Cheika on Borrowed Time

As the dust settles on another Bledisloe defeat, it is time to take stock of where there Wallabies are. Although the defeat in Wellington was not as embarrassing as the one they suffered in Sydney, it once again raised some questions that Cheika and his selectors and coaches really have to take a look at.

One of them is where is the creativity? Once again, 80 minutes of International rugby has passed and the Australians didn’t look like threatening the All Black line. It took until the 70^th odd minute for Quade Cooper to give Israel Folau an inside ball and the full back to streak clear of the defence. He was caught close to the line and an unfortunate Nick Phipps lost the ball as he was reaching for the line. Where was this thinking and line running in the opening exchanges? Had they done this, maybe the All Blacks would have had something else to think about rather than the easy one out runners that they were facing.

Stephen Larkham has been hailed as one of the great Australian 10’s. He has made the transition to Brumbies head coach and is the Wallaby attack coach, is this where the problem lies? If you watched the Brumbies in Super Rugby, they were a forward heavy attack. Stephen Moore scored a very impressive 7 tries this season. The top scoring back was Joe Tomane who got 6 tries in only 8 appearances in an injury ravaged campaign. The Brumbies aren’t known for their exciting brand of rugby replying heavily on a strong set piece. This is then being transferred to Australia. The players are there to try and play the expansive game, they just need to be selected and allowed freedom to do it.

Bernard Foley got more ball than Quade Cooper on Saturday and he was playing at 12. It seemed that Cooper only got the ball in near impossible situations. He showed what he can do with the inside pass to Folau and doing incredibly well to get out of trouble when 5 meters behind his own line but he can’t do it all. He is one of those players that divides opinion. Some say you need a maverick like him against the All Blacks because if he is ‘on’ then he is untouchable, some say don’t have him anywhere near the squad as you don’t know what player will turn up. Cooper is a player, that, if backed and given confidence, the Wallabies can build a game plan around. Have him, Kerevi/Reece Hodge at 12 and Israel Folau at 13 then you will have a back line to frighten a lot of teams.

Now it is over to the selectors to be brave. Bernard Foley is currently living on reputation. His nerveless kicks to win the Super Rugby final in 2014 and the World Cup Quarter Final against Scotland have given him this aura that he cannot be dropped. When Cheika first took over, Foley was in great form, just look at his individual performance against England in the World Cup, since then, he has been mediocre at best. If he has to play it has to be in the 10 Jersey. At 12 he isn’t dynamic enough. He doesn’t have the burst of pace, he isn’t big enough to power through gaps it is a waste. Reece Hodge for example has those attributes. He burst onto the scene this season for the Melbourne Rebels, was consistently a potent attacking weapon but when he was brought on this weekend he was stuck on the wing, starved of ball.

Another selection that must come under scrutiny is the captain. He has been a magnificent servant to Australian Rugby but it may be time to look to the future. One of the main arguments against Tatfu Polota-Nau has been his lineout throwing. Whitelock and Rettalick have just had a field day in the last 2 tests against Moore’s throw. Polota-Nau offers a lot more around the park and although isn’t a spring chicken himself would aid the transition in playing style that needs to happen.

I like what I saw from Adam Coleman. The yellow card was foolish and naïve but it showed intent. He wasn’t there to be overawed by the occasion and the opposition. He was aggressive and on the front foot. In Sydney last week, the Wallabies rolled over and got steam rolled. They didn’t front up. This week from the first minute there was niggle. It is a tactic that, cynical as it is, needs to be used at times when playing against a superior opponent. Players like Coleman, and Sean McMahon are aggressive players, players that get into opponents heads, players that every team needs to compliment your Pococks and Coopers. I am not advocating foul play, what needs to happen is for players to stand up and put it to teams.

With a week off then an underperforming South African side coming to Brisbane, this is a crucial time for Cheika and his team. Lose this then I don’t hold out much hope for them, a win is imperative but the style of win is also important.

Written by Rob Seltzer for www.TheRugbyPod.com