Who’s afraid of the big, bad Wallaby? The answer this weekend is, not the All Blacks.
Despite the usual cork floats of confidence bobbing about in the sea of indifference that constitutes the vast majority of planet rugby in Australia these days, the third and final Bledisloe test in Brisbane is likely to go the way of the other two this season and end with an All Blacks victory.
You can say what you like about how much this test means to Australian rugby and to the players – none more so, perhaps, than Stephen Moore who has been benched for the more dynamic Tatafu Polota-Nau in a move that seems designed to scream ‘sentimentality does not reside here’ – and of course it means a lot to the sport’s governing body and to the 23 men who get to wear that jumper. Ultimately, though, you have to ask yourself: who in that team is going to get the job done?
There is talent in the side, certainly, but where are the real knockout punches in this team? In years gone by names like Horan and Little, and Lynagh and Gregan and Smith filled kiwi hearts with a real sense of dread. Do any of the current Wallabies engender that response from the New Zealand fans, or from the All Blacks themselves? Respect, yes. Fear? No way.
Partly it’s because Australian Super Rugby teams have been points pinatas for the New Zealand for the best part of a decade, give or take a title or two, but more its because the Australians simply don’t have the volume of rugby behind them. I am not talking about this year, I am talking about a generation that has not had the battle hardening of their closest neighbours.
This weekend, while many a mango is deleted at Suncorp, New Zealand’s national provincial championship enters its playoff phase. It is worth noting this because the Mitre 10 Cup is the difference between the two nations, plainly and simply.
Much has been said about the decline of the the championship in light of the rise of Super Rugby and the disconnection between the provinces and the All Blacks, but it remains the best domestic competition in the world for generating skilful, athletic and dynamic players and testing them in a regular season that demands conditioning, intellect and preparation.
There is not an All Black who has not been through the provincial championship ranks at some stage of his career. It is the proving ground for the future international stars. Australia’s fledgling, struggling NRC does not yet come close. When it does, Australian rugby will be back in business.
It may seem a bridge too far to be comparing a semiprofessional league with an international fixture but if this season, and New Zealand’s continuing dominance of the southern hemisphere proves one thing, it is that the Mitre !0 Cup is the crucial link between age group greatness and international readiness.
Look through the All Blacks team this weekend: Kane Hames, Nepo Laulala, Scott Barrett, Liam Squire, Sam Cane, Reiko Ioane and Damian McKenzie will all start on Saturday night. All of them played in the Mitre 10 Cup last year, some have strapped on the sprigs this year. They may have then gone on to Super Rugby and, ultimately to All Blacks selection, but their participation in the provincial championship gave their development structure and direction.
Can the Wallabies say the same about their starting team this weekend? Are they being tested in an ultra-competitive environment away from Cheika’s watch and their super rugby squads? Put simply, do the next wave of Wallabies have the runs on the board at the senior level of the game? The answer it seems is no.
That’s why the All Blacks won’t fear them this weekend, and why the All Blacks will win again. All Blacks are made, the Wallabies are selected. It is a harsh reality for our friends across the ditch, but until the investment is made in a domestic league to really sort the wheat from the chaff, those corks will continue to bob in that ocean of indifference, and the results will be the same.
Comments on RugbyPass
Can someone fill me in please, I've read a number of Ben Smith articles now and it seems he's got something again South Africa? Surely, this game was over and done with 7 months ago. Can't we have something a bit more interesting and relevant, or is this the calibre of journalist on this site?
227 Go to commentsNot sure what the Welsh are moaning about. They’ve had far more players off England, than England have had off Wales. Guys like Josh Hathaway and Kane James will play for Wales in the end. And they’ll be fsr better players for having played in the Gallagher Premiership, than they ever would have been had they stayed mired in the shambles that is Welsh rugby.
3 Go to commentsThis is all being blown totally out of proportion. First of all, since half the Irish team isn’t Irish - it’s very likely that none of the Irish players said that at all and, thus, we’re not being arrogant. Second, since half the Irish team is Kiwi - it’s very likely the Kiwi players were predicting a NZ SA World Cup final. Which they got spot on. Good on them!
163 Go to commentsAha. An Irishman with logic! Follow the flow: - Ireland peaks with a >80% win record between 2020 and 2023. And then… - crashes out of another QF at the WC; - Beat a poor French Team; - Beat 6N wooden spoonists Italy; - Play shite against eventual wooden spoonists Wales; - Lose against the most boring, “the worst English team ever” , a team widely regarded as unable to attack; - scrape through against Scotland. This article, No - Trimble, is on the money! Except for one glaring statement: _The Springboks have a few aces in the hole in this debate being the reigning world champions and official world number ones_ There is no debate, boys and girls. There it is. In black and white. “Reigning World Champions and OFFICIAL world number ones”. Come July, the overrated Andy Farrell and this overhyped team are going to enter into a world of hurt.
86 Go to commentsI’d like to know what homoerotic events Daniel enjoyed at 8th man. I clearly missed out!
19 Go to commentsThis article is missing some detail, like some actual context or info about what led to him abusing the ref.
2 Go to comments*They used to say that football is a gentleman sport watched by hooligans and rugby is a hooligan sport watched by gentlemen. How times have changed.*
3 Go to commentsexcept ot wasnt late wasnt late at all so dont know why you all saying its late he commits early and its your fault fir not paying attention
29 Go to commentsNot sure the Bulls need another average utility back in their ranks. Chamberlain has been ok for the Sharks but is by no means an X-Factor player. Bulls bought several utility backs which they barely use. A typical example would be Henry Immelman who plays mostly Fullback. The Bulls however have rarely played him this year and he has played wing or centre. Bulls want to build depth but seems like they have too many surplus players
1 Go to commentsABs lost against a side playing without a hooker - The guy playing, had one shoulder. Line outs were a gimme for the ABs, and the last 8 minutes 14 played 14 against a team that had been smashed 3 weeks in a row… Yet with all that possession, with all that territory, with all the advantages they actually had, especially in the last 8 minutes, they couldn’t buy a point. Those last 8 minutes determined if they outplayed the Boks or not. History will show that the Boks completely outplayed the ABs, especially in those last 8 minutes, the business end of any rugby match
227 Go to commentsWould’ve, could’ve, should’ve, didn’t.
227 Go to commentsKok will become a fan favourite
1 Go to commentsI am really looking forward to Leigh Halfpenny playing his first Super rugby game for the Crusaders Playing a long side his former Welsh and Scarlets team mate Johnny McNicoll.Johnny has been playing great, back in a Crusaders jersey.The attack has strengthened big time. Also looking forward to David Havili at 10. David is a class act, it also allows Dallas McLeod to remain at 12. A good thing.
1 Go to commentsIf he had stopped insisting on playing in the backrow, instead of wing, where everyone told him he should, he would have been a Bok years ago….
11 Go to comments‘Salads don’t win scrums’ 😂 I love that.
19 Go to commentsCan’t wait for the article that talks about misogyny in Ireland. Somehow.
19 Go to commentsI would like to see a rule change, when the attacking team is held up over the try line, by allowing the defensive team to restart a goal line drop out releases the pressure for the defensive team, but what if the attacking team had to restart a tap 5m out from the defensive team it gives the attacking team to apply more pressure, there are endless options for the attacking side and it will keep the fans in suspence.
2 Go to commentsLess modern South African males predictably triggered.
19 Go to commentsMy heart is with Quins, but the head is convinced Toulouse have too much. Ntamack is back, his timing and wisdom has been missed.
1 Go to commentsWow, what a starting line up for the Sharks) Tasty up front,kremer vs Tshituka or venter …fiery ,,Lavannini ,,will he knobble etzebeth? Biggest game for belleau?
1 Go to comments