Old-style tactics usher in new era

[KenyaQuin]

Old-style tactics usher in new era
Wayne Smith | June 20, 2008

THE widespread expectation was that Robbie Deans' appointment to head the Wallabies would usher in an exciting new era of running rugby but in terms of bald statistics his debut Test as Australia coach was a throwback to the bad old days.

Against Ireland in Melbourne last Saturday, the Wallabies put boot to ball more often than their opponents, 27 times to 21, despite the fact the visitors dominated possession almost by a margin of two-to-one, 63 per cent to 37.

Equally alarming was the ball-carry statistic. The Wallabies ran it only 62 times in the match, significantly short of the John Connolly-era base rate of 80 carries a match and well adrift of the 100-plus figure Australia has regularly topped in recent years. Ireland, by contrast, had 103 carries, although admittedly while enjoying a far greater share of possession.

Although it would be entirely unrealistic to expect the Wallabies to settle immediately into the patterns Deans is hoping to play, the grim stats from Telstra Dome...Read More

[Thequeerone]

The Wallabies won - despite lack of procession - and you're still giving out - u are incredibly ungrateful - the Wallabies don't deserve you - I would kill for a team like that with green jerseys on their backs

Deans is not going to get the Wallabies to beat the All Blacks in one Test - 3 coaches in 3 years has taken it's toll - give yourselves a reality check for at least 4 months and if he has managed to get a decent front row then you can raise the bar of expectation - until then savour every last drop in every victory

[Burgs]

Pretty dangerous reading single match figures as Coaching style-averages too!
I'm with you TQ1, except you can't have them in lime green

[oxleymoron]

There are two problems with the article as I read it. Firstly, a throwback to the bad old days of last year when we kicked the ball for territory, sacrificing possession. This was implemented as a plan from the previous two coaches, effectively "brainwashing" players into the habit. It takes more than 1 game and a couple of training sessions to break habits which were previously held as gospel.

Secondly, I don't care how they do it, as long as they are competitive on both attack and defence for the full 80 minutes, the results will come, be it win, lose or draw. It was only the defence which held the paddys out in the last 10 minutes in Melb, the attack was non-existent.

[jargan83]

wayne smith is just some knob who writes rubbish to sell newspapers. If he realisticly expects Aussie Rob to have a dramatic influence overnight he might as be stoned to death with stale donuts

I didn't read the rest of that, i don't think it would be worth my time
Posted via Mobile Device

[laura]

You can't be critical of Deans
Mat Rogers | 08:00 AEST Fri Jun 20 2008

Mat Rogers is a dual-international with a reputation for telling it straight. Now playing for the Gold Coast Titans, his WWOS column appears every Friday.


I find it quite interesting the headlines accusing the Wallabies of a rocky start under the tutelage of Robbie Deans. After all, Rome wasn't built in a day.

Actually, it's dumbfounding to be honest. Ireland was ranked number two in the world last year. Admittedly after the weekend they are now at eight but the fact is we beat them and Australia never looked like they were in too much danger of losing.

I wonder that some people either don't understand the game or don't understand the culture within the Australian rugby organisation.

more from Mat Rogers...
You can't be critical of Deans

[thunderchicken9]

a win is a win is a win.. period

[BLR]

Rogers writing a positive article about Union....bizzarre...

[TOCC]

he must be sick

[Thequeerone]

broke ?

[prop53]

And as they say ugly or looking the part at the end of the day it was a Win. Ask questions about Deans after the Tri Nations and Bleds as been played by then we would expect to see improvements in all positions. And God i mean the front 3