biffon
03-30-2007, 05:30 AM
http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,21470125-5002381,00.html
Cup ranks fatally thin
By David Campese
Wallabies legend
March 30, 2007
AUSTRALIA is always a chance at Rugby World Cup time. But this current mob of Wallabies is starting to challenge the faith.
There is every chance they will be no better than also-rans in France later this season.
Usually the Wallabies can boast a point of difference over other leading teams.
Down through the years it has been via the backline, or the lineout, or the ability to maintain possession and break down an opponent.
Australia teams have also developed a reputation for brick wall defence.
Just at the moment, however, I am struggling to see where Australia will be able to dominate the likes of New Zealand, South Africa, France or Ireland during the knockout stages of the Rugby World Cup.
The backline play of Australia teams in the Super 14 is unbearably poor.
The catch-and-pass skills of sides like New South Wales Waratahs is appalling.
Not one of the four franchises has a scrum to send shivers of fear through an opposition and the lineouts of the respective sides have also been, at best, inconsistent.
There are also key positions that the Wallabies selectors must be sweating over. Stephen Larkham is obviously their first choice at five-eighth.
But he has a tendency to get injured every second game. So who is the fallback option?
I can't see an obvious alternative.
What about the No.9 jumper?
Matt Giteau has to be there. But if he was injured, who else can fill the void and provide an attacking threat?
George Gregan is not the answer but none of the next generation have put up their hands either.
On and on it goes. The options in the front row are as thin as I can ever remember.
A standout full back to replace Chris Latham, at least through the early part of the domestic international series, has yet to surface.
At least the Brumbies provided some solace last week with their win over the previously unbeaten Sharks.
The Brumbies defended superbly and the Sharks played into their hands by refusing to alter their tactics.
But that is just one game in more than half a season.
It is time for the Australian sides to take it up a notch, especially with the New Zealand teams back to full strength with the return of their All Blacks.
It is simply unacceptable that our two primary states, NSW and Queensland, are last and next to last on the ladder.
I know both franchises have been hit hard by injury.
There is also the flow-on effect to consider after Western Force was granted entry when the tournament expanded to 14 teams.
It was always going to leave the talent pool shallow in each of the provinces.
But the style of play, along with the performances, has been far from encouraging.
We are entitled to expect better, and a broader range of skills, from full-time professional footballers.
Cup ranks fatally thin
By David Campese
Wallabies legend
March 30, 2007
AUSTRALIA is always a chance at Rugby World Cup time. But this current mob of Wallabies is starting to challenge the faith.
There is every chance they will be no better than also-rans in France later this season.
Usually the Wallabies can boast a point of difference over other leading teams.
Down through the years it has been via the backline, or the lineout, or the ability to maintain possession and break down an opponent.
Australia teams have also developed a reputation for brick wall defence.
Just at the moment, however, I am struggling to see where Australia will be able to dominate the likes of New Zealand, South Africa, France or Ireland during the knockout stages of the Rugby World Cup.
The backline play of Australia teams in the Super 14 is unbearably poor.
The catch-and-pass skills of sides like New South Wales Waratahs is appalling.
Not one of the four franchises has a scrum to send shivers of fear through an opposition and the lineouts of the respective sides have also been, at best, inconsistent.
There are also key positions that the Wallabies selectors must be sweating over. Stephen Larkham is obviously their first choice at five-eighth.
But he has a tendency to get injured every second game. So who is the fallback option?
I can't see an obvious alternative.
What about the No.9 jumper?
Matt Giteau has to be there. But if he was injured, who else can fill the void and provide an attacking threat?
George Gregan is not the answer but none of the next generation have put up their hands either.
On and on it goes. The options in the front row are as thin as I can ever remember.
A standout full back to replace Chris Latham, at least through the early part of the domestic international series, has yet to surface.
At least the Brumbies provided some solace last week with their win over the previously unbeaten Sharks.
The Brumbies defended superbly and the Sharks played into their hands by refusing to alter their tactics.
But that is just one game in more than half a season.
It is time for the Australian sides to take it up a notch, especially with the New Zealand teams back to full strength with the return of their All Blacks.
It is simply unacceptable that our two primary states, NSW and Queensland, are last and next to last on the ladder.
I know both franchises have been hit hard by injury.
There is also the flow-on effect to consider after Western Force was granted entry when the tournament expanded to 14 teams.
It was always going to leave the talent pool shallow in each of the provinces.
But the style of play, along with the performances, has been far from encouraging.
We are entitled to expect better, and a broader range of skills, from full-time professional footballers.