Non le fiasco des Wallabies n’a pas découragé la prochaine génération
Les doutes concernant l’impact dévastateur de la débâcle de l’Australie à la Coupe du Monde de Rugby 2023 en France sur les espoirs des jeunes joueurs ont été vigoureusement balayés par Matt Faessler, talonneur des Wallabies.
Dans une rencontre avec la presse lors de la reprise des Reds, il revient sur une première expérience sous le maillot vert et or marquée par un début plein d’enthousiasme qui a rapidement tourné au fiasco.
Des figures emblématiques telles que Michael Hooper et Quade Cooper avaient été écartées au profit d’une équipe de jeunes joueurs, une décision qui avait suscité des inquiétudes quant à l’avenir des Wallabies, mais que le sélectionneur Eddie Jones avait toujours assumé.
Une première dans l’histoire
La campagne décevante des Wallabies, éliminés pour la première fois de l’histoire lors de la phase de poules de la Coupe du Monde de Rugby, a entraîné des remaniements significatifs au sein de Rugby Australia.
Le départ rapide d’Eddie Jones, entraîneur depuis moins de 12 mois sur un mandat de cinq ans, a ouvert une période de transition, avec des changements majeurs parmi les dirigeants et le staff.
Après un Rugby Championship sans victoire, le président de Rugby Australia Hamish McLennan avait été démis de ses fonctions, Daniel Herbert reprenait le flambeau et Peter Horne fut désigné comme nouveau directeur de la haute performance.
Tout est désormais en place, sous la baguette de Phil Waugh, directeur général de la fédération, pour trouver le meilleur successeur possible à Eddie Jones.
Prendre le contrôle et avancer
Cependant, Matt Faessler, malgré sa jeune carrière avec seulement 27 matchs de Super Rugby et cinq premières sélections internationales obtenues en 2023 (dont trois défaites et un nul), affirme que lui et ses coéquipiers demeurent résolus et déterminés à tirer des leçons des échecs passés pour bâtir une nouvelle ère pour l’équipe nationale.
« Je pense que ça a été l’étincelle et que ça a remotivé tout le monde pour qu’ils sachent quel est le niveau et ce qu’ils doivent faire », affirme le joueur de 25 ans.
« Les résultats de l’année dernière ont définitivement allumé un feu en moi et chez certains des autres gars avec qui j’ai parlé sur la façon dont nous voulons avancer et en quelque sorte prendre le contrôle de la situation.
« Je ne pense pas que cela ait découragé qui que ce soit. Au contraire. Le simple fait de s’inspirer de l’expérience de gars qui ont joué plus de 50 tests, comme Will Skelton et Richie Arnold, qui ont joué en Europe, m’a été très bénéfique lors de la Coupe du monde.
« Si vous voulez être technique, le simple fait d’apprendre à quel point il est important pour le pilier et le talonneur de travailler ensemble contre les énormes têtes de pont du rugby international a été une véritable source d’apprentissage. »
Le joueur des Reds du Queensland exprime sa volonté de se concentrer sur l’avenir, tout en reconnaissant l’impact formateur de cette expérience difficile.
« Je suis très heureux d’avoir été exposé et reconnaissant de l’opportunité qui m’a été offerte. J’ai appris beaucoup de leçons difficiles et je peux ramener beaucoup de choses au Queensland.
« Mais je me concentre surtout sur cette année, sur ce que nous pouvons construire dans le Queensland. »
D’abord, s’imposer chez les Reds
Matt Faessler reste optimiste quant à l’avenir des Wallabies et se concentre sur sa contribution potentielle dans la reconstruction de l’équipe.
Bien qu’il ait acquis une expérience précieuse au plus haut niveau, il évite de dicter les qualités nécessaires au renouveau de l’équipe, se décrivant modestement comme le « petit nouveau » prêt à saisir chaque opportunité.
Pour asseoir sa place chez les Wallabies, Faessler doit d’abord se réaffirmer dans l’équipe des Reds, travaillant sous la direction du nouvel entraîneur Les Kiss.
Ce dernier souligne le parcours unique de Faessler, qui est passé par les clubs plutôt que par le système académique traditionnel, ce qui apporte une perspective et une appréciation distinctes à sa contribution.
Malgré l’incertitude quant à sa place parmi les Reds, Faessler, avec sa persévérance et son dévouement, incarne une lueur d’espoir pour une équipe en pleine transition, prête à se reconstruire et à saisir les opportunités pour évoluer dans ce nouvel environnement.
Une nouvelle saison du Super Rugby Pacific se profile et le premier match de 2024 aura lieu dans un mois contre la Western Force à Ballymore le 3 février.
Comments on RugbyPass
2024 Rugby Championship: Sat, 10 Aug 2024 – Sat, 28 Sept 2024. Looking forward to watching the All Blacks coached by Scott Robertson, with or without the ‘dynamic’ qualities of Shannon Michael Frizell - see his display against South Africa at Go Media Mount Smart Stadium on July 15.
1 Go to commentsI agree about 8 being too many The English premiership has top four only Top 14 has six URC has 8 I think 6 would be fine It gives those other two teams an incentive But rewarding a team in perhaps 8th with three wins is atrocious If they get in they know they only need one big game
7 Go to commentsInteresting article. I think the answer lies in a comment Kwagga Smith made during the World Cup. Asked whether it bothers him that the Bok team doesn’t get more credit he said: “We don’t play for people to respect us: we play for each other and we play for South Africa.” The Springbok team is a brotherhood - an incredibly tight unit, most of whom are good friends off the pitch as well. Not only do they not want to let South Africa down, but they fight like crazy not to let their teammates down. Not saying they don’t care about their club teammates, but I think the bond shared in the Boks is just much, much deeper. Tough to forge the same sort of bond at a club over a handful of years. That must translate into superior performances for country over club.
27 Go to commentsThere is very little creativity in the 9-10 axis for SA. 10 needs to be solid, put the work in and kick the points. the SA counter is almost always via the edge or a kick through for a winger. When was the last offensive backline score from SA against a top team? Perhaps the ultra physical nature of the SA teams means players they get to hit more stats in those games. Maybe the SA pleyers are perfectly suited to the SA system. In other Words they are not club players gathered to play SA Internationals. They are SA International players adapting to play club.
27 Go to commentsJust what you want your prop doing 😂
1 Go to commentsEveryone needs to have a bit of ball player in them Nick and second phase but forwards and backs are still different coz of where you stick your head most of the time. Pocock and tizzano were 12s right up to the edge of seniors. Pocock was 12 to quades 10 then pocock was at the force At 17 year’s old or so. Hamish Stewart was apparently was a junior 7. Don’t know when he switched but apparently he was crons 10 in the Oz 20s. A mistake too often made is playing a guy like taquele nairavuro at wing instead of as a power 8. On rugby tours we often had a spare 7 playing crash 12 coz the regular 12 stayed home. Often had a spare 7 playing on a wing too.
2 Go to commentsyikes - what a load of crap Gallan. Interesting until after your 1st paragraph, but then again not worth anyone’s time responding to such pointless analysis and of course your dumbass opinions.
27 Go to commentsOutside of their national camp, club teams seem to take a tighter stance on doping. Think that explains it really.
27 Go to commentsThanks Nick Ive always thought that there should be a few more innovative attempts at players moving from backs to forwards and vice versa. Samu was one, as was Jim Williams last century. Cole certainly could run like a back, as can Lonergan from the Brumbies. I think that it’s going to become hard again for hookers though as front rowers seem to be getting bigger and bigger, and the guys have to look after their spines as well as (in Australia) their achilles! I always thought that Folau should have been tried in the lineout…. I think the same for Vunavalu…if he lasts any longer. Movement between positions is much more common in League, mainly because the size requirements between backs and forwards are not as pronounced. Hookers and halfbacks interchanging and second rowers and centres as well. The great Cameron Smith was effectively a hybrid hooker/halfback, being able to play both positions…sometimes it seemed simultaneously! For now, it seems like McReith and before him Hooper are the standouts, though Cale could be anything. John Eals did a few “back” type things mind you, including running and kicking. As for Jones, I don't credit him as anything (in an Australian context) other than a speaker of a million throw away lines, with the occasional one being picked up! Sorry
2 Go to commentsHe's Big in Japan
2 Go to comments“England are set to lose some of their best ever players at the end of the season with the mass departure to France”… Really? Best ever? What a joke of an opening line. The england players leaving for France are… Sinckler, Ludlum, Tuilagi… that’s the list of players England are losing at the end of this season to France. All 3 are fringe players at best these days. Manu is the only one you could fathom debating being one of “their best ever players” and even that debate would be shut down pretty quickly. Pathetic excuse for journalism this. Not grounded in reality.
2 Go to commentsYep. The insanity of the decision of trying to outspend RL for outside backs just looks more and more stupid as time goes on and talented players either bully us into paying overs to keep them (Jorgensen) or simply leave as Uncle Nick comes calling (Nawaqanitawase).
20 Go to commentsInteresting that you pick Amatosero, John. I would agree with your choice. He could well be capped this year at some point. At only 21 years of age, he has a lot of experience at a high level from his time at Clermont. I’m surprised he did not remain there for longer, as last year he was really starting to move, with 14 games, six starts, well up from the previous year, 7 games, only 2 starts. Have liked what is doing with the Waratahs this year. Not an easy situation for any player there, with the poor results.
3 Go to commentsNed me old shinwah, it’s probably not a bad idea to learn how to spell the last names of great All Blacks wingers. (Otherwise we will demean our memories of Grant Bitty, Jonah Lima, Joe Rococo and Doug Howler.)
4 Go to commentsNo longer able to except the excuses offered up for Rob. The red jersey has lost it’s mana and become a joke. I do not wish Mr Penny any wrong but it is time to go. Do the right thing Rob and retire, PLEASE.
31 Go to commentsIt is a travesty that 8/12 teams play in the finals, and that 4 wins out of 14 might be enough to get you there, but every competition has this to some degree. If it was only the top 4 going through, then this season would have been over for 6 of the teams 4 weeks ago. Super Rugby is simply a feeder competition for the All Blacks and Wallabies. There are low stakes and no consequences because so few people care who wins Super Rugby. In football, winning the Champions League is the pinnacle for any player or fan. The fate of national teams in the world cup or Euros is a complete second fiddle to The Premier League, La Liga, Serie A, Ligue 1, Bundelsliga etc… Same with the NBA, NFL, NHL, MLB. Players and fans care deeply about their team winning NBA title, but don’t care at all about USA winning gold at the Olympics. Or more locally with Rugby League, the Hierarchy is probably NRL > State of Origin > International. For some maybe State of Origin is the top. Super Rugby is low consequence and low stakes because no one cares enough about the outcome. Players ultimately want to play for the ABs, not the Hurricanes or Blues. Casual fans aren’t talking about SR selections but everyone has an opinion on Sam Cane or Ian Foster. Super Rugby is a means to an end. The only context it has is how it effects who is selected for the ABs.
7 Go to commentsPlayoffs featuring 4 or 6 teams would mean the other teams playing meaningless games for longer and a further drop of interest in Australia. But yes a 12 team competition with 8 teams making finals is ridiculous.
7 Go to commentsJoe's picks will be more interesting than Razors. The dumping of Dave Rennie for Jones has to be one of the worst exec decisions of all time. Joe and Dave have similar styles and personalities, the players should like that. Predicting some success for Aus this year. Well more than last year!
3 Go to commentsHey Ben, Thanks for your opinion article. As a die hard rugby tragic and loyal supporter of the game can I say your article seems a touch negative so I would like to offer a slightly different spin on it. I am assuming that the sole purpose of the Super Rugby competition is not just to be a training camp for the International teams but an independent event and competition in its own right with sponsors, media companies and teams that need a financial return. Now, from this rugby fans perspective, I am enjoying the last few weeks of the competition and enjoying the fact that most teams can still make the play offs and nobody wants the wooden spoon. Most rugby followers would agree to it being a travesty if the Crusaders or the Waratahs now made it to the final but history tells us it is very unlikely with the importance of home ground advantage. Playing each team once and a four team final would give the competition integrity and a level playing field for all teams but I would be surprised if it could satisfy the financial demands of the TV rights. Maybe a six team finals series might be a possible compromise.
7 Go to commentsAll good choices John, even the Tah players ha ha. Others that might be worth a look would be ; Cale, Tom Lynagh, Uru, Keunzle, Anstee and maybe Rory Scott because we need a backup to McReight and he has improved a lot from last year and Tim Ryan.
3 Go to comments