I have now watched last night’s test, from sunny Seattle. My dodgy download has given me a chance to go over the game with a fine tooth comb, and I have these observations:
1. How good was that?
Too often as Wallaby fans we reach for the negatives before the obvious positives. We put 50 on a decent international side in our first game of the season! Hard not to crack a smile about that. The team played attractive, skilful rugby and will only improve. We have put down a marker for the 2014 season, which is shaping up to be a cracker.
2. Izzy the great
It has gotten to the stage where we now just assume Israel Folau will do incredible things when he touches the ball. But again there are times when you have to step back and say ‘wow’. The bloke is a freak and was my pick for MoTM. He beats a tackler every time, his passing and kicking game was good, and he made a number of crucial tackles and big cleanouts. He is close to the complete player, and we can’t take him for granted.
3. Hooker swap
Stephen Moore’s injury was a real bastard, but having a hooker of TPN’s quality coming off the bench was a lovely luxury to have. Can we finally put to bed the myth that he can’t throw straight? That might have been the case back in 2008-9, but he has been great for the Tahs for two or three seasons in that regard, and his performances in gold have been of similar standard. With Moore out we will get a chance to see what Nathan Charles is made of, which will no doubt please the rabid horde of Force fans.
4. Forward dominance
I thought our forward pack played perfectly to the game conditions last night. They were mobile and physical but also showed a lot of skill. James Slipper was outstanding, continuing his great Super form. Every other forward had big moments as well, and I also want to mention Sam Carter who justified his starting position with a brutally physical effort.
5. Negatives
I will try and amalgamate this into one point because a) there weren’t many and b) I want to keep the positive vibe rolling. Our kicking game needs work, both from the hand and from the tee. Our scrum was weak. Bernard Foley’s defence is suspect. The crowd was unusually (but not unexpectedly) small.
6. French flops
Let’s not forget, though, that the French were pretty shit. I expect them to raise their game significantly next week. They gifted us at least three tries with paper-thin defence, or plain old fuckups. They allowed us to have quick ball, and their defensive line was extremely passive. If they slow us down and tighten the game up it will bring them right back into the series.
7. Basic skills
The thing that struck me about last night was the quality of basic skills on display from the Wallabies. It was like one of Bob Dwyer’s wet dreams- passes out in front of the man, good alignment, support runners on both sides, great use of space and overlaps. We didn’t make many soft errors, and converted almost every one of our chances.
8. Rookie halves
That was the first time White and Foley had started together in a test, but you wouldn’t know it. I thought both played outstanding rugby, and the backline functioned extremely well- one of the best back performances in recent memory. Foley is small but unafraid to take the ball into contact, and his passing game was very good. White’s option taking was superb, and he threw a couple of ripper flat balls to forwards on the charge 3 and 4 out from the ruck.
9. Big game players
Test match rugby is a bloody tough slog. Some players can’t handle it, but others thrive. We are discovering more and more players who seem to produce their very best in Wallaby gold. Scott Fardy is clearly one of those players, as is Matt Toomua. Can we add Sam Carter to that list? Tough as old boots, he put on a number of big tackles and carried well. I’ll wait a few games before I pass judgement, but that was a very impressive debut.
10. Selection changes?
Link would be mad to change a thing (other than the obvious change at hooker). Every starting player had a good game, and we need to keep stability if we want to challenge the big dogs later in the year. The signs are good so far.
What do you think? Did I miss anything?
