Wisemantel identifies Wallabies positions up for grabs as Cheika's Pumas loom
The Wallabies say their former coach Michael Cheika is making his mark on Argentina, who they face in two tests next month to open their Rugby Championship.
Wallabies assistant Scott Wisemantel is part of the brains-trust plotting to bring down Cheika, who steered the Pumas to a test series victory over Scotland in Argentina earlier this month.
The Australians, meanwhile, were disappointed in another series loss to Eddie Jones’ England.
Cheika headed the Wallabies for five years until the 2019 World Cup and was elevated to the top Argentina job this year, bringing on board former NRL star forward David Kidwell as his defence coach.
Wisemantel said the Pumas played more football against Scotland than relying on their traditional kicking game.
“They had a really good series against Scotland, obviously winning the series two to one,” said Wisemantel, with the Wallabies going into camp on Tuesday on the Gold Coast.
“The style … they’re playing a lot more rugby, they’re holding the ball for longer periods and they’re doing really well so they’ll test our defence.
“Conversely, from an attacking point of view, they’re filling the front field so there’s 13 in the front line and their spacing is really broad so we’ve got to come up with a plan to attack that.”
Wisemantel said that Cheika had evolved since his time at the Wallabies, with the likes of ex-New Zealand representative Kidwell contributing to that.
“You’re always going to have some philosophical points that you can lean on but Cheiks changed with these assistants.
“You look at all the all the coaches with longevity in any code – (Kevin) Sheedy, (Craig) Bellamy, I look at those sorts of coaches. They all evolve by turning over their assistants and Cheik’s done that as well with Argentina and they’re playing some good footy.”
Falling 21-17 in the deciding test against England, Wisemantel said the players would do a “hard review” before turning their minds to the opening match in Mendoza on August 7 (AEST).
He said the obvious learning was for the Wallabies to take their chances.
“We had two tries that went begging,” Wisemantel added. “The thing that the biggest difference between Super Rugby and test level is at test level you probably get four chances in a game, maximum.
“You got to take them so it’s good learning, it’s something that we’ve got to be better at.”
Wisemantel declared that two key positions – five-eighth and fullback – remained up for grabs.
Youngster Noah Lolesio started at 10 in all three England Tests following injury to Quade Cooper and James O’Connor out of sorts.
Tom Wright and Jordan Petaia are the frontrunners to play fullback.
“We don’t know – we want to see them come in, see them train, see them compete,” Wisemantel said of the contenders.
– Melissa Woods
Comments on RugbyPass
A 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?
11 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.
11 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
4 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.
24 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
4 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 commentsWell that’s the contracts for RG and Jordie bought and paid for. Now, what are the chances we can persuade Antoine to hop over with all the extra dosh we’ll have from living at the Aviva & Croke next season…??? 🤑🤑🤑
35 Go to commentsWow, that’s incredible. Great for rugby.
35 Go to commentsYou probably read that parling is going to coach the wallaby lineout but if not before now you have.
17 Go to commentsIf someone like Leo Cullen was in O’Gara’s place I don’t hear Boo-ing. It’s not just that La Rochelle has hurt Leinster and O’Gara is their Irish boss. It’s the needle that he brings and the pantomime activity before the game around pretending that Munster were supporting LaRochelle just because O’Gara is from Cork. That’s dividing Irish provinces just to get an advantage for his French Team. He can F*ck right off with that. BOOOOO! (but not while someone is lying injured)
4 Go to commentsDid the highlanders party too hard before the game? They were the pits.
1 Go to comments