Where was the All Blacks structure in attack? Five talking points from Bledisloe IV
The Wallabies have bounced back from a record loss to the All Blacks last weekend, to defeat their Trans-Tasman rivals 24-22 at Suncorp Stadium.
It was a match marred by controversy with two reds cards shown, and a further two yellows shown as well. But with the scores very close and the clock rapidly approaching the final 10 minutes, it was the Wallabies who took control through a Reece Hodge penalty.
A try to Taniela Tupou in the dying stages all but sealed the famous win for the hosts, despite a try to late inclusion Tupou Vaa’i with a minute left to run on the clock.
Here are five talking points that came out of Bledisloe IV.
History for all the wrong reasons
It was a busy night for referee Nic Berry.
On not one but two occasions, he had to reach into his pocket and send a player off for the remainder of the game.
All Blacks prop Ofa Tu’ungafasi became the fifth All Black ever to be sent from the field, after he collected Tom Wright’s head with his shoulder.
Wallaby debutant Lachie Swinton did the exact same 12 minutes later, but finding Sam Whitelock instead. It wasn’t exactly a debut to remember for the 23-year-old, who was the first Wallaby ever to be shown a red card on his debut.
Add to that yellow cards to Wallabies winger Marika Koroibete and All Blacks lock Scott Barrett, and you can see how this is a clear talking point.
At one point, it was 13 versus 14.
Poor discipline has cost both teams in big matches before, with a notable example including Scott Barrett once again. Barrett was shown a red card in Perth last year, with the Wallabies running out to a record victory that day.
Clearly, this is an area that both sides have to address as they prepare to face Argentina, to determine who wins this year’s Tri Nations.
Hodge guides Wallabies to win – but should he return to the bench against Argentina?
On Thursday, Wallaby coach Dave Rennie named Australia’s Mr Fix It, Reece Hodge, at flyhalf. The selection was definitely a surprise but wasn’t exactly unheard of.
Injuries to playmakers James O’Connor and Matt To’omua, and a rough debut at 10 for Noah Lolesio last week, opened the door for Hodge to return to the starting side.
It was his short kicking game which helped sent the tone early, with a chip kick in behind the All Blacks defensive line leading to Tom Wright’s opener just a couple of minutes in.
Hodge’s kicking display off the tee was also the difference between winning and losing for the hosts, finishing with a 14-point haul. A late penalty no doubt would’ve prompted flashbacks for All Black fans, after a Hodge penalty helped the Wallabies fight their way to a tough win in 2017 – familiar, right?
That being said, Dave Rennie seemed to suggest post-match that O’Connor would get next crack at the 10 jersey, seeing that he’s healthy and ready to go.
If that’s the case, it’ll be interesting to see how Hodge fits into Rennie’s starting side if at all, considering how well the backline performed.
Is there a better winger in World Rugby than Marika Koroibete?
A big claim, that’s for sure.
The 2019 John Eales Medallist had some lowlights throughout this year’s Bledisloe Cup series, but the good very much outweighs the bad if you ask me.
He’s a proven try scorer, we know that, but it’s what he’s been doing in defence that has particularly stood out.
In Bledisloe III, the winger sent Wallaby fans into a frenzy with a brilliant try-saving tackle on Caleb Clarke. On Saturday night though, he backed it up with another effort that prevented Sevu Reece from scoring with 30 minutes to play.
Game changer.
Also, consider his big hits in defence generally, and his proven ability to test teams, and he’s got to be in this conversation.
Where was the All Blacks’ structure in attack?
Just a week after a dominant victory over the Wallabies, the All Blacks were blown out of the park.
Clearly, a week is a long time in test rugby.
Ian Foster named a very different side to the one that fronted up last weekend though, with only centre Anton Leinert-Brown able to retain his spot in the backs. Everyone else was either dropped/rested or shifted.
One change that excited fans though was the return of Beauden Barrett in the 10 jersey – but ultimately, this backfired.
Barrett played like a 15 playing flyhalf, which led to mixed results. He held his own in attack at moments, but also overplayed his hand elsewhere – like chipping kicking more than once when it wasn’t working, or attempting a cross-field kick inside your own 22.
The All Blacks needed structure, especially when they went down a man, but they struggled to get on top of it.
TJ Perenara had one of his worst games in a black jersey, while Ngani Laumape also struggled to offer anything other than his occasional trademark runs.
To regain this structure in time for this Saturday’s test against Argentina at Bankwest stadium, selection changes will have to be made.
Time to bring back Richie [Mo’unga] and shift Beauden back.
Suncorp hoodoo continues for All Blacks
In their five meetings in Brisbane since 2011, the All Blacks have won just one test at Suncorp Stadium. That win, might I remind you, was a one-point win courtesy of a Colin Slade conversion after the siren.
All Blacks captain Sam Cane spoke about the difficulty of playing at the venue ahead of Bledisloe IV.
“I see it as a massive challenge for us – I look at our record at Suncorp and it’s something that we’re not proud of,” Cane said.
“Obviously the Wallabies enjoy playing there because they’ve got that record over us but I can’t pinpoint it – stadiums are a funny thing.”
In fact, there hasn’t been a winning margin by more than seven points in the 14 Bledisloe tests held in Brisbane.
Fair to say it’s the All Blacks equivalent of Eden Park? Same can be said for the Wallabies.
The hosts extended their unbeaten run at the venue to seven matches with the 24-22 win, dating back to 2016’s test against England.
Comments on RugbyPass
It couldn’t have been Ryan Crotty. He wasn’t selected in either World Cup side - they chose Money Bill instead. And Money Bill only cared about himself, and that manager he had, not the team.
25 Go to commentsYawn 🥱 nobody would give a hoot about this new trophy. End of the day we just have to beat Ireland and NZ this year then they can finally shut up 🤐
13 Go to commentsTalking bout Ryan Crotty? Heard Crotty say in a interview once that SBW doesen't care about the team . He went on to say that whenever they lost a big game, SBW would be happy as if nothing happened, according to him someone who cares would look down.. Personally I think Crotty is in the wrong, not for feeling gutted but for expecting others 2 be like him… I have been a bad loser forever as it matters so much to me but good on you SBW for being able to see the bigger picture….
25 Go to commentsThis sounds like a WWE idea so Americans can also get excited about rugby, RUGBY NEEDS A INTERNATIONAL CALENDER .. The rugby Championship and Six Nations can be held at same time, top 3 of six nations and top 3 of Rugby championship (6 nations should include Georgia AND another qualifying country while Fiji, Japan and Samoa/Tonga qualifier should make out 6 Southern teams).. Scrap June internationals and year end tours. Have a Elite top six Cup and the Bottom 6 in a secondary comp….
13 Go to commentsThe rugby championship would be even stronger with Fiji in it… I know it doesen’t fit the long term plans of NZ or Aus but you are robbing a whole nation of being able to see their best players play for Fiji…. Every second player in NZ and AUS teams has Fijian surnames… shame on you!!! World rugby won’t step in either as France and England has now also joined in…. I guess where money is involved it will always be the poor countries missing out….
84 Go to commentsNo surprise there. How hard can it be to pick a ball off the ground and chuck it to a mate? 😂
2 Go to commentsSometimes people just like a moan mate!
1 Go to commentsexcellent idea ! rugby needs this 💪
13 Go to comments9 Brumbies! What a joke! The best performing team in Oz! Ditch Skelton for Swain or Neville. Ryan Lonergan ahead of McDermott any day! Best selection bolter is Toole … amazing player
12 Go to commentsI like this, but ultimately rugby already has enough trophies. Trying to make more games “consequential" might prove to be a fools errand, although this is a less bad idea than some others. Minor quibble with the title of the article; it isn’t very meaningful to say the boks are the unofficial world champions when it would be functionally impossible for the Raeburn trophy not to be held by the world champions. There’s a period of a few months every 4 years when there is no “unofficial” world champion, and the Raeburn trophy is held by the actual world champions.
13 Go to commentsIts a great idea but one that I dont think will have a lot of traction. It will depend on the prestige that they each hold but if you can do that it would be great. When Japan beat the Boks (my team) I was absolutely devestated but I wont deny the great game they played that day. We were outclassed and it was one of the best games of rugby I have seen. Using an idea like this you might just give the the underdog teams more of an opportunity to beat the big teams and I can absolutely see it being a brilliant display of rugby. They beat us because they planned for that game. It was a great moment for Japan. This way we can remove the 4 year wait and give teams something to aim for outside of World Cup years.
13 Go to commentsHi, Dave here. Happy to answer questions 🥰
13 Go to commentsDon’t think that headline is accurate. It’s great to see Aus doing better but I’m not sure they’ve shown much threat to the top of the table. They shouldn’t be inflating wins against the lousy Highlanders and Crusaders either.
3 Go to commentsSuch a shame Roigard and Aumua picked up long term injuries, probably the two form players in the comp. Also, pretty sure Clarke Dermody isn’t their coach. Got it half right though.
3 Go to commentsOh the Aussie media, they never learn. At least Andrew Kellaway is like “Woah, yeah it’s great, but settle down there guys” having endured years of the Aussie media, fans, and often their players getting ahead of themselves only to fall flat on their faces. Have the “We'll win the Bledisloe for sure this year!” headlines started yet? It’s simple to see what’s going on. The Aussie teams are settled, they didn't lose any of their major players overseas. The Crusaders and Chiefs lost key experienced All Blacks, and Razor in the Crusaders case, and clearly neither are anywhere near as strong as last year (The Canes and Blues would probably be 3rd & 4th if they were). The Highlanders are annually average, even more so post-Aaron Smith and a big squad clean out. The two teams at the top? The two nz sides with largely the same settled roster as last year, except Ardie Savea for the Canes. They’ve both got far better coaches now too. If the Aussies are going to win the title, this is the year the kiwi sides will be weakest, so they better take their chance.
3 Go to commentsThe World Cup has to be the gold standard, line in the sand. 113 teams compete for what is the opportunity to make the pool stages, and then the knockout games for the trophy. The concept is sound. This must have been the rationale when the World Cup was created, surely? But I’m all for Looking forward and finding new ways for the SH to dominate the NH into the future. The autumn series needs a change up. Let’s start by having the NH teams come south every odd year for the Autumn/Spring series games?
13 Go to commentsWhat’ll happen when the AI models of the future go back in time and try to destroy the AI models of the past standing in their way of certain victory?
44 Go to commentsThanks, Nick. We (Seanny Maloney, Brett and I) just discussed Charlie as a potential Wallaby No 8, and wondered if he has truly realised how big he is in contact (and whether he can add 5 kg w/o slowing down). Your scouting report confirms our suspicions he has the materiel. No one knows if he has the mentality (as Johann van Graan said this week about CJ, Duane and Alfie B) to carry 10-15 times a game.
58 Go to commentsHe would be a great player for the Stormers, Dobbo should approach the guy.
3 Go to commentsGood article. A few years back when he was playing for the Cheetahs, he was a quiet standout for exactly the seasons stated here. I occasionally get to see his games in the UK, and he has become a more complete player and in many ways like an Irish player. His work ethic is so suitable to the Leinster game. I wonder if Rassie would have him listed somewhere.
3 Go to comments