This week the Top 5 looks at some promising signs for the Wallabies, takes aim at the circus that is Australian Rugby right now and looks back on a successful NRC grand final.
Positive signs for the Wallabies
So what do the stats from Game 3 show?
Well they actually paint a very interesting picture. Compared to games 1 and 2 they show a Wallabies team that has vastly improved. More running, less kicking, more offloading, line breaks and defenders beaten. Interestingly we didn’t come close to the number of turnovers won – a result of Pocock coming off the bench maybe?
Not only do our stats look good compared to the previous matches, but they also look pretty damn good compared to the All Blacks. The Wallabies have actually come out on top in some areas.
So a couple of interesting things worth looking at:
* There is still a question over why the Wallabies aren’t producing more when they have so much of the possession. 65% compared to 35% is a huge difference, and means that even in the areas of the stats where we are close to the AB’s, they are achieving it with almost half the possession the Wallabies have. So they are clearly much more efficient in their use of the ball.
* The number of turnovers conceded is still a big worry. Yes, Matt Todd had a blinder at the breakdown, but things won’t get any easier when Sam Cane comes back into the picture. Or there is Ardie Savea as another option. Clearly the Wallabies need to work on their ball security.
* With so little possession where did all the All Blacks tries come from? Lets have a look …
Try 1 –a kick by Foley gave possession back to the AB’s
Try 2 – Wallabies knock on gave NZ scrum which resulted in a penalty their way and then a lineout in the 22
Try 3 – Charge down
Try 4 – Knock on, length of the field try
Try 5 – Turnover at the breakdown
Try 6 – Mumm intercept, clean break, knock on, NZ run it down field, Wallabies steal it, Foley kicks, ABs regain possession and break tackles to score
It is worth noting that most of the tries were length of the field efforts, starting from well inside their own half. There were few times when the All Blacks had the ball for multiple phases before scoring. Like I said, efficient. But the biggest observation … All of the tries came from the Wallabies handing the All Blacks possession, either through kicking or turnovers.
I’m sure it isn’t as simple as cut out the errors and we will beat them … but it looks like a good place to start.
It’s all about the game right?
So after a big build up and historic weekend of Wallaroos, Bledisloe and the NRC Final, we should have a sense of optimism that Rugby in Australia has put its best foot forward and maximised the opportunity of having three fantastic games, live, back to back and with limited opposition from other codes except the A-League.
How much better can it get? It’s what the game needs. Good quality product showcasing the game to advertise this fantastic sport, combined with the perfect opportunity levering off the Wallaroos, the Bledisloe Cup and the NRC Final. It’s the scenario marketing departments strive for, desire and dream about.
But no, sadly no.
There is a contemporary saying with origins derived from a similar 14th century saying that was used to convey the message that people should be judged not on how they look, but their actions. The beauty of the saying is its simplicity, and that it does not discriminate, differentiate nor apportion blame. It is unambiguous and clear in its intent.
Eight days ago ego reigned as rhetoric and hyperbole was transmitted. The media fed what scraps it could find to a hungry public of a battle of power, politics, popularity, ideology, history, with a good amount of self-interest with a few ex-Wallabies sprinkled on top.
That is what the public was reading, watching and hearing in the media – not the historic games on the weekend.
But then there was the “clown” incident post-game. Really? If it was the press doing Sam Allardyce to you Cheika I would have some sympathy. Spend a week with the pollies in Canberra and you will be subjected to more. The lesson here to understand is you wrote and sent out the invitations to the media. Some friendly advice that is often given to the new players at Parliament house; shut up and they have nothing to report.
Again, that is what the public is still reading, watching and hearing in the media – not the historic games on the weekend.
But let his masters be not blameless. Not only for allowing the dog to both bark and bite so to speak, but also to entertain the situation where poor performance has paved the way to this point. By the way Bill, I tried to do a search on the ARU website for the Wallaroos, you know, that Women’s national team? The one that is not mentioned on your website apart from a few news stories. You do run the game right?
As for the botched Intro and Anthem on live TV for the NRC Final; well as least ESPN was streaming it live so you could watch it internationally I will let Nick explain a little more about it below, but bottom line is the ARU should be the ringmasters with the NRC instead of offloading the responsibilities.
So again, what are the public reading, watching and hearing about rugby today? Anything about the games?
Many years ago Rugby turned professional. It was in description only as you can clearly see from the ARU, Wallabies coach, the team, the administration, Papworth and the Shute clubs, the Ex-Wallabies and previous game administrators and coaches; all who have been mentioned or played a part in this weeks pantomime’s and nothing but definitive proof that this game is a professional game full of amateurs.
Nothing served more as a clear warning of the publics distaste for these types of things than the Brumbies saga and Brumbies Board, who are now the “poster children” for public political infighting over personality issues and personal power. One of the results of which is that we keep reading in the media how badly it has wounded the Brumbies financially.
No one put the game first. No one put rugby first. No one put the future first. Not a single positive contribution.
Have a read of Nick’s piece below and you will see there is hope and options – already available. Professionals would be maximising the opportunities for the game, not wanting to just fix our “bit” or fling our poo at each other publically.
What has rugby advertised and marketed over the last 8 days? Was it a historic weekend of games?
Click on a news website, pick up a paper, watch the news or listen to the radio and then tell me.
I know that the British tabloids have jumped on the bandwagon and are licking their lips in anticipation of the arrival of the 3 ring circus. I also hear on social media that the Poms are starting a crowdfunding effort to buy 20,000 red noses!
Oh, that saying:
“Stupid is as stupid does!”
Perth’s victory in the NRC has WA Rugby happy as a pig in mud…(NICK WASILIEV)
Its optimistic times for the Force. The admin over in the west have been busy picking smart player and coaching talent, trying to turn the club’s fortunes around to show the value they have in the Super Rugby competition. Well, with them picking up the Mauritius Club 10s Championships earlier this year, WA rugby now has another trophy to add to their cabinet: The Toast Rack.
The Perth Spirit (affectionately nicknamed ‘The Piggies’) produced one of most impressive defensive efforts seen in Australian rugby this year, beating out a strong NSW Country side in Tamworth 20-16 to clinch their first ever NRC title. In what was a year where the NRC showcased the best Aussie domestic rugby had to offer (which is a lot, I might add), it seemed appropriate for the Piggies to overcome the impressive NSW teams and be the little team from the west that could.
I am from Country New South Wales. I was desperate for the Eagles to win. But, in what was a game played in great spirit (which was a breath of fresh air considering the Wallabies recent issues with referees and moments of foul play), I must concede that having the Spirit win it this particular year may be much better for the game as a whole in the long term. The boys from Perth, taking on the powerhouse states of Australian rugby and winning: what message does that send? Some may think of this negatively, but for me it shows that there is some talent is coming out of these clubs. Some damn good talent.
Grand Final Highlights: NSW Country vs Perth Spirit-
Not just talent in the form of extravagant playmakers. The Grand final was won, not in the backs, but in the forwards. In the days of Wallaby forwards often not matching up to other nation’s stronger forward packs, this display by two excellent forward packs was a joy to watch.
It’s been a wonderful season, not just for the players, but for the up-and-coming coaches and referees. In the first two seasons, over 50 NRC players went on to make their debut for Super Rugby sides (with that number set to increase into next year by a lot), and also has yielded a Super rugby coach in Nick Stiles, with many referees stepping into in the next league. Who knows where the competition will go? (As long as it brings the Country Eagles the Toast Rack next year, I’m happy).
…Well the pre-game was shit, but the rugby was the winner. (NICK WASILIEV)
Many people are blaming the ARU for the national anthem stuff up at the NRC grand final (even though the event was organised by the Eagles with help from the Tahs). My only worry was that it killed the TV numbers of people who changed the channel, but I’m looking on the bright side. At least the boys sung the anthem, and at least it didn’t become a viral sensation for all the wrong reasons, like the infamous ‘own try’ TMO blunder in the Rays-Stars game in 2014.
Earlier this year, Matt Burke wrote an interesting opinion piece about the NRC, where he viewed the competition (despite its good intentions), did have impact on players through the lack of focus on defence and kicking. Well, he’s got a point on the kicking front, but the NRC defence this year in several games has been top notch. The Rays demolition of the Vikings in round six on the back of their defence was one such example, another was the grand final. This game showed that the NRC is not all about extravaganza try-scoring fests: the grand final was an old-school grind out of the highest order.
It’s fair to say, that for all the small blunders, the wonderful volunteers of Tamworth did a great job of showing us what it was all about: that great contest between two teams. It was a night where rugby was the winner, and it was undoubtedly the best highlight on what had been a woeful night for our other professional teams. I’d even go so far to say that this during this entire season, while the Wallabies have been slaving away and churning out disappointing performances that have increasingly disconnected the Aussie rugby public, the NRC has certainly put some hope and optimism back into the hearts of many Aussie rugby fans.
There is a storm brewing, but Fox Sports may prove the saviour….(NICK WASILIEV)
Well, in the last week Australian rugby has been a tough pill to swallow for many fans. The tensions between the ARU and club rugby has now reached breaking point (I’m amazed it’s taken this long, given the consistently negative relationship these bodies have had). It seemed ironic that on the eve of our anniversary of our last victory at Eden Park, many former Wallabies came together to write a formal letter to the governing body. Some in QLD and NSW rugby have even threatened to run a rogue interstate competition to challenge the NRC next year.
It doesn’t seem like it’s resolving anytime soon, but even amongst this building storm, a small opportunity arose. Fox Sports made it clear they would not support a parallel competition to the NRC… but said they were open to the idea of a ‘best-of’ club competition, (comprising of the top four teams from the Sydney and Brisbane club competitions) occurring before the NRC kicks off, according to the Sydney Morning Herald. Everyone will have their own opinions on this, but MST and myself are planning to write a few articles in the coming weeks about ways to get club rugby involved and to expand and adapt the NRC to be even more beneficial than it already is.
But in regards to the storm in general. I know that many of the issues within club rugby and Australian rugby have been going for many, many years, with its origins embedded in events that occurred long before I was even born. But, it’s rearing it’s head now. And it’s something we have to fix. Now. We are a code at war with ourselves, with the ARU pushing a purely professional rugby agenda that forgets the importance of NUTURING GRASSROOTS TALENT, while club rugby believes they can fix everything by taking Australian rugby back to the way things were. Neither strategy will work. This is not healthy. No wonder we struggle against teams like New Zealand, at least they have a strategy that they apply to their entire union.
What kind of message does it send if people in club rugby and the ARU won’t listen to each other? Both sides need to recognise that the game has to change and adapt, but in doing so it must keep the elements that make it rugby. These factions have the SAME BLOODY GOAL! Get together. Smash it out. Find a solution. Be positive, and make Aussie rugby have a bright future. The NRC is an example of that future. It’s a step in a direction that we need to go.
I so often speak to people in club rugby heartlands who tell me the same thing: the game is dying, it’s not what it used to be, etc. We as governing body members, fans, players and coaches, have a choice. We can be pessimistic about the future, or we work together. It can be done.
