If we were to believe some quarters, Australian rugby is perched on a ledge, staring into the abyss. In fact, the denizens of such an unholy place have been hovering around them for some time now, and again are now penning their demise.
Who are these wretched beasts, the individuals that cannot stand by the Wallabies “through thick or thin, through the good times and the bad time?”
Their local media.
Surly the Australian press has now overtaken the English as the most vicious rugby scribes to compose their tomes regarding their Wallabies.
Just weeks ago, the same inconsistent commentators were murmuring that a Grand Slam was achievable, moments after putting away arguably an England third XV.
The lack of perspective is surprising, considering that Australian rugby is in a rebuilding phase that could be classed as the most early of all of the test nations. While Robbie Deans may have been at the helm for nearly two years, many are taking for granted the fact that still the turnover of players continues.
Could any side lose Stirling Mortlock and not suffer? While David Pocock may have overtaken George Smith in the pecking order, it is still a change in a crucial position that has been consistent for a century of test matches.
The youngest side in test rugby is still coming to grips with the mentality required to compete and above all win international matches.
In this, one wonders if Deans has in fact made the correct decision in his recycling of players. The first name that comes to mind is Phil Waugh. Whether or not these players still have the quality or are fitting to Dean’s vision is almost a moot point.
Clearly the young and undeveloped Wallabies need some experience on the park.
But Deans is also struggling to implement not only a specific strategy with his team, and still clearly coming to terms that when compared with other tier one nations, Australia probably has the least efficient rugby nursery in world rugby.
The former Canterbury mentor does not have a Christ’s College, Ellesmere College or Christchurch Boys High that churned out rugby players that quickly adapted to first class football for the Crusaders.
It would be easy to say that the game at grassroots level is suffering due to the lack of success at the highest level, but it is more of a case of the Wallabies suffering due to the overall lack of development in the schools and local parks.
Australian football, rugby league and cricket scouts rove these sporting kindergartens constantly, can Wallaby or Super 14 talent teams make the same claim?
But despite all of this, the word perspective must again come to mind.
As must the feelings of expectation. The Wallabies have been in a state of flux for so long now; one must ask if the potential or opportunity to actually consistently compete on the world stage exists in the long term.
Yes they have won two World Cups, but since 2000 (which even allows for the last 13 matches under Rod McQueen) Australia has won 73 - less than 60% - of their matches. 21 of these win were against teams ranked outside the top seven or eight in the world.
Almost mockingly, seven of those victories were against Scotland.
Is it too harsh to heap too much belief on a team that has to compete with the two strongest rugby superpowers in history (All Blacks and Springboks) every year? Or is it with great irony that this could be the reason why the Wallabies should be expected to perform?
In life, it is a core psychological aspect of life that we often focus on the bad times, especially when the good equals the bad (14 wins from 27 games under Deans gives credence to this fact).
Australia has still inflicted one of the five heaviest defeats ever on the All Blacks in this time, beaten France four games straight, and beaten the reigning World Champions three times. They also, only two matches ago, almost downed the reigning Six Nations Grand Slam champions.
Holding probably one of the strongest Irish teams ever to a draw is a notable achievement.
But is this enough to offset a current seven match losing streak against New Zealand, their biggest ever test defeat (to South Africa in Johannesburg) and now a loss to Scotland?
For all the criticism directed towards the Wallabies, they did everything in Murrayfield (except win and score points!), and came up against the best Scottish performance in years. A belligerent sheer bloody minded Scotland that former Captain David Sole said summed up everything the Thistles are about.
Australia is living in a world where other nations are far stronger than them in the rugby pecking order.
At this time, they need support and some patience, before the weight of expectation and criticism unhinges any positives there are to be taken.
Who are these wretched beasts, the individuals that cannot stand by the Wallabies “through thick or thin, through the good times and the bad time?”
Their local media.
Surly the Australian press has now overtaken the English as the most vicious rugby scribes to compose their tomes regarding their Wallabies.
Just weeks ago, the same inconsistent commentators were murmuring that a Grand Slam was achievable, moments after putting away arguably an England third XV.
The lack of perspective is surprising, considering that Australian rugby is in a rebuilding phase that could be classed as the most early of all of the test nations. While Robbie Deans may have been at the helm for nearly two years, many are taking for granted the fact that still the turnover of players continues.
Could any side lose Stirling Mortlock and not suffer? While David Pocock may have overtaken George Smith in the pecking order, it is still a change in a crucial position that has been consistent for a century of test matches.
The youngest side in test rugby is still coming to grips with the mentality required to compete and above all win international matches.
In this, one wonders if Deans has in fact made the correct decision in his recycling of players. The first name that comes to mind is Phil Waugh. Whether or not these players still have the quality or are fitting to Dean’s vision is almost a moot point.
Clearly the young and undeveloped Wallabies need some experience on the park.
But Deans is also struggling to implement not only a specific strategy with his team, and still clearly coming to terms that when compared with other tier one nations, Australia probably has the least efficient rugby nursery in world rugby.
The former Canterbury mentor does not have a Christ’s College, Ellesmere College or Christchurch Boys High that churned out rugby players that quickly adapted to first class football for the Crusaders.
It would be easy to say that the game at grassroots level is suffering due to the lack of success at the highest level, but it is more of a case of the Wallabies suffering due to the overall lack of development in the schools and local parks.
Australian football, rugby league and cricket scouts rove these sporting kindergartens constantly, can Wallaby or Super 14 talent teams make the same claim?
But despite all of this, the word perspective must again come to mind.
As must the feelings of expectation. The Wallabies have been in a state of flux for so long now; one must ask if the potential or opportunity to actually consistently compete on the world stage exists in the long term.
Yes they have won two World Cups, but since 2000 (which even allows for the last 13 matches under Rod McQueen) Australia has won 73 - less than 60% - of their matches. 21 of these win were against teams ranked outside the top seven or eight in the world.
Almost mockingly, seven of those victories were against Scotland.
Is it too harsh to heap too much belief on a team that has to compete with the two strongest rugby superpowers in history (All Blacks and Springboks) every year? Or is it with great irony that this could be the reason why the Wallabies should be expected to perform?
In life, it is a core psychological aspect of life that we often focus on the bad times, especially when the good equals the bad (14 wins from 27 games under Deans gives credence to this fact).
Australia has still inflicted one of the five heaviest defeats ever on the All Blacks in this time, beaten France four games straight, and beaten the reigning World Champions three times. They also, only two matches ago, almost downed the reigning Six Nations Grand Slam champions.
Holding probably one of the strongest Irish teams ever to a draw is a notable achievement.
But is this enough to offset a current seven match losing streak against New Zealand, their biggest ever test defeat (to South Africa in Johannesburg) and now a loss to Scotland?
For all the criticism directed towards the Wallabies, they did everything in Murrayfield (except win and score points!), and came up against the best Scottish performance in years. A belligerent sheer bloody minded Scotland that former Captain David Sole said summed up everything the Thistles are about.
Australia is living in a world where other nations are far stronger than them in the rugby pecking order.
At this time, they need support and some patience, before the weight of expectation and criticism unhinges any positives there are to be taken.
0 Response to "Deans and Wallabies must ignore media scorn"