The Wallabies gave the American Eagles an expected thumping at Wellington’s Cake Tin last night.
It was not so much the fact that we chalked up a handsome 67–5 win over a second-string Septic selection, but the high price we paid in achieving that result.
At this stage it looks like the Wallabies may have permanently lost at least two centres (Horne and McCabe), and a group of other players are now on the ever-lengthening injured list (Ant Faingaa — concussion, Palu — hamstring, KB — groin strain). Today, the 30-man squad has 19 fit players.
The big question on everyone’s lips is — who would be the potential replacements? Ben Tapuai? Matt Giteau? Mark Gerrard? There’s certainly a case for Deans to ‘eat crow’ and bring across a specialist no. 7 in lieu of one of these injuries. With Pocock being unavailable for the last two matches our breakdown work has been seriously diminished.
It’s become glaringly obvious that Ben McCalman, through no fault of his own, just hasn’t the capacity to magically turn into an international openside overnight.
It’s time for Matt Hodgson or Beau Robinson. Probably the former, although interestingly, I thought that Irishman Sean O’Brien (who isn’t normally a no. 7) played a very similar game to Robinson in last week’s win over the Wallabies.
The condition’s for last night’s match in Wellington were near-perfect for running rugby. It’s a pity it wasn’t like that last week when I was there!
The Septics easily won the anthem contest with a passionate rendition of Star Spangled Banner. In fact, so pumped was one of their props I thought he was having a breakdown. In contrast, the Wallabies struggled to open their mouths, as if embarrassed by singing in mixed company….
It was obvious who the crowd had come to support — ABBA. No, there wasn’t a concert in the railyards next door — Anyone But Bloody Australia. Although there seemed to be plenty of green and gold amongst the crowd (including G&GR minor celebrities Moses and Mr Timms), they were constantly drowned out by the American haka ‘USA, USA, USA, USA’.
The US of A was captained by an ersatz American, Tim Usasz from BrisVegas. Usasz, nicknamed ‘The Russian’, was a Red Heavy. Now, work that one out?
How did the Wallabies go? Did they redeem themselves? Yes and no. They gave the second-string Septics a predictable bashing but you can’t really gauge improvement in a game like this. I reckon it would have been a whole lot better if we were up against much stronger opposition, like the Italians for instance.
This game wasn’t really much of a workout for our forwards. If you look at the stats, the pack didn’t actually have to do any hard graft. They easily won their set piece which created the platform for the backs to run riot. Of the eleven tries scored only Rocky’s was a forward’s touchdown (DK was on the wing for his).
One of the best moments of the match was when the American no. 8 JJ Gagiano scored off a five metre scrum. How did that happen? The American scrum was shoved backwards at a great rate of knots but Gagiano skilfully controlled the ball at the back and took off down the blindside for the line. Rocky was still shoving when he ran past to score. Where Eagles dare….
Apart from that minor blemish, Rocky had a great game as the style of play and level of opposition allowed him to roam wider than normal. He was a devastating runner in possession.
Adam Ashley-Cooper won the trifecta and a confirmation that his form yips are well and truly over. He was outstanding — pace, strength, fend, angles etc. No doubt he’ll be a serious candidate for a return to the centres.
Another who impressed was Berrick Barnes. When he came on for KB just before half-time (slotting in at no. 10) he straightened up the attack and our kicking game immediately improved. Not only tactical kicking, but goal kicking as well. A poor return of 2 for 6 was upped in the second half to 4 from 5. The drums will be rightly beating for a return to the First XV.
As for Public Enemy No. 1, he had a mixed night. This is the sort of game he revels in. Goddam it, he plays it fast and loose! There were mistakes aplenty to start with but later on some sublime running and passing, from fullback in particular.
Nathan Sharpe dominated the lineouts and led the forward exchanges. He ended up captaining the side when Genia went off. The Wallaby scrum completely dominated the Eagles pack. If it had been the other way round we would have been penalised off the park. Funny that?
Despite all the injury disruptions this was a comprehensive win. The match finished like this: 15 Cooper 14 Samo 13 AAC 12 Faingaa 11 Mitchell 10 Barnes 9 Burgess 8 Simmons 7 McCalman 6 TPN 5 Sharpe 4 Vickerman 3 Kepu 2 Moore 1 Slipper (Sharpe, McCalman and Mitchell being the only players remaining in their original selected position).
McCabe has a dislocated shoulder, Horne a fractured cheekbone (a real shame as he looked impressive after returning from yet another injury), Faingaa concussion after hitting Chris Wyles’s knee in a tackle, KB groin strain and Palu a hamstring.
Oh, the Septics? The Russian was a livewire whose decision-making was sound and in the circumstances Gagiano showed skill and courage. Unfortunately they were completely outclassed.
Australia 67 (Ashley-Cooper 3, Faingaa 2, Elsom, Horne, Samo, Beale, Mitchell, McCabe tries; Barnes 4 conv, Cooper 2 conv) defeated USA 5 (JJ Gagiano try)
