The Wallabies are terrible and it has nothing to do with Folau
Michael Cheika’s Wallabies are continuing in the same direction as they were last year, after an opening 35-17 blowout loss at Ellis Park to what was described as a Springboks ‘B’ side but was laden with quality test match players.
Right from the opening minute, the Springboks looked sharp, rushing up and pounding hapless Wallabies well beyond the gain line for seven phases before they turned it over. The intensity was too much for a side lacking fundamentals in so many areas.
The passage of play leading up to the Springboks’ first try perfectly illustrates Australia’s ineffectiveness with ball-in-hand, which often leads to shipping points against the run of play through errors or turnovers.
Bernard Foley is absolutely buried by Andre Esterhuizen for a gain line loss on a wrap-around play on first phase, killing a set-piece move from the lineout. As Kuridrani and Hooper try to secure the ruck from the side, the ball spills out forcing Nic White to scramble and run himself.
On the third phase, an inside ball from Sekope Kepu finds Folau Fainga’a who is driven sideways. The outside latcher, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto advances past Fainga’a to clean out the second tackler only to be knocked over by his own man Fainga’a, leaving the Wallabies without adequate protection. Kepu lazily tries to clean from the side but Francois Louw has already won possession, from which the Springboks spread wide and score 60-metres later.
This is part and parcel for this Wallabies side who have issues protecting and recycling the ball, with many of their pack too slow, taking bad angles and generally inaccurate at the breakdown. The scripted nature of their attack falls apart effortlessly with sloppy execution, at times from wayward passing and handling but just as much through poor breakdown work.
It’s hard to say with any conviction that these forwards are the best players in their positions in Australia. If indeed they are, many are not up to the level required of Tier 1 international rugby to be successful. Under a new coach, the selections of Sekope Kepu, Folau Fainga’a, Izack Rodda, Rory Arnold and Lukhan Salakaia-Loto would be in serious jeopardy just based on their ability to do their job and get around the park efficiently at this level. Michael Hooper would miss out on starting due to not being the best in his position, his questionable role as an edge runner and obvious lineout deficiencies.
This pack as currently constructed does not have the ability to dominate any facet of the game and will be eaten alive by their counterparts from England, Wales and Ireland at the World Cup while the All Blacks will feast on this piecemeal pack for another Bledisloe.
Nic White was the Wallabies’ best but even his impact was stifled by the sum of all parts. At times it felt as if the side could not play at the tempo he wanted to bring, and the quicker he played the worse things got. His kicking game provided the Wallabies some stability but they were outfoxed by both Springbok halves Herschel Jantjies and Elton Jantjies in that department.
Cheika is a passionate coach who is stubbornly loyal, often to the detriment of the Wallabies. His post-match sentiment again focused on refereeing decisions and not those of his players.
Dane Haylett-Petty putting a shoulder in at the ruck when he should be flanked on the blindside wing cost seven points. The possession leading to Jantjies’ second try was gifted to the Springboks by Bernard Foley pushing a pass just outside his own 22 that was intercepted. Izack Rodda’s poor defensive positioning allowed Pieter-Steph Du Toit to coast right by him and cost seven points a few phases later when Lood de Jager crashed over. Taniela Tupou cleaning out a player after the whistle lead to the third try. Foley throwing a pass to player in front of him and another player picking it up in an offside position lead to the fourth.
Cheika spoke of being ‘happy with a lot of things’, ‘good defence’ and ‘picking apart the Springboks’ in what was nearly a 20-point loss. There seems to be no accountability for performance or the ability to identify poor performance in this current setup, just rhetoric about hope for tomorrow.
“There are a lot of great people in our team and a lot of great things happening behind the scenes that right now aren’t turning themselves into wins, but we will turn them into wins next year,” Michael Cheika said after the 2018 loss to England at Twickenham.
Well, tomorrow is here. It’s 2019 and it looks just as bleak for the Wallabies.
Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus after the win over the Wallabies:
Comments on RugbyPass
There’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 commentsHis value is stabilizing the ship 20 - 40 minutes out from the final whistle plus his valuable experience to the underlings coming through.
10 Go to commentsWhat is criminal is she acts like it's no problem her actions have have cause the Italian player to lose her playing career, lose salary, if she did this in day to day life she would be in jail, she is a complete thug!!!
3 Go to commentsCorrect me if i’m wrong but the sadas have to win all games running into the finals yeh nah?
1 Go to commentsDon’t like Diamond but the maul is a joke, the sight of a choke tackle creating a maul then players in offside positions flopping on it killing the ball but then getting the put in? Banal.
3 Go to commentsHopefully Tabai Matson returns to Crusaders as head coach next season.
1 Go to commentsstorm in a teacup really. Penalty only so play on as the try was scored. Now the real question is: why was Maitland allowed to pass the ball off the floor? That is illegal but refs never pick it up.
1 Go to commentsWhen Beauden Barrett signed his contract before the 2023 RWC to play in Japan in 2024, it was NOT part of a sabbatical agreed to with NZRU prior to his signing, as was Ardie Savea and Sam Cane. Barrett changed his mind after the fact and negotiated his return to NZ Rugby and he was given permission to be eligible for All Black selection straight away once he signed a new contract to return to the Blues in 2025. Therefore, why would anyone argue against Whitelock returning to the All Blacks straight away after his season is France is finished if he signs a new contract with NZRU which includes a Super Rugby contract in 2025? If Barrett can, Whitelock should be allowed too.
10 Go to comments