Wallabies a work in progress







THE frustrating component for Australian rugby supporters has been the lingering inconsistency in every Wallaby outing.

Hot, cold, warm, awful - we've all come to expect the highs and lows of watching the Wallabies.

For periods, the attack can be simply sublime, then there can be complete and utter scrambled eggs where the opposition is given a red-carpet ride back into the game.

Considering the number of top-line Wallabies unavailable due to season-ending injuries (James Horwill, Wycliff Palu, Tatafu Polata-Nau, Ben Alexander and Stirling Mortlock), it was always going to be a season of upheaval and change.

Coach Robbie Deans had to blood inexperienced internationals.

No one can deny it was a rough ride. The June domestic Tests and then the Tri-Nations series was a watershed experience.

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In my opinion, the lessons which the generation next of Australian rugby learned through this taxing period will benefit us for many seasons to come.

Going into a World Cup year, when a 30-man squad is called on, having depth is a key component of working towards success.

Because of what's transpired over the past four months, Wallaby coach Deans has this luxury of having plenty of choices.

FORWARDS C+

THE scrum gets a pass mark, but the recurring theme is again inconsistency.

At its best, the scrum provided a solid and stable platform to work off.

At its worst, there were poor concentration lapses and moments of fatigue where the Wallabies were shown up.

The lineout, when all facets were functioning, was a major strength, allowing our world-class backline the ability to launch some quality attacking raids.

Execution errors sometimes crept in, which allowed the opposition to apply pressure.

On an individual note, David Pocock has emerged from George Smith's shadow to stamp himself as a star at openside flanker.

Career-best form from second-rower Nathan Sharpe was also a highlight.

BACKLINE B-

THE Wallaby backline enjoyed having Quade Cooper exploiting the full width of the field.

It grew in confidence and attacking stature to really test the opposition defence throughout the year.

There appears to be a real willingness to have a go.

But the Wallaby backline tightens up and plays very narrow when Cooper doesn't play.

In the two Tests against the All Blacks, we saw a very narrow plan of attack, which never really challenged their defence.

Cooper continued to stamp himself as a player of influence in any game he played and showed class to put aside the significant distraction of his contract negotiations.

James O'Connor has shown his value by being a revelation on the wing and Adam Ashley-Cooper warrants selection just through the sheer weight of consistency in each of his performances.

THE COACH B

IN his most challenging year to date, Deans showed quality direction and leadership.

He is the best man for the job going into the World Cup.

GOAL-KICKING C-

REMAINS a serious issue. Missing any more than two kicks in a game at international level can ultimately be the difference between winning and losing.

While Matt Giteau has served the Wallabies well as a goal-kicker throughout his career, perhaps it is time for him to focus purely on his rugby.

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