It’s something of an irony that Folau Fainga’a – yellow-carded against Ireland – will face competition for his place next year from Tolu Latu: arguably Australian rugby’s boss of ill discipline.
Such are Dave Rennie’s options. But, the Wallabies coach – a gentleman and a defender of his players – needs more stick and less carrot for Fainga’a’ and Co, who continually let the Wallabies down with pointless acts of ill discipline.
There has been too much leeway given to repeat offenders, and too few hard consequences – Darcy Swain serving half of his suspension while supposedly missing Australia games is a case in point.
2. Upcoming Wales Test is one too far.
We’ve been banging on about this for a while, and we won’t let it go: this five-Test tour was a player welfare hazard from the day it was announced, and it’s no surprise that Wallabies players are breaking down all over the place.
No one plays five Tests on the bounce. And stop all this “World Cup preparation” nonsense. Take a look at the schedule. The Wallabies’ final pool stage game is against Portugal: they could win the Rugby World Cup without playing five elite nations in a row. A tour like this should never be allowed to happen again.
Folau Fainga’a is shown a yellow card against Ireland.Credit:AP
3. There were some distinct positives.
Mark Nawaqanitawase’s brilliance on the edge, Nick Frost’s athleticism, Michael Hooper’s return to peak form, and Will Skelton finally finding a Wallabies jersey (No.19) that fits: all big ticks for the Wallabies.
They have at times struggled to find real clarity of role this year, but they did that in Dublin: Frost is your 80-minute athlete and aerial king; Skelton is your 25-minute bully. Jed Holloway also took a step forward in that role of a hard-grafting, dynamic and accurate No 6. It’s not all bad news on this tour.
Cully’s team of the week
- Ethan de Groot (New Zealand)
- Dan Sheehan (Ireland)
- Tyrel Lomax (New Zealand)
- Brodie Retallick (New Zealand)
- James Ryan (Ireland)
- Beka Gorgadze (Georgia)
- Michael Hooper (Australia)
- Caelan Doris (Ireland)
- Nic White (Australia)
- Finn Russell (Scotland)
- Kurt-Lee Arendse (South Africa)
- Andrew Esterhuizen (South Africa)
- Chris Harris (Scotland)
- Darcy Graham (Scotland) – Player of the Round
- Freddie Steward (England)
4. Ben O’Keeffe’s display was … not unusual.
If you are a fan of the Brumbies and Wallabies, O’Keeffe isn’t on your Christmas card list. A few decisions, or non-decisions, at the end of the Blues v Brumbies semi-final and the Ireland Test might convince you the New Zealand referee isn’t a fan of all things Australian.
However, it’s worth noting that O’Keeffe’s display in Dublin was very much in line with Mathieu Raynal’s officiating of the England-All Blacks game. Both were hot on what could be called “technical” offences, particularly players in front of the ball at the kick chase or attacking maul. Presumably, this has come down from the refs’ bosses. As ever, their application needs to be consistent, but the thinking behind it is sound.
5. Rennie should be safe.
If you are battling a huge injury list and a brutal schedule and you get your side to within kicks of either drawing or beating Ireland and France in a three-week period, you shouldn’t be sacked.
Rennie’s record doesn’t scream ‘contract extension’ either, but it would be a surprise if there was any sort of appetite within the playing group for Rugby Australia to punt the coach. Michael Cheika’s Pumas were belted 52-29 by Scotland: does that make him a bad coach this week?
Watch all the action from the Wallabies Spring Tour with every match streaming ad-free, live and on demand on Stan Sport.
