European trip a massive wake-up call for Southern Hemisphere sides
They travelled over as the best-ranked three nations in world rugby but Australia, South Africa and New Zealand are returning from their European tours with their tails between their legs.
The Wallabies completed their first winless European tour since 1976 with a 29-28 loss to Wales in Cardiff on Saturday, after losses to Scotland and England in the previous two weeks.
The narrow defeat was a creditable one after Dave Rennie’s team had to play short-handed for 66 minutes after Rob Valetini was sent off.
Nonetheless, the string of defeats is a reality check for Australia having jetted to Europe on the back of a five-game winning run and ranked third in the world.
The All Blacks started their tour with a one-point win over England but leave with plenty of questions to answer after back-to-back defeats to Ireland and France.
The 40-25 defeat to Les Bleus in Paris is particularly worrying given New Zealand will start their 2023 World Cup pool stage against the French at the same venue.
World champions South Africa also ended their tour on a low note, toppled by Eddie Jones’ England in a one-point defeat at Twickenham.
The Southern Hemisphere trio’s weekend wipeout brought predictable scorn from the United Kingdom with Sunday Times journalist Stephen Jones tweeting it was “hard to see the relevance” of the annual late-year clashes anymore.
Jones’s comments may have been tongue-in-cheek but the struggles suggest a real battle to keep the Webb Ellis Cup out of northern hands in 2023.
A northern hemisphere team hasn’t won the World Cup since Jonny Wilkinson’s drop-goal success for England in Sydney in 2003 but with England, Wales, France and Ireland all showing their level that 20-year drought could be about to end.
Dave Rennie is bulling. #WALvAUS https://t.co/BaHi0t81xO
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) November 20, 2021
England coach Jones, however, was playing down the long-term significance of the results after his team secured a win over the Springboks in the first meeting between the nations since the 2019 World Cup final.
“It’s a one-off game between first and third in the world, that’s where we stand at the moment and we’re happy to knock off the top team,” the Australian said.
“We have four campaigns left before the World Cup. Next is the Six Nations and we want to be better.”
All Blacks coach Ian Foster sought to put a positive spin on his team’s losing fortnight.
“We’ve played more tests than we’ve ever played, and we’ve won 12 out of 15 (in 2021),” said Foster. “I know we get judged harshly, but we’re making progress.
“If you look at the balance of it, look at South Africa and Australia and us, we’ve probably all run out of juice a little bit near the end.
“But, gee, the top six or seven teams in world rugby right now are strong.”
– Ed Jackson
Comments on RugbyPass
Joe will have had a good chat with Dave Rennie, a smart move to begin with while it’s doubtful Fast Eddie will be consulted? Plenty of Aus players hitting top form so they should go OK.
3 Go to commentsMmm. Not sure I like this article or see it as necessary.
1 Go to commentsBlackadder but no Finau! 😀 It’s Razor so you are probably right, plus Taylor at 2…
9 Go to commentsThe strongest possible AB side would actually include Aaron Smith, Bodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock, Leicester Fainga'anuku, Shannon Frizzel.. don’t get me started on the rest of the injury hit brigade that got flung on the heap so left. Many a whole not getting filled as of yet.
9 Go to commentsI don’t think anyone knows what Schmidt will do, one thing is certain it ain’t gonna be all the picks we on the keyboard will think. My impression of him is that he will be looking at who can step up and what is the best combination. He will ignore individuals as he looks for guys who can build a powerful team and not just guys who can make a flashy run or ignore the winger as they want to score themselves.
3 Go to commentsSome dumb selections there. Not Porecki Not Donaldson Not Gordon Not Lonegran - both Not Nic White - Fines instead Not Liam Wright Not Paisami Definitely not Vunivalu Other than that not bad.
3 Go to commentsI've never been convinced that Patty T is a test match all black. Otherwise I probably agree it's the best side available to beat the poms. Caveat that Codie Taylor is yet to be seen and could very likely warrant selection by June. I hope that Razor brings the young loosies, half backs and locks into the training squad and develops/ selects the best
9 Go to commentsYou doing the same thing I disliked about the example of Samisoni Taukei'aho, Nick. He’s great the way he is, you’re trying to do what modern-day coaches frustrate me doing, turning everyone into the perfect athlete. Next thing you’ll be telling me you’ll bench him until he’s hit that arbitrary marker, and can’t overtake the current guy who’s doing all his workons. He’s a young Kieran Read, through and through, plays wide and has threat, mainly (and evident in your clips) through his two hand carry and speed. Just let him work on that, or whatever he wants, and determine his own future. Play God and you risk the players going sideways, like Read did, instead of being a Toutai Kefu. I mean I was in the same camp for a while, wanting our tight five to have the size, and carry ability, as the teams they were getting beat by. Now I’m starting to believe those teams just have better skilled and practiced individuals, bigger by upwards of 5kg sometimes, sure, but more influentially they have those intrinsic skills of trust and awareness. Basically our guys just didn’t know wtf they were doing. Don’t think I’m trying to prove a point here but hasn’t Caleb Clarke been in much better form this year, or does he just ‘look’ better now that he’s not always trying to use his size?
44 Go to commentsThe pack lacks a little in height for the line out and I wouldn’t be completely convinced by some of the combinations till we see it in action.
9 Go to commentsThe side is good but lacks experience. International playing bona fides udually trumps super rugby form for good reason. And incumbents are usually stuck with. Codie Taylor should start or come off the bench. B Barrett will start at fullback. Blackadder has not earned the position, Finau has. TJs experience and competitiveness earns him a starting role, Christie or Ratima off the bench
9 Go to commentsPretty good side. Scott Barrett should be the captain. Ethan Blackadder a great choice at blindside. He is going to go from strength to strength having made a couple of starts for the Crusaders. Scott Robertson rates him highly. Perenara could start a no 9.
9 Go to commentsI question and with respect. Was enough done over the last few years to bring through new blood knowing the Whitelocks and co couldn’t last forever. There should have been more done to future proof the team. New squad new coach, he and they weren’t set up well. IMO
6 Go to commentsJacobsen will definitely be in the 23
9 Go to commentsLots of discussion points, Ben, but two glaring follies IMO: 1. Blackadder at 6. Has done nothing so far this season to justify his selection. Did you see him going backwards in contact at the weekend? Simply has not got the physical presence at 6: we need a Scott Barrett or a Finau (or wildcard Ah Kuoi), beasts who are big enough to play lock, like Frizzell. If Barret played at 6, Paddy could be joined at lock by Vai’i or one of the young giants we need to promote, like Darry or Lord (if he ever gets on the field). Blackadder best left to join the queue for 7. 2. Not even a mention for Christie? Ratima gets caught at crucial times at the back of the ruck when he hesitates on the pass. The only way he starts would be if Christie and TJ are injured.
9 Go to commentsWhat a dagg in more ways than one
6 Go to commentsRegroup come back next year but sack some of the coaching team and don't be like the ABs last minute sacking. If Crusaders don't do well ABs don't do well.
5 Go to commentsProctor Definitely inform again this year had a hell of a season last year and this year is looking even better. Still mixed feelings about Ioane tho.
4 Go to commentsDagg is still trying to get enough headlines to make himself relevant enough to get a job. The Crusaders went back to square one at all levels. Shelve this season and nail the next one.
6 Go to commentsHe was in such great form. Sad for him but only a short term injury and it will be great to see him back for the finals.
1 Go to commentsAfter their 5/0 start, I had the Crusaders to finish Top 4 only…they lost the plot in Perth but will reload and back themselves vs 4th placed Rebels…
5 Go to comments