biffon
06-01-2007, 12:58 AM
http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,21827157-23217,00.html
Going from bad to worse
By david Campese
Australia legend
June 01, 2007
AUSTRALIA was diabolical last week, and even players notorious for having thin skin would struggle to argue with anyone - me included - who wanted to pan that performance against Wales as an absolute disgrace.
Fortunately, the Wallabies showed some guts to fight back from 17-0 down to eventually close it out after the siren.
The Wallabies have made a worrying habit of losing those close games in the past few years so the ability to resurrect victory from the ashes of an appalling display was at least some small consolation.
So, too, was the form of Matt Giteau at halfback.
But the rest of it was painful to watch.
Wallabies coach John Connolly tried to paint it as early season rust.
How he thinks that one will wash when the Springboks, in their first game of the season and with less time in camp preparing for the Test, came out and smacked the Poms 58-10.
"Knuckles" has also defended the strength of the Wales squad. What he cannot deny is that they left 18 players at home to prepare for the Rugby World Cup.
Those 18 are almost certain to be taken en masse to the tournament in France, and there are world-class players among them, so let's forget the excuses, admit the Australia side did not aim up, and we have problems to sort out in a hurry.
Most of those concerns, to my eyes anyway, centre on the backline.
We keep hearing how they are playing a different style of game since Eddie Jones was sacked.
But some of the errors they made at Telstra Stadium just made you shudder.
Schoolboys would be caned for some of the passing and handling blunders Australia's elite three-quarters committed.
It reminded me of some of the stuff I witnessed from the Australian provincial teams in Super 14.
There was a lot of individualism and not much in the way of teamwork.
The communication was clearly lacking and the absence of leadership equally evident, especially in that dismal first 20 minutes.
I felt sorry for a couple of the new faces in Adam Ashley-Cooper and Julian Huxley.
Ashley-Cooper is a very good player but he was completely ignored in the first half at inside centre.
How was he supposed to impress when no one would give him the ball? He was treated like a leper.
Huxley had a wobbly start but improved as the match wore on, especially on the kicking front.
He, too, is a useful attacking weapon, but he was hardly given an opportunity.
Likewise Mark Gerrard on the wing. But there is another selection issue worth raising that everyone seems to be skirting over. George Gregan as a reserve halfback? It just won't work.
If George is not in the starting side, he should not be in the squad. He is not an impact player and that's what you want off the bench.
When fresh legs come on you want to utilise them for running. Gregan stands at the scrum and ruck base and simply shovels the ball.
The selectors need to address it, and Sam Cordingley is the obvious option.
Going from bad to worse
By david Campese
Australia legend
June 01, 2007
AUSTRALIA was diabolical last week, and even players notorious for having thin skin would struggle to argue with anyone - me included - who wanted to pan that performance against Wales as an absolute disgrace.
Fortunately, the Wallabies showed some guts to fight back from 17-0 down to eventually close it out after the siren.
The Wallabies have made a worrying habit of losing those close games in the past few years so the ability to resurrect victory from the ashes of an appalling display was at least some small consolation.
So, too, was the form of Matt Giteau at halfback.
But the rest of it was painful to watch.
Wallabies coach John Connolly tried to paint it as early season rust.
How he thinks that one will wash when the Springboks, in their first game of the season and with less time in camp preparing for the Test, came out and smacked the Poms 58-10.
"Knuckles" has also defended the strength of the Wales squad. What he cannot deny is that they left 18 players at home to prepare for the Rugby World Cup.
Those 18 are almost certain to be taken en masse to the tournament in France, and there are world-class players among them, so let's forget the excuses, admit the Australia side did not aim up, and we have problems to sort out in a hurry.
Most of those concerns, to my eyes anyway, centre on the backline.
We keep hearing how they are playing a different style of game since Eddie Jones was sacked.
But some of the errors they made at Telstra Stadium just made you shudder.
Schoolboys would be caned for some of the passing and handling blunders Australia's elite three-quarters committed.
It reminded me of some of the stuff I witnessed from the Australian provincial teams in Super 14.
There was a lot of individualism and not much in the way of teamwork.
The communication was clearly lacking and the absence of leadership equally evident, especially in that dismal first 20 minutes.
I felt sorry for a couple of the new faces in Adam Ashley-Cooper and Julian Huxley.
Ashley-Cooper is a very good player but he was completely ignored in the first half at inside centre.
How was he supposed to impress when no one would give him the ball? He was treated like a leper.
Huxley had a wobbly start but improved as the match wore on, especially on the kicking front.
He, too, is a useful attacking weapon, but he was hardly given an opportunity.
Likewise Mark Gerrard on the wing. But there is another selection issue worth raising that everyone seems to be skirting over. George Gregan as a reserve halfback? It just won't work.
If George is not in the starting side, he should not be in the squad. He is not an impact player and that's what you want off the bench.
When fresh legs come on you want to utilise them for running. Gregan stands at the scrum and ruck base and simply shovels the ball.
The selectors need to address it, and Sam Cordingley is the obvious option.