Bowside - as you might or might not have noticed, I have posted many times on the kicking subject you raise, and btw I agree with every word of your post.
Even more noteworthy:
(i) who did the recent ABs have as their full-time kicking and catching coach? None other than one Mick Byrne. Where did he come from? Australia. Which code: AFL.
(ii) which code has by far the most accurate, long distance kicking skills (in the world) that each player must master from both feet and are always highly game-determining: AFL. On our f-ing doorstep in every state.
(iii) are there readily accessible AFL kicking skills coaches rugby could recruit for the whole Aus set-up. Ummm, yes.
Just look at the average standards of all of accuracy, distance and left-right boot versatility of most Aus S15 and Wallaby kickers. We're kicking more than ever, and our standards are actually very poor. How many top rugby games are won or lost via good or bad kicks? Large numbers: think RWCs '03 and '11, think 2012 ABs v Ireland 2 and Wallabies v Wales 2. Look at the scoring potency of Gerrard's consistent ability to kick a penalty from midfield to within 5 meters of his oppo's line. How many Aus kickers can do this - very, very few.
And so on...