I have been absent because I just can't be bothered anymore. I watched half of the AB game in Japan, and the performance was utter crap, unprofessional you could call it in the absolute lack of skill execution, but that has been an ongoing theme since they outperformed in 2015, and part of a continuous decline since 1999.
Now the Welsh game I actually recorded as part of the complete package of tests played last night. Out of all the games the Wallabies/Wales game had the lowest skill level and ability to generate some cohesive attack, even if we make the excuse of weather the execution of a traditional conservative kicking game which would have been sensible was beyond the Wallabies whose best efforts were to kick long down the centre of the field with no real chasers. The Welsh kicking was at least contestable. Gatland is an extremely limited coach really, this is the worst test side Australia has produced since professionalism by a long way, which is shown in the results and the actual play, and the best they can do is grind out a win by 3.
The complete lack of accountability for any aspect of performance has led the Wallabies to this point, accountability for not only the players in this squad but in coaching and even before that in the very management of the game in Australia since Professionalism burst in 1996. Since that time those at the trough have raped and pillaged the game and left nothing but scraps for the real development. The latest and I now hope final instalment of this is the obscene salaries of all at the trough, with no actual successful performance in sight, and nothing highlights this better than Hooper's 4-5 year deal for $Ms for a player not even the best in his position and not a Captain's asshole. A player involved in one of the most shameful episodes in Australian Rugby history, and the perpetrator of that gets to not only continue playing on, with money he also does not deserve but gets the right to make alterations to the jersey. The fact that Cheika has plenty of cash before he got this job somehow makes it less offensive that he is being paid to do a job he has no idea of how to actually achieve results, immediate or medium term. Forget the long term, at this rate they'll be lucky to pay the light bill. As for the others in the coaching box, Grey has presided over the worst defensive systems ever in Australian Rugby at both Super Level and Wallabies level since 2014 and 15 respectively, on what basis does he remain employed in that role? Likewise Larkham, he doesn't even have the benefit of ever coaching a team to real success in an attacking role, with the Brumbies best showings on the back of a forwards maul them to death system. He has no claim, what so ever to an elite coaching role.
The potential of this players available is far far greater than what the coaching staff is selecting, the tactics and systems they have and the final output we are seeing.
I do not expect that any other coach would have this side much better than 3rd or 4th in the world, but it is not too much to expect people being paid multiples of the median wage to actually perform at the job or be held accountable for it, and for some integrity in the systems of management so that people who transgress do not continue to represent the country and have access to the trough.
To look on the bright side if Cheika actually has an epiphany of honesty tonight and resigned along with Larkham and Grey admitting they have no idea what they are doing, extremely unlikely given they have no idea of how to analyse rugby, self awareness and honesty will be far beyond them, we have 4 more years of Hooper no matter what happens with the ridiculous contract he was offered. There is some absolute incompetence for you Raelene, exactly what you did at the Canterbury Bulldogs, and that extends the incompetence to Clyne (yet again) and the board (also yet again).
