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'Selection can fix that': The Wallabies facing the chopping block following 'diabolical' defensive effort
After such a promising start to the 2020 Bledisloe Cup series in Wellington just over a week ago, the Wallabies have come crashing back down to earth.
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Securing an unlikely 16-all draw to open their international season in the New Zealand capital, the optimism brimming within Dave Rennie’s side came to a thudding halt at Eden Park on Sunday as the Wallabies were dealt a 27-7 defeat by the All Blacks.
Inspired by the almost unstoppable Caleb Clarke, the hosts’ attack was direct and free-flowing, something of which the Australians struggled to contain.
The Wallabies were so defensively poor that they missed a total of 42 tackles in an effort that was described as “diabolical” by Australian news agency AAP in the wake of the defeat.
Head coach Rennie highlighted his team’s wayward defence as a key reason behind the loss that leaves them needing victory in their next two matches against the All Blacks if they are to reclaim the Bledisloe Cup for the first time since 2002.
“Tackle percentage,” he said when asked where the match went so wrong for the visitors.
“Last week we tackled really well and made minimal mistakes. We always knew that was really important against the All Blacks. Today we turned the ball over a lot and then missed too many tackles.
“Individual tackling was poor and we got put under the heat from it.”
In addition to soft defence, poor option-taking and sloppy ball retention also allowed the likes of Clarke to flourish in sublime attacking conditions.
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One bomb kick in particular from James O’Connor had no Australian chasers on the end of it as the ball sailed towards an All Blacks back three featuring both Clarke and star playmaker Beauden Barrett, who was in fine touch despite being the target of numerous off-the-ball hits from Wallabies No. 8 Harry Wilson.
Clarke, the 21-year-old wing playing in just his second test match, was subsequently given far too much space and was handed a free license to rip through the Australian defence, bursting through five tackle attempts to effectively assist Ardie Savea’s try.
It’s that lacklustre defensive effort that has forced Rennie into threatening selection changes less than a fortnight out from the third Bledisloe Cup clash and Rugby Championship opener against the All Blacks at ANZ Stadium in Sydney.
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“Selection can sometimes fix that,” the former Chiefs and Glasgow Warriors boss said when asked if he can take solace in the fact that defensive amendments could save his side’s Bledisloe Cup ambitions on October 31.
But, if Australia’s defensive woes are to blame for this demoralising thumping, who exactly is in the firing line as they prepare for a Rugby Championship campaign on home soil?
A quick gaze over the Wallabies’ defensive statistics from Sunday’s defeat shows Marika Koroibete’s place in the starting lineup could well be under threat given he produced the worst tackle percentage of the afternoon.
Making just three tackles from eight attempts, the 2019 John Eales Medallist largely undid all the good work he produced with his first half try, which was reflected in yesterday’s RugbyPass player ratings from the match.
It was his shocking defensive read that allowed Patrick Tuipulotu to break free and set up All Blacks captain Sam Cane for his try in the second half.
Koroibete should have bagged a brace prior to that as well, but was somehow prevented from dotting down in the left-hand corner by Richie Mo’unga and Anton Lienert-Brown.
His error-filled performance could open the way for experienced operators Dane Haylett-Petty or Jack Maddocks to return to the side for the upcoming crunch match, although uncapped duo Tom Wright and James Ramm are other options.
Fellow wing Filipo Daugunu was similarly at fault for failing to bounce out and cover Jordie Barrett in the lead-up to his try, and was guilty of going far too high on Savea as he strolled over for an easy try.
Finishing the match with a tackle rate of 57 percent, Daugunu’s spot in the side may also be under threat, although the attacking danger he poses might be too valuable to lose.
Bledisloe Cup star Caleb Clarke revealed that Wallabies captain Michael Hooper grabbed his testicles, as Clarke went on one of his many tackle busting runs at Eden Park. #BledisloeCup #NZLvAUS https://t.co/h9kUxpwDlI
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) October 18, 2020
Energetic halfback Nic White, who was among the man-of-the-match contenders in Wellington eight days ago, jointly led the missed tackle count alongside Koroibete after falling off five attempts.
Unlike the Fijian-born wing, though, White did make more tackles than he missed, completing 10 of his own and was among the few Australian players who actually managed to bring Clarke down as he charged towards the line leading up to Savea’s try.
He was, however, far less convincing than he was at Sky Stadium, and it may be time for Rennie to answer the calls of many on the western side of the Tasman to throw impressive Reds rookie Tate McDermott into the cauldron next Saturday.
While Rennie did reserve some praise for young midfielder Hunter Paisami, the 22-year-old was the source of three turnovers and registered a tackle rate of just 50 percent, joining Koroibete and White in missing five tackles apiece.
That led the Wallabies coach to namedrop uncapped prospect Irae Simone as a possible contender to come into the side for the Sydney test.
“We do have some pretty good options who didn’t play today,” Rennie said.
“Irae Simone being one fella who’s spent a bit of time over here in New Zealand and [was] a big part of the Brumbies set-up, so we do have some options.”
Up front, tighthead prop Taniela Tupou missed two of his three tackle attempts before being pulled from the field at halftime, which bodes well for Allan Alaalatoa’s chances of starting in New South Wales.
Other options include three-test Highlanders recruit Jermaine Ainsley and uncapped Rebels star Pone Fa’amausili.
Comments on RugbyPass
I hope Leinster’s proud of themselves fielding a poor team. They should decide if they’re all in or not.
1 Go to commentsJordie is looking at 16 games maximum if Leinster reach both the URC and champions cup finals. Thats not guaranteed. Some of those home URC fixtures will be cakewalks as well for Leinster and there is not much doing during the 6 nations in Feb and March so he can probably get a decent rest then. He will have to really put in it for maybe 7 or 8 games max. It should be a good move for both.
13 Go to commentsThe game was a quarter final, not a semi final. Barrett will be here for 6 months, he is no one's replacement at 13. That mantle will most likely ultimately go to Jamie Osborne, though Garry Ringrose has at least 4 more years in him. The long term problem position (in the next 3 years) for Leinster is tighthead prop, though there are a couple of prospects at schools level.
24 Go to commentsSo much for all that hype surrounding the ‘revival’ of Aussie rugby. The Blues were without the likes of regular starters Perofeta, Sullivan, Christie etc… This was a capitulation of the highest order by Australia’s finest. Joe Schmidt definitely has his work cut out for him.
2 Go to commentsYes they can ignore Sotutu. Like Akira Ioane plays OK at Super level but gets lost in tests. Too many chances too many failures.
2 Go to commentsA wallaby front-row of Bell, Blake and Tupou…now that would be hefty
1 Go to comments“But with an exceptional pass accuracy rating “ Which apart from Roigard is not a feature of any of the other 9s in NZ. Kind of basic for a Black 9 dont.you. think? Yet we keep seeing FC and TJ being rated ahead of him? Weird if it’s seen as vital to get our backline beating in your face defences.
1 Go to commentsThanks BeeMc! Looks like many teams need extra time to settle from the quadrennial northern migration. I think generally the quality of the Rugby has held up. Fiji has been fantastic and fun to watch
13 Go to commentsLets compare apples with apples. Lyon sent weak team the week before, but nobody raised an eyebrow. Give the South African teams a few years to build their depth, then you will be moaning that the teams are too strong.
41 Go to commentsDid footballs agents also perform the scout role at some time? I’m surprised more high profile players haven’t taken up the occupation, great way to remain in the game and use all that experience without really requiring a lot of specific expertise?
1 Go to commentsSuper rugby is struggling but that has little to do with sabbaticals. 1. Too many teams from Aust and NZ - should be 3 and 4 respectively, add in 2 from Japan, 1 possibly 2 from Argentina. 2. Inconsistent and poor refereeing, admittedly not restricted to Super rugby. Only one team was reffed at the breakdown in Reds v H’Landers match. Scrum penalty awarded in Canes v Drua when No 8 had the ball in the open with little defence nearby - ideal opportunity to play advantage. Coming back to Reds match - same scrum situation but ref played advantage - Landers made 10 yards and were penalised at the breakdown when the ref should have returned to scrum penalty. 3. Marketing is weak and losing ground to AFL and NRL. Playing 2 days compared with 4. 4. Scheduling is unattractive to family attendance. Have any franchises heard of Sundays 2pm?
13 Go to commentsAbsolutely..all they need is a chance in yhe playoffs and I bet all the other teams will be nervous…THEY KNOW HOW TO WIN IM THE PLAYOFFS..
2 Go to commentsI really hope he comes back and helps out with some coaching.
1 Go to commentsI think we are all just hoping that the Olympic 7s doesn’t suffer the same sad fate as the last RWC with the officials ruining the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsPersonally, I’ve lost the will to even be bothered about the RFU, the structure, the participants. It’s all a sham. I now simply enjoy getting a group of friends together to go and watch a few games a year in different locations (including Europe, the championship, etc). I feel extremely sorry for the real fans of these clubs who are constantly ignored by the RFU and other administrators. I feel especially sorry for the fans of clubs in the Championship who have had considerable central funding stripped away and are then expected to just take whatever the RFU put to them. Its all a sham, especially if the failed clubs are allowed to return.
10 Go to commentsI’m guessing Carl Hayman would have preferred to have stayed in NZ with benefit of hindsight. Up north there is the expectation to play twice as many games with far less ‘player management’ protocols that Paul is now criticising. Less playing through concussions means longer, healthier, careers. Carter used as the eg here by Paul, his sabbatical allowed him to play until age 37. OK its not an exact science but there is far more expectations on players who sign for Top 14 or Engl Prem clubs to get value for the huge salaries. NZR get alot wrong but keeping their best players in NZ rugby is not one of them. SA clubs are virtually devoid of their top players now, no thanks. They cant threaten the big teams in the Champions Cup, the squads have little depth. Cant see Canes/Chiefs struggling. Super has been great this year, fantastic high skill matches. Drua a fantastic addition and Jaguares will add another quality team eventually. Aus teams performing strongly and no doubt will benefit with the incentive of a Lions tour and a home RWC. Let Jordie enjoy his time with Leinster, it will allow the opportunity for another player to emerge at Canes in his absence.
13 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
6 Go to comments“South African franchises would be powerhouses if we had all our overseas based players back in situ. We would have the same unbeatable aura the Toulouses, Leinsters or Saracens of this world have had over the last decade or so.” Proof that Jake white does not understand the economics of the game in SA. Players earning abroad are not going to simply come back and represent the bulls. But they might if they have a springbok contract.
25 Go to commentsA lot of fans just joined in for the fun of it! We all admire O'Gara and what he has done for La Rochelle
6 Go to commentsThe RFU will find a way to mess this up as usual. My bet is there will be no promotion into the the Premiership, only relegation into National League One. Hopefully they won’t parachute failed clubs into the league at the expense of clubs who have battled for promotion.
10 Go to comments