Wallabies need to do opposite of All Blacks
BY SPIRO ZAVOS
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OPINION: Before the 2003 Rugby World Cup the Australian Rugby Union Players Association took the ARU to court over a disruptive demand that the Wallabies be paid huge bonuses if they won the tournament.
RUPA lost the case, paid out $200,000 in costs and created a rift between the players and the ARU. Now RUPA is up to its damaging games again when the ARU is involved with crucial TV negotiations for Super rugby, the selection of a fifth Australian Super franchise and with the Wallabies rebuilding with the 2011 Rugby World Cup in mind.
It has appointed John Spender, QC, to investigate the termination of Lote Tuqiri's contract and "all forms of suspensions and fines imposed on players over the past five years by the ARU and state unions in relation to disciplinary matters".
This action is justified on the grounds RUPA wants to ensure "all the parties have acted in good faith''. In the case of Tuqiri, though, the matter is coming up before the courts (unless it is settled beforehand) next week. RUPA should have waited until then, at least, before making implications about the ARU's bad faith.
Then there is the matter of RUPA trying to involve the Wallabies captain, Stirling Mortlock, in the Tuqiri matter, with the suggestion that the captain believes it cast a dark shadow across the team.
When the Wallabies won the 1999 World Cup the triumph was achieved, in large part, because of the holy trinity of John Eales, the Wallabies captain, Rod Macqueen, the coach and John O'Neill, the chief executive of the ARU, all working together. Is this the case right now?
Probably not, unfortunately. Certainly the present Wallabies captain has not shown the sort of leadership off the field (and on it, for that matter) that Eales did during a golden era of Australian rugby. There is the distinct case for Berrick Barnes to be promoted to the leadership of the Wallabies before 2011.
Right now, though, Mortlock has the captain's job. Because of the death of Robbie Deans's father, he will also have a pivotal, almost unprecedented, role of having a major input, by running the practices, into the coaching of the Wallabies before Saturday's test at Cape Town. The challenge is difficult with the Springboks coming off two emphatic victories over the All Blacks and a series win over the British and Irish Lions. But if the Wallabies adopt exactly the opposite tactics of the All Blacks, they should give the world champions a stern contest.
The All Blacks refused to play field position. They ran the ball from near and behind their try line, putting great pressure on themselves with 30 lost possessions. They did not contest the Springboks lineout with any conviction. They allowed Stephen Donald and Joe Rokocoko, two shaky catchers, to be isolated under the high ball too often. They gave away stupid penalties (although referee Nigel Owens made some curious calls against them). The result was that the Springboks spent 15 minutes inside their half and Morne Steyn kicked eight penalties. South Africa did not have to play any rugby. They just had to make their tackles and wait for the mistakes.
The correct tactics against these Springboks is to construct a good defence against their kicking, have a well-organised kick-and-chase game and run the ball at them in their half of the field. Make the Springboks play some rugby to score their points. If the Wallabies can do this, Mortlock's captaincy and the Wallabies' Tri Nations chances will be revived.
- © Fairfax NZ News
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They looked like a bunch of chickens without their heads. Wonderful tactics.
Spiro and other bloggers - I'm dissapointed you never said anything about the thuggery of the boks etc, what about Giteau? I guess that's why the Bok supporters get frustrated as we only ask for a commision that is fair to all. Giteau really dissapointed me, think he is a great player, but was trying to take out Du Preez as he is the key man.
Look forward to shouting for the AB's vs the Wallabies!! and then the return match in NZ, should be a humdinger.
PS - admit it, Bakkies Botha has been on fire in the last 3 matches, if he was a Kiwi you would be loving the rugby he has produced.
aaand they lost.
Hey Spiro, whose a thug now? Mr Giteau can expect a call from the commission come Monday morning for his 'ugly airborne' foul on Du Preez. Anything to say about that Mr Zavos.Then to have Habana, with tryline in site, tackled without the ball? Should have been a card at least. Let's not forget three or four yellow cards to the Wobblies. The ABs are better off without Deans - it seems the only thing he knows how to do is teach teams to cheat and spoil.
Those Sringboks are awesome. Deans was right when he said they went through a World Cup hangover last year. When the dust settled they put 50 on the Wallabies and dismantled Twickenham. What worries me is this: They have broken all records: most capped captain, lock partnership of 50 tests... and it goes on. That is the most experienced team in world rugby and most of them are still in their mid-20s. That clown of a coach has done a masterstroke by keeping those players together. This Springbok team is going to become one of the greatest teams ever, I just don't want to be around when that backline starts firing - it will be like the Bulls/ Chiefs final. And by the way... Is Pierre Spies human? Enjoy the game people - and let's be under no illusions, the Wallabies CAN beat SA.
Keelan Walker #4 05:46 pm Aug 04 2009 - "I a kiwi and I can't believe I'll be cheering for the Wallabies this weekend... " : I take it you will be cheering the Wobbelies BEFORE the game, not afterwards! :~)
Its great to see that the Kiwis will be cheering for the Wallies on saturday but I can assure them that the next predator is about to pounce!. Just be careful not to give them too much boost ahead of the inevitable bashing that the ABs are going to get from the Wallies in a few weeks time.
Spiro is right ... but he forgets that in order to employ those tactics he will have to match the big forwards of SA physically. If the AB's couldn't do it then surely the Aussies can't. Having said that though they do have what I consider the best coach in the world. Imagine what Deans could do with a pack like SA's.
I just cant see how they will win on Saturday, one would think the Springboks would have to be well below there maginificent best.
I agree with Chrisso, we used to be the team that tackled, defended and kicked for territory and then caused the penalties against opositions with our PRESSURE...the springboks are more ALL Blacks than the All blacks... I used to be bored watching Fox, and co, just kicking the goals to win the game, but importantly, they won the games, which is why the Boks are the No1 team in the world AND world champs...something we haven't done since... i forget...
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Well said Lee. Spiro should hope that his does not get what he asks for.Regarding the upcoming NZ Oz game, there is no way that I can see Oz beating the AB. As a South African, I love it when we manage a win over NZ, and cherish it because it is a rare thing indeed. Class does not disappear overnight, and the AB's has no shortage in that department. Hope they recovered from a momentary lapse, and give Oz a hiding (that should stop Spiro and the gang from farting in church!). Regarding SA, I think they adopted quicker to the post rule changes, but expect them to be more expansive in their next game. My call for the 2009 Tri Nations is either NZ or SA for the trophy.