Cheika tells Wallabies: You can do better
While some are heralding the Wallabies as the new Rugby World Cup favourites following their performance against England, one swallow doesn’t make a spring. SIMON GALLETTA looks at where the Wallabies need to improve ahead of this weekend’s clash against Wales.
By SIMON GALLETTA
The Wallabies entered the Rugby World Cup under the radar, but eliminating host side England last week all but ended hopes of a quiet entrance to the quarter-finals.
In their final pool match, the Wallabies take on Wales at Twickenham this weekend (2.45am Sunday AEDT).
While the Australians' performance so far has the most hardline critics from across the Tasman changing tunes, coach Michael Cheika remains humble, saying there’s always room for improvement.
So what do the Wallabies need to work on?
The line-out needs to be better. Captain Stephen Moore was uncharacteristically below par last week, with a few wobbly throws relieving pressure far too easily. While Moore is defensively strong, and his role in Australia’s second try flawless, Cheika’s mantra of players fulfilling their function first must be adhered to.
Yet Moore could be forgiven somewhat. With Cheika opting for the "Pooper" combination – David Pocock and Michael Hooper – the line-out was down a traditional jumper. But with suspension ruling out Michael Hooper, and the Wallabies’ main line out caller, Rob Simmons benched, it may seems Cheika’s already plugged the leak.
Second, pressure must be taken off Israel Folau. The best players choose their moments. He can’t be the golden boy every game. While his passing game needs improving, as the botched try against England shows, and he has a tendency to run away from his support, this is a guy who’s still only taken to the 15-man game quite recently.
Compare that to English convert Sam Burgess. Burgess looked like a fish out of water last week, with the English press ripping in to his sudden inclusion into the Test team as cause for their defeat.
In defence, he was uncertain to charge or drift, while in attack he was simply non-existent. In this team game, patience is needed, and Folau at times needs to take a breath.
And finally, it seems for the first time the scrum won’t be mentioned. While Argentinian scrum guru Mario Ledesma still sees room for improvement, this time it’s the normally strong backline defence that needs work.
While the tactic of forcing play wide of the ruck did isolate English players for the likes of Pocock, Hooper and Scott Fardy to pounce on, the tactic also exposed vulnerabilities in the Wallaby backline structure.
The inability of Wallaby defenders to adjust to a decoy-disguised second point-of-attack, was nullified only by England’s poor execution. Wales will not be so forgiving.
The most "southern" of all northern hemisphere teams (except perhaps the French on a good day), Wales are well versed in running rugby, and even with a growing injury list, they still have a formidable backline attack. The Wallabies will need to be wary.
Much has been said of the Wallabies needing to win to take the "easy" route to the final. But as France showed the All Blacks on two memorable occasions, as did the Wallabies, there are no easy games. Wales are a team to be respected, and improvements are still needed.
