched today he must have been scratching is head trying to figure out what on earth the Wallabies were doing. They learnt nothing from the Lions.
Time's up for the Cheika dictatorship
Cheika needs a boss he’s answerable to (a Jake White or Graham Henry type perhaps). Grey absolutely has to go, you can’t lose a home test series 3 nil against England, lose to Scotland, scrape home against Italy and then concede 55 points in a test in Sydney and not be answerable and accountable.
The selections are atrocious.
Moore has been a fantastic servant but totally off the pace. He was against Scotland and all through Super Rugby so why start him against the All Blacks!?
Hanigan is not even close to being ready for tests. He tried hard but that was the only positive for him.
The back row was totally unbalanced. We are stuck with Hooper at 7 now because of the captaincy (another mistake). But why start McMahon at 8?! Timani must start.
11/14/15 were hopeless. Folau is living on past reputation. He needs a benching and wake up call. In the meantime play Beale at 15 and bring Haylett-Petty onto the wing.
The only positive was the second row performance.
The usual suspects will be out in force saying it’s ‘Tah Bashing’ but the fact is so may of us saw last night coming and were called arm chair critics. Maybe so, but we were right.
Roar Forum: What changes should the Wallabies make for Bledisloe 2?
Objective?
Jake White needs to be on a plane yesterday to come and ask Cheika what the f*$k he thinks he’s doing.
We all knew before the game that Hanigan wasn’t up to it. We all knew that McMahon at 8 was out of position and Timani should start. We all knew Moore was on his last legs. We all questioned it but got called Tah bashers and arm chair critics.
There are no positives from that game. The All Blacks switched off out of boredom/ comedy value in the 2nd half.
All Blacks wallop the Wallabies because of course they did
John Eales. Hero to zero. Lost all respect for the guy.
All Blacks wallop the Wallabies because of course they did
What do people expect?
Cheika is totally unaccountable to anyone. Promotes Grey unbelievably. Selections are mystifying. An then that Michael Hooper interview…. OMG. Sickening. Michael Lynagh has just gone nuts in the UK on the telecast here.
And yet we will still be accused of ‘Tah bashing’.
Feel sick and appalled.
All Blacks wallop the Wallabies because of course they did
That’s total BS.
These players are supposedly the best we have. They should not be down 40-6 at half time in a homes test against anyone.
Cheik’s sections have been and continue to be totally mystifying. Totally unbalanced back row, chopping and changing, rushing Beale back. Selecting Grey to head up the Defence when his provincial record over the last 2 seasons is among the worst for defensive coaches/ systems.
The ARU decisions and the way they run the game will make it worse. But that doesn’t excuse this performance or explain why nobody is tackling!
Wallabies vs All Blacks: Bledisloe Cup Game 1 live scores, blog
Absolutely sickening. But most of us predicted it, just not as bad.
This is the outcome of Cheika not being accountable to anyone.
Jake White needs to come in to oversee. If Cheika doesn’t like it he should resign.
Full review of the back room staff. Grey needs to go immediately. Get on the phone to John Muggleton.
And the selection process needs changing. Cheika has far too much power and his selection strategy is mystifying and wrong, wrong, wrong.
Wallabies vs All Blacks: Bledisloe Cup Game 1 live scores, blog
Not about replacing him its about him being accountable. It is all on Cheika and his ridiculous decisions to promote Grey to head of defence and appalling selections.
Jake White needs to come in to oversee. A full review of the backroom staff. Grey gone instantly. And a selection board needs to come in that has the ability to challenge Cheika.
Wallabies vs All Blacks: Bledisloe Cup Game 1 live scores, blog
The worst thing is we are still going to have people trying to tell us all we are Tah bashing!
What coach of any Australian national side could get away with this.
The most appalling defensive performance I have ever seen from a Wallaby side.
And we all predicted it. Shocking selections and the promotion of Nathan Grey!
Wallabies vs All Blacks: Bledisloe Cup Game 1 live scores, blog
Smiggle Jiggle
I alluded to your comments re Waratahs players in my article.
It was a mistake to totally discard Quade as Foley became almost untouchable, especially as Toomua was at Leicester for so long.
I don’t think anyone can get their head around Hannigan. Great club player, ok provincial level, totally lost in tests. The Welsh and English forwards absolutely grilled him.
Also Latu. Brain snaps, can’t throw. All while BPA plays NRC.
It's trendy to just blame Cheika, but you'd be wrong