This Wallabies side isn’t good enough to go into any Test against any side in the top 10 at 95 per cent intensity, never mind the 85-90 per cent they produced against a South Africa side that had clearly been stewing on the Nic White incident all week.
By my count, the first six Wallabies kicks out of hand either lacked distance, accuracy, or – frustratingly – an organised and urgent kick chase. The Springboks backfield players always had time and space to gather the ball and assess their options. That’s not good enough.
Some of the components of the Wallabies’ game worked well – I’d suggest their maul defence is now world class – but their kicking on Saturday would likely be punished in Super Rugby, never mind the Rugby Championship. The good news is that this result should bring them back down to earth after an Adelaide win that said as much about the Springboks on the day than any vast Wallabies improvements.
To be fair to Dave Rennie, he did try to warn everyone by clearly articulating that Adelaide provided about five minutes of relief before his mind turned to Sydney. He could probably see the warning signs.
2. The missing inspiration.
Saturday’s rugby was all about three captains: Sam Cane, Siya Kolisi and their absent peer Michael Hooper. That trio – and Los Pumas’ Juan Montoya – exist in the same rarified air because they have shown throughout their careers that when the heat goes on, they respond.
Kolisi was magnificent in Sydney against a young No 7 in Fraser McReight who is still learning his trade at test level. Kolisi ruled the breakdown and just about kept the lid on a highly caffeinated Springboks side, Earlier in Hamilton, Cane was almost as good against a sloppy Argentina, who mirrored the Wallabies in that they couldn’t reach the same level for two tests in a row.
No one wants Hooper to return before he is ready, but his value to the Wallabies was laid bare in Sydney.
3. HIA, concussion issues could force a major backline reshuffle.
Noah Lolesio and Hunter Paisami’s chances of playing in the first Bledisloe test are under something of a cloud. A dazed Paisami left the field in the second half, and if that is classed as a ‘Category 1’ concussion, he faces a mandatory 12-day stand-down period from playing.
Hunter Paisami speaks with a physio ahead of leaving the field with concussion.Credit:Getty
With Bledisloe I being played on Thursday week, he may not be able to get enough training into him to be selected. Lolesio reportedly failed his HIA1 on Saturday, but he will be cleared of a concussion if he passes HIA2 and HIA3. However, if his concussion is confirmed, he faces a minimum of seven days out, and his readiness for the All Blacks will depend on how quickly his symptoms improve during that period.
With the 6-2 bench split likely destined for the bin after it backfired on Saturday, Bernard Foley’s return to the Test arena could come against the All Blacks.
4. Lineout woes must be a priority.
The Wallabies have to get hooker Dave Porecki back into the starting side, because something isn’t working with Folau Fainga’a.
Lacking the Brumbies connection with the benched Darcy Swain, Fainga’a has not nailed his core duties over the past few weeks and the All Blacks are now big enough to really challenge the Wallabies in this area.
The Wallabies’ lineout against South Africa at Allianz Stadium.Credit:Getty
They will pick either Shannon Frizell or Scott Barrett at No 6, and their own maul defence has clearly improved under new forwards coach Jason Ryan. In fact, the first Bledisloe test is already looking like it will be firmly won and lost in the trenches.
Dan McKellar and Laurie Fisher will be relishing this, because it’s right up their alley. Forget the All Blacks’ backline, the Wallabies will have noted that after the Ireland series the All Blacks have gone back to basics, revamped their entire front row and are primarily coming at teams through the front door. The Wallabies tight five have a quick shot at redemption after the Sydney fizzer.
5. Get Super Rugby deal done and get on with it.
There was a breakthrough, of sorts, in the trans-Tasman relationship at the weekend with NZ Rugby chairman Stewart Mitchell saying: “A strong Rugby Australia is important to us.”
The importance of this principle – reciprocity – can’t be underestimated, because once it is genuinely established then the details around commercial splits become that much easier to resolve.
Indeed, it is the same principle outlined to the Herald by Rugby World Cup bid advisory board chairman Sir Rod Eddington when he was selling the benefits of 2027 to New Zealand. I think NZ Rugby can see the money coming into the Australian game with the Lions and the Rugby World Cups on the horizon.
I also think New Zealanders, in general, see stadia like the revamped Allianz Stadium and Optus Stadium in Perth and know Australia is a market they have to be connected to.
Team of the Week
1. Ethan de Groot (New Zealand)
2. Samisoni Taukei’aho (New Zealand)
3. Tyrel Lomax (New Zealand)
4. Lood de Jager (South Africa)
5. Sam Whitelock (New Zealand)
6. Franco Mostert (South Africa)
7. Siya Kolisi (South Africa) – Player of the Round
8. Ardie Savea (New Zealand)
9. Jaden Hendrikse (South Africa)
10. Richie Mo’unga (New Zealand)
11.Caleb Clarke (New Zealand)
12. Damian de Allende (South Africa)
13. Rieko Ioane (New Zealand)
14. Canan Moodie (South Africa)
15. Willie le Roux (South Africa)
