I wasn't sure where to post this, but here will do.
Was just looking at some highlights from the Samoa match last year and I think it's pretty telling how bad the Australian forwards can be at times.
There was a play where the ball went out wide from a ruck to Gerrard who passed back inside to McCabe.
From that tackle the ruck was then cleared out by Giteau and AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper), with Ioane picking up the ball (with Phipps behind, so 6/7 backs involved in this passage of play) and then hitting it up, swarmed by several Samoan defenders (mostly forwards) and held up while AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) and McCabe went into try and help rip back the ball.
Eventually the ref blew up for a penalty for an earlier offside.
But during this entire 20 seconds (that's right, 20 seconds) of play not a single Wallaby forward is in sight. Not a single one.
Not only do they not attend to either of the tackle contests, but none of them are even within sight of the camera.
What the hell were they doing? What are they being instructed to do?!
Responding to criticism from Scotland coach Andy Robinson that Australia should have moved the ball around more, Deans said key men like Barnes had work ahead of them.
"It was just the elements of cohesion. To use the ball effectively you've got to have a greater understanding of direction and shape and we lacked that," Deans said.
"... Combinations and so forth came up short in the first instance.
"They're back in the groove of Test rugby for sure.
"For anyone who forgot the distinction it's very large in their minds now."
What I saw it suggest - which I've been seeing more and more of from our one-eyed friends across the dutch - is that clearly it's the players who aren't good enough because, hey, he's a kiwi
I'm beginning to suspect Deans only surrounds himself with yes men much like JON.
The losing against teams we should probably win against groove is becoming a comfortable fit. It's getting out of that groove that's the problem.
I'm beginning to suspect Deans only surrounds himself with yes men much like JON. This goes for players as well as staff. The problem is people stop solving the issues they’re confronted with on or off the field and wait for direction from above. Many people thought Deans was coming with answers but he hasn’t, in reality its just gets down to hard work and good communication with those around you. clearly the Wallabies need more.
Unless Deans puts on a Wallabies jersey and runs out onto the field I think he better start encouraging those around him to be more proactive and accountable for their results in their specialized line of work. be it player or staffer…
Deans talks a lot of giberish. It's funny. He is the code master.
Deans said the Wallabies would attempt to play an attacking style."We're not going out there just to participate; we're going out there to attack and out of necessity, to be successful in that attack and be able to turn that scoreboard over,” he said.