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Thread: Wallabies' keys to success

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    Wallabies' keys to success

    Wallabies' keys to success

    November 15, 2008

    Deep in Enid Blyton territory, the Wallabies are working diligently on the secret seven formula to ensure success at Twickenham early tomorrow morning. Greg Growden outlines the formula.
    1 Dominate the breakdown.

    In this crucial area of the game, the Wallabies should hold an important advantage. Despite opting for bulk, there is still a lot of speed in the Australian back row, as apart from George Smith, Richard Brown at No.8 is a pseudo openside breakaway as well. The England back row lacks experience, and against the Pacific Islanders last weekend were often slow and indecisive at the contact area. Former Wallabies coach Eddie Jones, talking to The Times newspaper this week, argued that this area would determine who won the game. He believes Australia have the edge because of the Smith factor, rating him as the world's best openside. "I think he's better than Richie McCaw at the moment, and if England do give the ball air, the breakdown will be the most important area of the game," Jones said. Now in charge at Saracens, Jones explained that if South African referee Marius Jonker kept people on their feet, then, "Australia could dominate and perhaps score the one try, from turnover ball, that could make the difference." Opposed to Smith's experience, Jones believes that England's blindside Tom Croft is "not great at the tackle area", while openside Tom Rees is "a pretty good player but he's right at the start of his career".
    2 Kick to a designated target.

    We keep harping on and on about how dreadful Australia's midfield kicking is, but the fact is the Wallabies will continue to suffer wild fluctuations until they pick up their act in this area. Some of the kicks against Italy last weekend were terrible - one even went backwards. Australia's momentum is often hindered at the worst possible time. Matt Giteau's kicking remains hot and cold, and it is imperative he improves to keep putting pressure on England's young and inexperienced back three. New fullback Delon Armitage anticipates a barrage. "There will be grubbers coming through, high balls going up, and there's no doubt I'll have to get some breakfast down me on Saturday morning because there will be far more running to do," Armitage said. "Someone like Matt Giteau will spot those parts of the field that you haven't got covered." All it now takes is for Giteau to kick exactly to those parts of the field.
    3 The Australian scrum must prove it has improved.

    Usually, the Wallabies pack is the forgotten touring tribe. But the last week in London, the focus has been entirely on the forwards. The British media are obsessed with what they perceive as one of the most useless scrums running around. They argue that the Wallabies get away with blue murder in the scrums, and resort to all sorts of sneaky tricks to overcome the fact that they are not up to the northern hemisphere standards. The Wallabies counter that they are becoming an impressive unit, citing recent matches against New Zealand and Italy as proof that their set-piece work is far from dreadful. However, they will only convince everyone of this by giving it to England, who are their bogy team. The two England props, Andrew Sheridan and Phil Vickery, who have torn apart Australia many times, are still there, and it is up to Al Baxter, Benn Robinson, Matt Dunning and Stephen Moore to at last put them in their place.

    4 Use Ryan Cross as a prime attacking source.

    The Australian outside-centre has a way of finding and utilising gaps and, if given good enough ball, could well be a Twickenham matchwinner. It is also important that Cross has confidence in his own ability to finish off a movement and trust himself to get over the line. Don't be surprised if Giteau throws a lot of cut-out passes to Cross, especially as the pair often use that tactic when playing for the Western Force.
    5 Mark Chisholm must pick up his game.

    The ACT Brumbies second-rower is one of the quiet men of the Wallabies squad. While a good lineout and scrummaging technician, it is a bit concerning that in recent matches his defence near the ruck has been somewhat off, missing or seemingly avoiding a few important tackles. Chisholm gets his chance because Dan Vickerman is not here, and has to step up. Otherwise the Wallabies will be forced into moving Hugh McMeniman in the second row, and bringing Dean Mumm into the back row. Or vice versa.
    6Luke Burgess's service must be spot on.
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    There is no harder marker on himself than the Wallabies halfback. He was visibly upset with his performance in Hong Kong, and would not have been happy with his Padova performance. At times, he seems to have trouble with his left-to-right pass, and sometimes Giteau has saved him with some spectacular leaps to regather the ball. Elsewhere, Burgess's game is fine, especially his willingness to attack the line from the scrum base. But he is the first to concede the Wallabies have yet to see the best of him on this tour.
    7 Dominate the restarts.

    The Pacific Islanders match showed that England were often disorganised and dithered about at the restarts. The Wallabies haven't actually been sensational in that area in recent years, but are a lot better than they used to be. If the Wallabies can win this area, it will ensure that they are often on the front foot and, against an inexperienced opposition, could well lead to England becoming even more unsettled. This is an area where Australia could really expose England's inadequacies.
    Prediction: Sure, the Wallabies's recent record at Twickenham is not great. Without Berrick Barnes, they are somewhat below their best, but this England team is not great either. The Wallabies by six points.
    How they line up


    AUSTRALIA: Adam Ashley-Cooper; Peter Hynes, Ryan Cross, Stirling Mortlock (C), Drew Mitchell; Matt Giteau, Luke Burgess; Richard Brown, George Smith, Hugh McMeniman, Nathan Sharpe, Mark Chisholm, Al Baxter, Stephen Moore, Benn Robinson. Reserves: Tatafu Polota-Nau, Matt Dunning, Dean Mumm, Wycliff Palu, Sam Cordingley, Quade Cooper, Digby Ioane.
    ENGLAND: Delon Armitage; Paul Sackey, Jamie Noon, Riki Flutey, Ugo Monye; Danny Cipriani, Danny Care; Nick Easter, Tom Rees, Tom Croft, Tom Palmer, Steve Borthwick (C) Phil Vickery, Lee Mears, Andrew Sheridan. Reserves: Dylan Hartley, Matt Stevens, Simon Shaw, James Haskell, Michael Lipman, Harry Ellis, Toby Flood.
    TV: Live, Channel 10, 1am Sunday.


    http://www.rugbyheaven.com.au/news/n...e#contentSwap1

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    The only thing the Pieman forgot to put in his list was number 8

    8 Score more points than the Poms.

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