The defeat by Samoa on the weekend was according to some not Australias lowest point - this honour is apparently taken by both Tonga - who in 73 beat Australia in Brisbane and Scotland who beat Australia 2 years ago in Edingburgh.
This is because Australia played both of these games with a full strength team - link below
http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-union/union-news/holding-pattern-xv-sends-preparations-into-a-nosedive-20110717-1hkb8.html
This raises some big questions - I never felt that Rugby had friendlies - that was something reserved for soccer- we had test matches and that was that - are we going down the road of friendlies now with the world cup warm up games????? Are they being taken less serious? Is this a chance to blood new players on masse? Do games like this actually give new caps test experience? Do the coaches just fob the games off as friendlies to relieve their own pressure? Robbie Deans seems to of
I think that every game should be treated as a must win first - then decide wether or not to bring in some new blood - but everyone has to start somewhere - with the world cup looming and it being a tournament that requires a squad as opposed to a XV - are attitudes changing? or is it only acceptable in a world cup year?
Aussie Paper today :-
A number of Queensland Reds were rested or put on the bench due to the preceding Super Rugby final and David Campese was one to lament the number of inexperienced players drafted into the side.
"You just can't give guys Test caps for the sake of giving them Test match experience. It's wrong," Campese told the Sydney Morning Herald.
It will be interesting to see what sort of teams are put out next month in London/Cardiff/Dublin no one wants to lose these games going into a world cup - and You cant buy experience like that - Can You?
You Cant buy Experience - Can You?
posted on 18/7/11
I think the loss, although a low point in our rugby history - will provide the necessary kick up the a$$ as WWW says above.
It's probably the riskiest selection made by a coach who honestly believed the resting of some players and trying out of some of the debutants would not lead to Sunday's shock result.
We've seen SA do a similar thing in a 3N before a RWC, however this is new territory for Australia - who traditionally field their best in all sporting competitions (except maybe some international soccer matches in certain legs against certain teams...) however I always believed that was a risky thing too - especially when it backfires!
I read a good article from John Eales this morning:
http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-union/union-news/eight-lessons-for-class-of-2011-20110718-1hkoj.html
Words of wisdom from one of our legends of the game. I agree with all of his points made - and I hope the current crop of Wallabies read and understand what he has said.
On the other hand, if the idea was to take such a risk... well, we now know the answer. I don't think it will happen again. Unlike SA, we will field our best possible 22 next weekend and for all 3Ns. Injuries aside, they'll need to be fully battle ready for September in NZ.
As surprised as I was by the result against Samoa - I had already started telling myself yesterday afternoon: "it's better that something like this has happened now rather than in 8-9 weeks time..."
posted on 18/7/11
Lydneyian ye agree, no friendlies in rugby. win at all costs and even if its a development side thats been fielded they should be going in with the same game plan as the first 22 would have.
so anyway they were a development team the aussies put out and frankly the aussies always show up at WC time so this game this result and some of the reactions toward it are a little over the top at best. and to be fair to OZ we all know they are good, we have seen it with our own eyes in recent games.
There seems to be some out there who want this to be a real indication of what to expect.
For example some want this to be a superb world beating Samoa team who will destroy wales. Coming from Anti welsh wumers
Others want it to show that OZ are rubbish and Ireland are going to walk the group. PRO irish supporters :D
Well im Irish and im ignoring this result because i have seen OZ have many bad seasons and then turn up at the WC like men possessed! I expect nothing different this time round. And this result means nothing to the welsh or irish just yet.
posted on 18/7/11
That article is great Linebreaker!
posted on 18/7/11
Thanks mate.
There's definitely a good message in there. I posted the same article on another board and it got criticised by a few Kiwi fans...
Also, I was thinking whilst watching that game yesterday that if it had been Wales - they would have contested the ball harder up front and played a more sensible gameplan. The Wallabies were well and truly not prepared for that.
Rather than you guys worrying about what's in store for the RWC matches against Samoa, Fiji... I believe the key is discipline, contested possesion and obviously the right balance between booting it downfield to get better field position (you'll get fair share or more from lineouts) and deciding when to run it and take it past the advantage line (without getting smashed!). It's the mental as well as physical don't forget... as Australia didn't display (until too late) yesterday.
Apart from that, I have a sense that a team like Samoa still can get over confident at times and that if they are 'asked some serious questions' they can still panic and even implode. Looks unlikley after yesterday but I feel Wales will prevail against Samoa and Fiji during the RWC round matches. When they get frustrated and the run of play is against them, they still are prone to disciplinary indiscretions and can lose the plot quickly.
posted on 18/7/11
It is a good article - I read it earlier - I didnt mention it due to the psycological scars I still hold from 91. I think that the result will do the wallabies the power of good - it will be forgotten when they go into the world cup as TN champs having been reminded of John Eales first and most important point in the most brutal way.
Dingbat - spot on - far too much is being made of the result - especially from a Wales/Ireland pov.
Im hoping that Martin Johnson heeds the lessons from this result - and doesnt tinker TOO much in our 3 games before travelling down under
posted on 18/7/11
I hope that article is doing the rounds in the Welsh camp!! (If they are foolish enough not to know most of those things already!)
My current belief is that the Welsh 'first' choice players will beat Fiji and Samoa in hard fought contests (they will believe they can beat Wales) but, if the Welsh don't heed point one of the article, in particular, and put out a less than fit and able team, it'll bite them .. .. .. again!
Shocks and kicks up the a$$ for all I hope. We'll see a different Aus next week, beating SA on home soil I think.
posted on 18/7/11
That said WWW - I was in Nantes (the week before the famous Welsh game) for Eng Samoa in 2007 - and whilst at least 33% drunk by the start of the game - I seem to remember we had a great start and Samoa came back really strong - but for JW it could of been disaster - I think Samoa get better through the years and raise their game to attempt 1 big scalp - lets hope they have already taken it
posted on 18/7/11
True, never underestimate those guys, I won't!!
posted on 19/7/11
Apparently New Zealand are going down the same road -
http://www.espnscrum.com/scrum/rugby/story/144212.html
Imagine if the same thing happened - although the ABs second string is stronger than most
As far as my article is concerned - when you have the talent in depth that NZ have - do the same rules apply??
posted on 19/7/11
Lydneyian
"As far as my article is concerned - when you have the talent in depth that NZ have - do the same rules apply??"
I Guess not, i firmly believe they could field a world beating second string side.... In fact i think they should do it all the time.... might make things a little more even
Or would that be called the Māori' mmmmmmmm food for thought....