Latest NZ defeat confirms malaise in Aussie rugby
THE malaise that blighted Australia’s top rugby players throughout Super Rugby has now well and truly ensconced itself in the national team following their sixth successive defeat in their Rugby Championship loss to the All Blacks on Saturday.
Michael Cheika’s side were beaten 29-9 at the Wellington Regional Stadium and while they were more combative than in the 42-8 loss the previous week, the niggly, negative tactics earned little respect from rugby fans or their local media.
Cheika attempted to divert attention from the loss, and style of play, by criticising referee Romain Poite and suggesting All Blacks prop Owen Franks had been guilty of eye gouging.
In reality, however, the Wallabies were again simply outplayed with their game plan designed to minimise the damage and prevent another thrashing in a match that doubled as part of the Bledisloe Cup series between the two sides.
To that extent the tactics worked, though it really only papered over some worrying cracks that are signs of deeper issues within Australian rugby as they fight for relevance in a crowded sporting marketplace.
While those issues will need a more strategic view, it will be interesting to see if the Wallabies can at least fix some of their on-field problems in time for their next match against the Springboks in Brisbane on September 10. The Wallabies’ set piece has fallen apart in the last two weeks. They lost four lineouts on their own throw on Saturday and did not get enough clean ball to attack with from the lineouts they did win.
All Blacks hooker Dane Coles also suggested the visitors were not interested in scrummaging, instead preferring to try to milk penalties from Poite. What the immensely strong set pieces from South Africa and Argentina make of that observation will be interesting to watch as the Rugby Championship progresses.
Player depth continues to be a major issue for the two-time world champions and injuries have only highlighted their glaringly inadequate international playing stocks.
Three immensely creative players who could spark something at inside centre – Kurtley Beale, Matt Giteau and Matt Toomua – are among those who are out injured.
First-choice flyhalf Bernard Foley, so instrumental in their run to the World Cup final last year, sat too deep last week in Sydney and has kicked poorly in both games.
The gamble of recalling enigmatic flyhalf Quade Cooper, who looked vulnerable and indecisive in all of his previous 10 matches against the world champions, failed to pay dividends. Cooper again struggled with the speed and intensity of the All Blacks defenders and rarely appeared at first receiver. The unpredictability of his game, which could tear teams apart when he was at his best, has also largely disappeared since he suffered a bad knee injury at the 2011 World Cup. Instead of challenging defenders or trying to create any doubt in the line, his default reaction is to shovel the ball on, which creates issues in the midfield as players get cramped or forced across field.
Despite those issues, Cheika said he felt he had seen enough from Cooper and Foley on Saturday to consider sticking with the partnership in the future, though what he does with the No 13 jersey is another issue.
Centres Tevita Kuridrani and Samu Kerevi, whose selections have been based on their ability to get beyond the gain line, have consistently failed to do so and been error-prone.
One positive for the Wallabies continues to be the ball-pilfering abilities of their loose forward trio, though Michael Hooper’s previously under the radar, off-the-ball cheap shots were noticed on Saturday. – Reuters
WE run the rule over the Springboks after their narrow 26-24 defeat to Argentina at the Estadio Padre Ernesto Martearena on Saturday.
He sometimes looked good when he joined the line as he found space. Made some crucial tackles. But his handling was dicey at times and we saw a little too much of that “let me kick and hope for the best” kicking.
His monster kicks to touch relieved great pressure and he was solid on defence. Good under the high ball. Didn’t have any real chances with the ball. Left the field in the 33rd minute with an injury.
Messed up one of the few good things Elton Jantjies did (after he put the Boks into the Argentina 22 with a superb touchfinder) when he got penalised for not rolling away after a Pumas lineout. Looked a bit more comfortable in the Bok jersey but saw very little ball and didn’t do much on defence, except for his try-saving tackle. Why the grubber in the Argentina 22?
How could he lose the ball like that with the tryline screaming at him? Conceded a breakdown penalty in the second quarter. Again took contact when passing was the better option.
Very quiet in the first 40. Came across from the opposite wing to ground the ball after the hosts looked sure to score again just before half-time. Showed glimpses of his former self on attack in the second half. Good under the high ball. Superb effort to try and stop Juan Manuel Leguizamon’s try. But missed a tackle that led to the first try.
Poor tactical and goal kicking. His decision-making was questionable.
Some good moments were erased by some poor decision-making and sloppy play. A lot of his kicks went way too deep. Looked better in the second stanza.
Conceded a few penalties. One nice run. Made a few good tackles. He went from rucking and tackling last week like it was going out of fashion to grabbing opponents around the neck and conceding a ruck penalty for side entry in Salta.
Too slow to the breakdowns. Looked better in the second half, but he still hasn’t justified his inclusion. Granted, that was a beautiful offload in Habana’s try. Looked good at the lineouts initially, but his work at the set-piece gradually became less effective. Was good defensively and saved a certain try when he pushed a Pumas player into touch just short of the tryline. Did well to get the pass away to Louw before Habana’s try.
Average scrummaging, but he made too many defensive errors including when he came off his line which led to Joaquin Tuculet’s try.
Captain… of what exactly? Most of the times I saw him he was just loitering around the breakdowns. Worked a bit more in the second half. Gave
Won a much-needed turnover to get the Boks out of boiling water in the third quarter. He should be starting.
“Mr Reliable” missed his first penalty kick when he came on. Also missed a conversion and a drop goal attempt. His decision-making also left much to be desired. Not so reliable after all.
Was very involved when he came on. Hot and cold on defence but looked good with ball in hand. Didn’t get many chances.