Analysis: Why the Wallabies need to play Kurtley Beale at 12 against England
What a difference a few months can make.
England’s 3-0 whitewash over the Wallabies in Australia last June was a dramatic turnaround of fortunes for the side that was unceremoniously eliminated from the World Cup pool play in 2015.
Eddie Jones had seemingly masterminded the turnaround of England in less than a year, and after losing to Australia in the RWC pool match this tour was sweet revenge. England continued the reversal with their fourth consecutive win over in the November test last year.
However, one man was missing from all of that – Kurtley Beale.
His return to the Wallabies this year has been nothing short of sublime. Beale presence at 12 gives Australia more balance in attack, taking playmaking pressure off Foley and giving the Wallabies a world-class two-pronged attack alongside Israel Folau.
“Kurtley is the most wonderfully gifted player. He does things other players don’t even dream of,” praised England coach Eddie Jones.
“He’s got that ability to make that big play. His stint at Wasps has aided him, he’s become a lot more professional, a lot more consistent.
“He just adds that extra dimension that you don’t know where he’s going to turn up in attack, you don’t know what he’s going to do and he does it with skill, he does it with pace, he does it with precision and a smile on his face.’
With Folau rested for the end of year tour, Beale has been playing fullback. However, if Australia is going to reverse their recent results against England they need to revert him back to the jersey where he’s done the most damage – 12.
The White Wall
England’s revival and success down under against Australia last year was based on one key factor more than anything else – defence. Owen Farrell’s golden boot was a close second.
England’s defensive system successfully absorbed an enormous amount of pressure from the Wallabies. In the first test of the series, England held just 36 per cent of possession, they were outscored four tries to three, out-run 454 metres to 311 and out-carried 134 to 67 – but won the match 39-28.
Even more impressive – England’s second test 23-7 victory was won off an astoundingly low 29 per cent of possession. England doesn’t need the ball to win. They play defence and territory.
The system
England keeps its defensive line condensed with short spacing. They often leave space outside the 15 metre lines on the edges, and operate almost exclusively on ‘zero’ ruck contests. That is, they barely ever commit anyone to contest the breakdown – and when they do, players like Maro Itoje only seem to strike at opportune times.
The benefit is two-fold: England’s defensive line is often set early with as many bodies as possible (giving them a numbers advantage) and reduces any possibility of giving away ‘piggy-back’ ruck penalties.
England can sustain large waves of phases and still generate line speed by setting early.
Below we can see only one English body (the tackler) on the ground, short spacing across the field and space is given on the edge.
Folau is Batman – Beale is Robin
One of the key aspects of Beale playing 12 is he often takes over control of first receiver from Foley. He has the nous to identify space on the fringes and move the ball, knowing exactly when to release Folau.
In Bledisloe III, Beale ensured Folau had the ball when opportunities were presented on the edge. This eventually led to Folau’s crucial try right before halftime.
One of the failings of Foley last year was his inability to make the right decision, illustrated twice in this piece of play from the second test against England.
Foley receives the ball after 11 phases, with England stretched. He has Folau and Kuridrani outside with both players running into space as genuine receiving options. Rob Horne is also at the bottom of the screen.
Foley decides to dummy and takes on the line himself, while both Kuridrani and Horne are free options. Kuridrani is likely to score with a cutout pass.
Three phases later the same situation presents itself.
Foley dummies and goes himself for a second time, despite having a huge overlap. England’s winger Jack Nowell jams-in to cover, leaving Kuridrani and Horne open with acres of space.
Foley’s form this year has not been his best. If he is tasked with too much and does not have Beale to shoulder the load, he will fail.
With England’s strong defensive system, Australia’s best chances of breaching the line will be on the fringes. With Beale stationed wide at fullback, the ball may never get to him when it needs to.
Beating England without Folau is going to be a tall order, beating England with Beale at fullback is even less probable.
Comments on RugbyPass
Very unlikely the Bulls will beat Leinster in Dublin. It would be different in Pretoria.
1 Go to commentsI think it is a dangerous path to go down to ban a player for the same period that a player they injured takes to recover. Players would be afraid to tackle anyone. I once tackled my best friend at school in a practice match and sprained his ankle. I paid for it by having to play fly-half instead of full-back for the rest of that season’s fixtures.
5 Go to commentsJust such a genuine good bloke…and probably the best all round player in his generation. Good guys do come first sometimes and he handled the W.Cup loss with great attitude.
2 Go to commentsWord in France is that he’s on the radar of a few Top14 clubs.
2 Go to commentsGet blocking Travis, this guy has styles and he’s gonna make a swift impact…!
1 Go to commentsWhat remorse? She claimed that her dangerous tackle wasn’t worthy of a red! She should be compensating the injured player for loss of earnings at the minimum. Her ban should include the recovery time of the injured player as well as the paltry 3 match ban.
5 Go to commentsArdie is a legend. Finished and klaar. Two things: “Yeah, yeah, I have had a few conversations with Razor just around feedback on my game and what I am doing well, what I need to improve on or work-ons. It’s kind of been minimal, mate, but it’s all that I need over here in terms of how to be better, how to get better and what I am doing well.” I hope he’s downplaying it - and that it’s not that “minimal”. The amount of communication and behind the scenes preparation the Bok coaches put into players - Rassie and co would be all over Ardie and being clear on what is expected of him. This stands out for me as something teams should really be looking at in terms of the boks success from a coaching point of view. And was surprised by the comment - “minimal”. In terms of the “debate” around Ireland and South Africa. Nice one Ardie. Indeed. There’s no debate.
2 Go to commentsThere’s a bit of depth there but realistically Australian players have a long way to go to now catch up. The game is moving on fast and Australia are falling behind. Australian sides still don’t priories the breakdown like they should, it’s a non-negotiable if you want to compete on the international stage. That goes for forwards and backs. The Australian team could have a back row that could make a difference but the problem is they don’t have a tight five that can do the business. Tupou is limited in defence, overweight and unfit and the locks are a long way from international standard. Frost is soft and Salakai-Loto is too small so that means they need a Valentini at 8 who has to do the hard graft so limits the effectiveness of the backrow. Schmidt really needs to get a hard working, tough tight 5 if he wants to get this team firing.
3 Go to commentsSorry Morgan you must have been the “go to for a quote” ex player this week. Its rnd 6 and there is plenty of time to cement a starting 15 and finishing 8 so I have no such concerns.
2 Go to commentsGreat read. I wish you had done this article on the ROAR.
2 Go to commentsThe current AB coaching team is basically the Crusaders so it smacks of wanting their familiar leaders around. This is not a good look for the future of the ABs or the younger players in Super working their way up the player ladder. Razor is touted as innovative, forward looking but his early moves look like insecurity and insular, provincial thinking. He is the AB's coach not the Golden Oldies.
10 Go to commentsSimple reason for wanting him back. Robertson wants him as captain. Otherwise he wouldn’t be bothering chasing him. Not enough reason to come back just to mentor.
10 Go to commentsI had not considered this topic like this at all, brilliant read. I had been looking at his record at the Waratahs and thought it odd the Crusaders appointed him, then couple that with all that experience and talent departing and boom. They’ve got some great talent developing though, and in all honesty I don’t think anyone would be over confident taking them on in a playoff match, no matter how poor the first half of their season was. I think they can pull a game out of their ass when it counts.
2 Go to commentsNot a bad list but not Porecki and not Donaldson. Not because they are Tahs, or Ex Tahs, they are just not good enough. Edmed should be ahead. Far more potential. Wilson should be 8 and Valentini 6. Wilson needs to be told by his father and his coach, stop bloody running in to brick wall defence. You’re not playing under the genius Thorn any more. He’s a fantastic angle runner. The young new 8 from the Brumbies looks really good too. The Lonegrans are just too small for international rugby as is Paisami, as is Hamish Stewart at 12. Both great at Super Rugby level. Stewart could have been a great 10 if not for Brad Thorn. Uru should be there and so should Tupou. Tupou just needs good Australian coaching which he hasn’t been getting. I don’t think Schmidt will excite him.
3 Go to commentsIf he wants to come back then he should. He will be a major asset to the younger locks and could easily be played as an impact player off the bench coming on in the last 30. He is fit, strong and capable and has all the experience to make up for any loss in physical prowess. He could also be brought back with a view to coaching within the structures one day. Duane Vermeulen played until he was 37 or 38. He is now a roaming coach within the South African coaching structures. He was valuable in the last world cup and has been a major influence on Jasper Wiese and other young players which has helped and accelerated their development and growth. Whitelock could do the exact same thing for NZ
10 Go to commentsBrett Excellent words… finally someone (other than DC) has noted that Hanigan is very hard and very good at doing what Backrow should do… his performance via the Drua sauna was quite daunting for those on the other side… very high tackle count… carries with good end result… constant threat to make a good 20-25 meters with those long legs… providing his mass effectively to crunching the Drua pack… Finally he is returning to quality form… way to much injury time over the last 2 years… smart-strong-competent in his skills… caught every lineout throw aimed at him and delivered clean pass to whoever was down below… and he worked hard for the whole 80 minutes… Ned has to be in the top 5 for backrow honors… He knows what is required as he has been there before…
20 Go to commentsI think Sam Whitelock should not touch a return with a bargepole. He went out on a high, playing in the RWC Final. He would be coming back into a team that will be weaker than last years, and might even be struggling to win games, especially against the Boks. Stay in France, enjoy another year with Pau, playing alongside his brother.
10 Go to commentsRyan Coxon has been very impressive considering he was signed by WF as injury cover whilst Uru has been a standout for QR, surprised neither of those mentioned
3 Go to commentsIt’s the massive value he brings with regard team culture/values, preparation, etc. Can’t buy that. I’m hoping to see the young locks get their chance in the big games though.
10 Go to commentsAll good, Gregor, except that you neglected to mention Sam Darry amongst that talented pool of locks. In fact, given Hannah’s inexperience and the fact that Holland won’t be eligible until next year, Lord and Darry might be the frontrunners this year, to join Barrett, Tuipoluto, Va’ii and possibly Whitelock. In fact there might be room for all of them if Barrett played 6 (like Ollie Chessum).
10 Go to comments