Results 1 to 2 of 2

Thread: Bad turn could lead to knives

  1. #1
    Immortal Contributor
    Moderator
    travelling_gerry's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2006
    Location
    Perth, Western Australia, Australia
    Posts
    18,483
    vCash
    5062000

    Bad turn could lead to knives

    Greg Growden Chief Rugby Correspondent | August 22, 2009

    WALLABIES coach Robbie Deans doesn't exactly believe in ''forks in the road'', but how Australia perform in tonight's Bledisloe Cup match will determine whether it's time to stick with the old guard or head in a new-generation direction.

    The Wallabies' level of effort will also be crucial in deciding how much of a defining moment the second half of the Newlands Test a fortnight ago was when the squad's young guns came on and almost took the game away from the Springboks, after the tried and true lost their way in the first half.

    With just two years to go before the 2011 World Cup, tonight's Test is one of the most important moments in the recent history of the Wallabies.

    It is certainly time for results, because in spite of the constant line pushed that the Wallabies are supposedly great at home, their recent record against the All Blacks is diabolical. Since the 2003 Rugby World Cup, the Wallabies boast just three wins from their past 14 Bledisloe Cup encounters. And of the past seven cup matches held in Australia, the All Blacks have won four. Home advantage? Hardly.
    It also doesn't get any easier tonight with the return of Daniel Carter as the All Blacks five-eighth, especially as his presence alongside skipper Richie McCaw virtually ensures victory over Australia. They have been side by side in 10 Tests against the Wallabies, and that has resulted in nine triumphs. The only stumble was in Melbourne two years ago.

    So much is at stake from 8pm. A win will resurrect Australia's Bledisloe and Tri Nations hopes, momentarily take the pressure off Deans, and give the Wallabies a much-needed confidence jolt following their meanderings in Auckland and Cape Town.

    A loss is bound to lead to an important overhaul of the Wallabies machine, forcing Deans to make the hard decision of not waiting until the end of year grand slam tour to farewell certain under-performing senior players.

    Several forwards, if they again disappear tonight, will no longer be able to believe a lack of competition will allow them to hold on to their spot, because continual Test losses will demand alterations.

    There was a certain sting in what Deans said after the Cape Town loss when he stressed how well the Wallabies went in the second half, and how delighted he was with how his bench players performed.

    After losing two players to the sin bin just before half-time, the Wallabies were down by 13 points at the break, but certainly picked up in the second half. Midway during the second half, most of the young replacements - James O'Connor, Will Genia, David Pocock, Dean Mumm, Ben Alexander and Tatafu Polota-Nau - were on and making an impact.

    O'Connor and Genia finished among Australia's best, while the others had their moments. It was certainly something encouraging for the future. But that might be the near future. O'Connor is the only one who has since made the starting line-up but there's no doubt several of the others, who are again sitting on the bench tonight, are getting close to participating at the opening kick-off.

    Again that excitable former Wallaby Sam Scott-Young came up with the best overview of what this Cup game means, when he told a Queensland newspaper: ''This is a turning-point Test … we've got to go on with our good first-half efforts or the tag of stupid, immature and ill-disciplined when it counts will stick.''

    http://www.rugbyheaven.com.au/news/n...362213450.html

    0 Not allowed! Not allowed!

  2. #2
    Immortal GIGS20's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2006
    Location
    Rockingham
    Posts
    20,508
    vCash
    1296000
    Good article, but calling for forwards to go if we don't perform seems to be a little ill-informed. I think the only one who could be under a lot of pressure would be either a lock or Stephen Moore, that would be based upon lineout only. I reckon the changes have been made in the back row, and the scrummage is improving, you can't ask more than that.

    Moore's held his spot through superior throwing, but last game exposed a weakness there (whether it was communication or poor technique) TPN couldn't have dome much worse and I don't see anybody making a better lineout combination than Sharpe and Horwill. Around the park the locks are doing the job as is moore. In short, I don't see much improvement in our pack. If we lose this match, the only possible scenario is to hit the rebuild button and blood young guys with an eye to them starting the WC, but who? does Pocock replace Smith? That'd be huge, since Smith is sure to figure in the cup, Does Mumm replace Sharpe.....I just don't think Mumm will be a better option in two years....could be wrong.

    I see a youth policy giving us more value in the backs. Mortlock's old, The back three are pretty pedestrian and Gits & Barnes need to swap. Burgess needs to be given a pink slip as well (or at least told it'll be his last start if he doesn't start to perform)

    0 Not allowed! Not allowed!
    C'mon the

Similar Threads

  1. BACKS LEAD THE WAY FOR TABLE-TOPPING SOAKS
    By RugbyWA in forum News Feeds
    Replies: 0
    Last Post: 16-05-09, 09:40
  2. Replies: 45
    Last Post: 05-05-09, 09:28
  3. Kiwis turn on 'stupid' All Blacks
    By jargan83 in forum New Zealand
    Replies: 0
    Last Post: 27-07-08, 20:18
  4. Gregan to lead, on one condition
    By Burgs in forum Wallabies
    Replies: 4
    Last Post: 26-01-07, 19:30
  5. Rockingham's turn to beat Bayswater
    By bruce in forum Perth - Bayswater
    Replies: 0
    Last Post: 01-05-06, 08:19

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •