Wednesday, July 06, 2005
Lang Park
Had a great time at Lang Park, watching the Wallabies take on France.

The French had come off a tough time in South Africa, having lost and drawn two fairly bruising battles. When England came last year, after 2 torrid losses in NZ, they were really not interested in playing Australia and were hence thoroughly humiliated 51-15.

The French, to their credit, were amazingly enthusiastic and tackled all night. This, after they had probably spent much of the night up late watching videos of the Wallabies backline moves.

Despite Larkham's best efforts, the French managed to nullify Australian first phase play and the Australian's tries all came from line breaks rather than spinning it wide in a set plan (Larkham's opening try was the case in point). This is probably a blessing: to beat either SA or the AB away, as they will have to do to win the 3Nations, they will have to be inventive and adaptable, as well as being well-drilled.

Every time the French threatened, the Wallabies scored, topping it off with an amazing flowing move through a dozen hands to finish with Turanui under the posts.

The Wallaby pack managed to nullify any threat from the rolling maul. The French should have been as equally adept at this as the Italians, but little ground was made here. The front row suffered a little at tight head. If Australia is to win the 3Nations, Al Baxter must play the best four games of his life.

Jeremy Paul's throw-ins were pretty much on the spot (one, I think was not straight), but in open play he always manages to find the space. Not only did he score a try, but he set up the move and later created the last try for Turanui with a great fend off, taking out the last two tacklers. He probably has the highest scoring rate of any hooker in the game.

The Wallaby first phase play was very flat, leaving Larkham and Gitteau little time to make decisions. While this modus operendi works well for quick ball and/or making line breaks, when it is not drawing enough defenders in, perhaps resorting to the more fluid deeper running backs (bringing Latham in from deep) would keep defenders thinking.

However, the French running lines sometimes confounded the Australians, especially when they ran from deep. This will need to be looked at and to an extent emulated. After much criticism last year, the ABs can now play either flat or run from deep.

Gitteau missed 6 out of 8 kicks at goal. This is a worry. Though a couple were tricky, a better conversion rate than 25% will be absolutely essential when 3Nations competitions are decided by a few points. Eddie Jones cannot let this situation continue. If Flatley is not going to play (and on merit he probably shouldn't) then the standard of goal kicking between Gitteau, Rogers and Mortlock must improve. If this means an intensive masterclass for one or all of them, so be it.

All in, an absolutely cracking game. When two of the best soccer sides meet, all you get is a dour game of chess, interupted by flashes of genious. When two of the best rugby nations meet, it is a hour and half of dashing, flowing rugby, played at speed with (pretty near) absolute precision.

The British and Irish Lions - not really roaring.....

Across the Tasman, the British and Irish Lions were effortlessly blown away again, thus loosing the series. After making comprehensive team changes from the first loss, Woodward will no doubt make comprehensive changes for the last game. At least that way, most of the 535 players that he took on tour will get a game.

Despite the loss, Wilkinson will probably be picked again. Being good mates with Woodward and all.....

All is shaping up for a great 3Nations. New Zealand, South Africa and Australia all have better teams than last year. My prediction: all teams will win their home games and loose their away games; therefore down to points difference again.

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