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Axing Dave Rennie for Eddie Jones was a pointless exercise
By Paul Cully
If there’s one lesson from Australia’s poor results, it’s that a change of coach was not going to reverse the Wallabies’ fortunes.
1. Eddie pile-on is as pointless as Rennie’s sacking
The Wallabies have lost 15 of their past 20 Tests and they have just one truly competitive side in Super Rugby Pacific. Australian rugby is in a real hole, and Joseph Suaalii isn’t going to get them out of it.
The problems are structural. Prior to the first Bledisloe Test, the Herald took an impassioned call from one Super Rugby chief executive (the topics discussed will be laid out at a later date) and while Eddie Jones makes himself a big target for criticism, that is a bit like blaming your high street bank manager when the Reserve Bank lifts interest rates.
Jones is grasping for answers. Against the All Blacks, he had to turn to a No.10 who plays for a Super Rugby club with no culture of winning, nor even playing in Super Rugby finals. No one had any evidence with which to judge how Carter Gordon deals with pressure, and his performance – for mine it was a pass – was exactly what you’d expect from someone at that stage of his career.
There have been questionable Jones selections of course, but that is the life of the rugby coach. What the past month has shown, however, is the utter futility of parting ways with Dave Rennie, who hadn’t lost the players and took a far weaker Wallabies squad than the one assembled at the MCG on Saturday to the brink of wins against France and Ireland.
2. Allan Alaalatoa was the biggest story of the night
The Wallabies’ 38-7 loss was predictable to a large degree, but there is of course some truth to the pre-match argument that the Wallabies’ Rugby World Cup hopes wouldn’t be defined by Saturday evening. However, the loss of the Wallabies’ warrior No.3 really does affect the campaign in France – in a big way.
Allan Alaalatoa of the Wallabies leaves the field.Credit: Getty Images
Even if Taniela Tupou recovers from his rib injury – why was he left on when he was clearly distressed? – the Tongan Thor’s impact in France was always going to be impacted by his double act with Alaalatoa. Tupou doesn’t have Alaalatoa’s work rate, discipline, or accuracy. He has been at his most effective at Test level as a replacement – and somewhat cruelly he showed good great signs with ball in hand at the MCG in his limited time on the field.
If Alaalatoa is gone for the season, it is nothing short of an enormous blow to the Wallabies, with Sam Talakai probably the most ‘like-for-like’ replacement.
Rieko Ioane scores for the All Blacks on Saturday night.Credit: Getty
3. No respite likely in Dunedin
The All Blacks probably made more unforced mistakes at the MCG than they did in the previous two Tests. Coach Ian Foster conceded afterwards they were “very flat” in the opening half, and in many ways the frantic opening spell took them away from their emerging strengths.
Yes, they have gamebreakers aplenty, but they are increasingly looking like a side that is at its best when they go to structure. The long wait for a scrum meant they couldn’t get Jordie Barrett running at the Wallabies’ midfield as much as they would have liked, nor exert the superiority at set-piece that Jason Ryan and Greg Feek have brought to that area.
In other words, the All Blacks have plenty of improvements left in them, even though they are likely to ring the changes for the Test in Dunedin on Saturday. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see Leicester Fainga’anuku and Samipeni Finau picked next week – and possibly Dallas McLeod as well – and those selections will bring power and enthusiasm. Will Jordan’s switch to fullback for the last 25 minutes in Melbourne could also be a preview of what’s to come under the roof in Dunedin.
Team of the Week
- Angus Bell (Australia)
- Codie Taylor (New Zealand)
- Tyrel Lomax (New Zealand)
- Eben Etzebeth (South Africa)
- Scott Barrett (New Zealand) - Player of the Week
- Pablo Matera (Argentina)
- Dalton Papalii (New Zealand)
- Duane Vermeulen (South Africa)
- Aaron Smith (New Zealand)
- Richie Mo’unga (New Zealand)
- Mark Telea (New Zealand)
- Santiago Chocobares (Argentina)
- Rieko Ioane (New Zealand)
- Mateo Carreras (Argentina)
- Will Jordan (New Zealand)
4. The Wallabies’ big problem position
Ben Donaldson must be a chance to play next week, with Carter Gordon possibly benefitting from a week out of the spotlight. However, the Wallabies’ main selection issue is probably at No.9.
Tate McDermott’s core skills let him down at times on Saturday, while Nic White had underwhelming Tests against South Africa and Argentina. However, the veteran No.9 still looks like to be their best option, and the Wallabies’ greater appetite for keeping the ball in hand and hitting around the fringes against the All Blacks should suit him.
Tate McDermott gets a pass away against the All Blacks.Credit: Getty
Ryan Lonergan also needs game time, although Eddie Jones would likely acknowledge that the best performance at halfback in recent weeks came from Issak Fines-Leleiwasa when he added genuine spark off the bench for Australia A against Tonga. The Rugby Championship has raced by and left the Wallabies with more questions than answers at No.9.
5. Fiji buck the coach-change trend
The Wallabies, England and Wales have struggled after changing their coaches, but Simon Raiwalui’s impact for Fiji has been immediate and pronounced. They basically took apart a decent-looking Manu Samoa side in Apia on Saturday, winning 33-19 after racing away to a big first-half lead.
Fiji were poor last year but they are playing with a bounce in their steps and have been re-energised by the influx of players from the Fijian Drua. Look at some of the better players on Saturday – hooker Tevita Ikanivere, improving No.10 Caleb Muntz, winger Selestino Ravutaumada and midfield weapon Iosefo Masi: all products of the Drua.
Fiji have growing depth, and are an example of what happens to a Test team when the structure beneath them is the right one. And that’s the lesson for Rugby Australia.
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