We still lost, but there were a few signs of improvement and at least we scored a couple of tries. Here are my ten observations about Saturday’s game after watching it a second time.
1. We still lost… comfortably
Don’t like starting on a downer, but I think it is nonetheless necessary. Yes there are many positives to come out of the game, but don’t forget that the ABs beat us pretty comfortably. Without Carter, McCaw and Conrad Smith they still managed to score points at will, and while we did well we were never a serious threat. So we can embrace the positives, but let’s not get too carried away. We still have a long way to go before we can challenge the Kiwis.
2. It’s all about the halves
This was one of the two major positives of the night. Ewen McKenzie is trying to play a fast and loose game plan, which suits our lighter forward pack. That places a lot of pressure on your Nos.9 and 10, who have to make quick, good decisions at every ruck. Up until the Argentina game both Genia and Cooper were off the boil in both of these aspects. But the worm has turned, and it is no coincidence that our 9 and 10 have both been at the forefront of this resurgence.
3. Kuridrani a standout, again
If you had told me at the start of the year that Tevita Kuridrani would have nailed down the Wallaby No.13 jersey at the end of the Rugby Championship I probably would have laughed, and then replied ‘who?’ His rise has been meteoric to say the least. All of a sudden he is looking world class in both attack and defence, and he made mincemeat of Ben Smith (although Ben was clearly out of his depth at 13). Have we finally found our next Mortlock?
4. Where were the tight five?
Rob Simmons and Steve Moore were OK, but once again our tight five was outmuscled and outplayed. Surely it is time for a few changes. James Slipper has been consistently mediocre, and James Horwill is clearly off the pace. Our depth in these positions is limited, but Benn Robinson and Sitaleki Timani have been putting in good work off the bench, and deserve to have a crack in a starting jumper.
5. Lineout success
One aspect of our game that has been very polished this RC has been the lineout. The Kiwis pinched one off us on Saturday, but that was the only blot on our copybook. In fact in the last five games, on their own throw the Wallabies have won 67 and lost only five, for a success rate of 93 per cent. If you take away the game against Argentina in Perth (played in terrible conditions) that number rises to 96 per cent. A very impressive figure considering two of those five games were played against the Boks. Stephen Moore’s throwing has been almost flawless, and Mowen and Simmons have also done their jobs.
6. Quade’s kicking
How good was it? One of the best place-kicking performances I have ever seen. Every kick went high, long and straight over the black dot. Considering the cacophony of booing he had to deal with this was particularly impressive. Christian who?
7. Craig Joubert
I didn’t think he was as bad as a few have made out. He made a few errors, but they roughly equalled out over the course of the game. He is the best in the world at facilitating a free-flowing game, and that is exactly what unfolded under his watch on Saturday.
8. The kick-off
It’s amazing how this has changed so radically even this year. Kickers are now so adept at putting up contestable kicks that regaining your own kick-off is almost a 50/50 prospect. We chose to go long on a few occasions (how retro) but in the end it was a good tactic, securing us a lineout inside the ABs half more often than not. We struggled to deal with the Kiwis kicks, but they were so well-placed that it made them very, very hard to claim.
9. Size matters
Robbie Deans was derided by many for repeatedly picking Sitaleki Timani. But looking at the game on the weekend, it was easy to understand why he made the decision. We looked so small and the ABs dominated us at almost every contest. McCalman and Mowen worked hard, but couldn’t make any headway with ball in hand. Yes Timani has his flaws but you can understand the desire to have someone out there who can physically hurt the opposition.
10. Rugby fatigue?
The TV audience was low, and so was the interest level. This website is winding down for the year, with many writers struggling to find the motivation to crank out an article (myself included). Obviously the code needs the financial boost that comes with these fixtures, but I have to say I am ready for the off-season. The EOYT games will be interesting, but forgive me for not devoting too much time to them. I am ready for a break.
What do you think?
