No games to glory: the credibility gap in Australian rugby Paul Cully
October 18, 2011 - 9:23AM
In the 29th minute of the Wallabies' comprehensive defeat by a relentless New Zealand on Sunday, Pat McCabe took the ball off an attacking lineout move and ran straight and hard at All Blacks five-eighth Aaron Cruden. The 22-year-old pivot brought him to the ground with a textbook low tackle.
It shone a light, yet again, on the decision to absolve Quade Cooper of his defensive duties. But even more importantly,
it highlighted that, in five key positions through the spine of side – at No.10, fullback, tight-head prop, second row and No.8 – the Wallabies were being beaten not only by better prepared players, but younger ones. And that - aside from the tactical and selection issues - goes to the heart of why there are questions about the credibility of the current Australian set-up.
Until Sunday, Wallabies fans had been asked to sign up to an unwritten contract with Australian rugby. Accept 10 straight losses to your bitterest rivals, we have them covered in the long game. Put up with losses to England, Scotland and Munster, the new guys are getting closer. Live with the degradation of Australia's Test record for the bigger picture, because in all of those defeats lessons are being learnt by a developing side that will translate into World Cup success. But the pot at the end of that rainbow has turned out to contain something murkier than gold.
Unfortunately,
a sense of breached trust had been introduced even before the tournament with the re-signing of Robbie Deans. It might have been done with the best of intentions – to keep a coveted coach in the fold - but it created the perception that the goalposts had been shifted. That this team might not actually be at its best until another two years, the 2013 Lions tour – so just stick with us.
There are no guarantees that this Wallabies side can eradicate its frailties simply by observing the passage of time. The average age of the Wallabies starting XV on Sunday was 26 years. The average age of the All Blacks was 27.6 years. It is not a chasm.
Yes, the hosts were helped by contributions from their older warriors (especially from the bench), but the spark equally came from the likes of Israel Dagg and Owen Franks. Like that pair, Sam Whitelock - unchallenged in the lineouts - is also 23. Kieran Read is younger than Digby Ioane. New Zealand have won the past four Junior World Championships. They do not give the impression of a nation standing idle and waiting to be overtaken.
Elsewhere in the tournament outstanding youngsters were repeatedly seen blossoming in other colours, the red of Wales in particular. Ireland unearthed Sean O'Brien, 24, a brute around whom they can build a future and England unleashed Manu Tuilagi, just 20. These players are not going to stand still over the next two years before the Lions tour in 2013. Those who frame odds as a profession might struggle to favour Australia at this stage, especially with the Wallabies props' reputation still sitting just above that of journalists. Another promise unfulfilled.
It does not help Deans that the Wallabies suffered more at Eden Park more than could have been predicted. Amnesia seemed to have swept over those predicting an Australian win – they were a shade fortunate to progress so far - but the manner in which they were beaten still surprised.
Fatigue was clearly a factor but it does not go the whole way to explaining consistently poor body position among the forwards - way too upright – and a first-half game plan that was two years out of date.
The All Blacks back three have been remodelled since the Springboks caused Joe Rokocoko and Sitiveni Sivivatu all manner of misery in 2009 with their aerial inquisitions. Safety under the high ball is now a prerequisite for the wingers.
The clue was in Cory Jane's selection – a converted fullback – yet Will Genia kicked to him on three occasions – in the 2nd, 16th and 32nd minute for the same result.
Even if the Wallabies had forced some midfield knock-ons from the All Blacks it was unclear what the benefit could be - the scrum was the one area where inferiority was almost guaranteed. The Wallabies have some wonderful runners – Ioane in particular – and the All Blacks will have been mightily relieved to see him consigned to a Bryan Habana role of kick chaser.
As for Cooper, it is hard not to feel some sympathy for him. His year has been complicated by the fact that he won a title for the Reds while being hidden in defence. What was good for Queensland was not good for the national cause. Had he defended in the No.10 channel all year more complete assessments about his readiness for the World Cup furnace could have been made. Instead, he turned up at the tournament with his chin hanging out but telling anyone who would listen he could take the punches. Perhaps a more centralised approach is called for, especially in World Cup years.
Not that it actually did the player any favours. A tried and tested route out of poor form with the ball in hand is some decent work without it, but that avenue has been shut down to Cooper this year. Instead,
he was left isolated at the back on Sunday night and mercilessly targeted, surrounded by the mocking taunts of his former countrymen in the stands. Whether one finds him arrogant or misunderstood has no relevance to the rugby debate, but it was obvious to everyone from the Ireland game onwards that he was badly out of form.
Assurances to the contrary started to reflect badly on those who issued them.
Already, calls have been made to review the coaching set-up and they are entirely justified. Now the third-place play-off game awaits against Wales on Friday and any effort to disregard it as a complete nonsense must be avoided. Every opportunity to restore the faith must be grasped, especially by those who have pulled the strings to such disappointing effect over the past four years. Progress has been questionable and the natives are restless.
Read more:
http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-union/r...alian-rugby-20111018-1ltzd.html#ixzz1b5pqdxFR
