Opinion
3 hours ago International Rugby ‘Australia are hitting a sweet spot of Test experience; it’s exciting to think where they could get to over the next 12 months’
With RWC 2027 just under a year away, Australia fans are daring to dream about what sort of shape their team might be in by then.
Brett McKay
05 Oct 2026, 11:01
I’m amazed Jorgo did not get man of the match. He was outstanding as usual in both attack and defence.
We are lacking in-contact punch in the forwards unfortunately and in defence, we still lack team cohesion when the ball goes wide.
FMR summed it up with his response, when asked what he prefers, “attack or defence”. We just do not look purposeful and we lack intensity in defence, and that is what will cost us matches against the top opposition. We had a brief period (just 1 test match actually) under Schmidt, where our boys showed deliberate heads up intensity in defence. Since there, it’s been “coffee with cream please” in defence intensity unfortunately with no one on their toes. It’s been this way for so long, I’m wondering if anyone in the coaching group is actually giving a stuff about it to be honest.
How about watch the AB’s and SA in defence to see the fierceness and focus they have, then look to replicate.
Or is that too much to ask….?
With you on this one. No visible difference since the Kiss regime, no line speed, no urgency, no sting. A massive work on if actually want to match it with the top 5 teams.
It would be good if our forwards would actually get into the ruck instead of leaving Tate to have to pretend he’s a ruck busting prop