Author: Matt Rowley

It’s undeniable, 2009 was the year of the Saffas; Super 14, Tri-Nations and the Lions. What’s also undeniable was the extreme game-plan that the Springboks employed along the way; a game-plan that exploited a unique set of new IRB laws through their talents – both established and emerging. What has this meant for rugby, and more importantly, how do you beat it in 2010? When watching the Springboks this year you had a good impression at how differently they were playing the game, but it’s only when you look at the resultant stats reports from the IRB that you realise…

It wasn’t a great year for Australian rugby presents: no Super 14 finalists, last in the Tri-Nations and a botched Grand Slam attempt. The scrum and the breakdown eventually provided a few stocking fillers, but the kids aren’t impressed! Here’s to Santa upping his game in 2010. There’s more to come between Christmas and New Year as an antidote to your dysfunctional family and friends. Feel free to come by and drop some good horror stories below. Have a good one – from all at G&GR Send your own ElfYourself eCards

There’s been an interesting discussion going on in the forum about James O’Connor’s 2009 as a Wallaby. Was it a gamble on youthful talent that paid off, or did it expose inexperience at crucial times? Longer term, where do his skills fit into the Wallabies, and is he the right package of a player for the modern game? Here’s a few clips to help the discussion. [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EJapxqS3-pE[/youtube]

As you can see in our 2009 highlights package, we’re pretty frikken proud of our Wallaby scrum. Minus a few dodgy ref calls earlier in the season, they’ve taken apart nigh on all-comers, blooding a brand new tight head prop along the way. But how can we quantify how well they’re doing? Below are some pretty fascinating stats, within which lie a few tales. The stats come from Gary Gold’s blog Rugby IQ. Gary’s the Springbok Assistant Coach and ex forwards coach of the Stormers. He writes an excellent post, backed up with stats and reasoning that really gives you…

While some might say “Do they really stretch past 4  minutes?”, I reckon they hint at the potential in this Australian team. Pump up the volume and enjoy. [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ckWM8d1VD9g[/youtube]

Final Score: Baabaas 25 – All Blacks 18

In most games you’d be happy to see maybe three or four steals like this, but 8 in a game? Simply outstanding. [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iXLYBa5YIqw[/youtube] Q: How does Dingo choose between these two talents? A: He doesn’t have to.

On Saturday evening in Cardiff the pieces finally fell together on this tour and we saw another glimpse  of what we hope this Wallaby team might be regularly capable of. Below are the highlights, together with a few thoughts on the game. [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EAH3SP5l8OE[/youtube] Yet again the forwards led the way with the Wallaby scrum notching up yet another scalp,

SEE FULL HIGHLIGHTS HERE It’s just the first half, so you’ll only see the Wallabies score 3 tries in this clip….. [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CaKzlewbsY4[/youtube]

Something to whet the appetite ahead of tomorrow’s game. [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f7LvrlbvMwU[/youtube]

On the surface it might look like there’s not a lot for the Wallabies to play for in this game – the Grand Slam is long gone and there’s not exactly a winning record to protect. I suspect there may also be more than a few players, coaches and administrators fantasizing about the end of season sun back home. But those are dangerous thoughts to have before a game that will dictate the whole complexion of this tour. A win, and this is a reasonably successful trip, with just one loss (let’s just forget against who…). A loss, and this…

Here are a few interviews from after the Cardiff Blues match. Robbie Deans (get your Dingo Bingo out), Dean Mumm and George Smith were first up at the press conference. The guy who keeps banging on about the breakdown is me. Powered by Podbean.com After that we had Quade just outside the change sheds.  He and AAC seem to be darlings of the Aussie media at the moment. What’s clear is that he loves playing footy! Powered by Podbean.com

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Final Score: Cardiff Blues 3 – Wallabies 31 Tries: Beale 2, Cross, Morahan For blow by blow account:

Many people have “anxiety dreams”; for example that they’re on a bus naked, or sitting an exam with no preparation. This morning, the Wallabies awoke to find that their anxiety dream had come true – they had lost to Scotland. I struggle to think of an occasion when I’ve seen a side with so much possession and so many attacking opportunities, against an opponent with no meaningful attack, lose with a miserly 8 points to show for their effort. The Wallabies even managed to actually fall over the try-line twice more, but on their backs. That’s innovation! If you planned…

Here’s an interview with Benn Robinson and Stephen Moore from the Wallabies. It’s from Chasing the Glory, where you’ll find more interviews and insights from the Wallabies on the Grand(ish) Slam tour. For part two

The Australian team to take on the Sweaties has been announced and it’s very little change from Dingo Deans. Bam Pocock gets a full rest, ready for Wales next weekend. This brings Smith into the run on side and Richard Brown onto the bench. The only other change is Sekope Kepu replacing Matt Dunning on the pine. The Wallabies team

For me, the stars from last week were the piggies and no apologies for a focus on the breakdown and scrum in the package. They also highlight what a belter David Pocock had. Enjoy. [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rGKk38073ng[/youtube]

As I write this, my stomach remains in knots. Born of raw excitement from a game that hung in the balance until the final minute, now drowned in a new flavour of bitter disappointment that only this year’s Wallabies could invent; to be ruled out of a Grand Slam through a draw, enforced by the 6 Nations Champions in the very last play of the match. If I’d said to you before the match that in this game Rocky the returning hero would grab the lead through a try, only for the 100 test veteran and Irish rugby god, Brian…

Final Score: Ireland 20 – Australia 20 Ireland Tries Bow, O’Driscoll. Conversions: O’Gara 2, Penalties: O’Gara 2 Australia Tries: Mitchell, Elsom. Conversions: Giteau 2, Penalties: Giteau 2 For blow by blow build up and then disappointment