Bledisloe III +Super Pacific Rugby Announcement

The call of the crib.

The Wallabies have won 14 out of 17 tests played in Perth. Food for thought?

Due to impending additions to the family, both teams had absent stars; Whitlock, Smith, and Mo’unga for the All Blacks, Paisami and Loto for the Wallabies.

Samu Karevi, having spent a season in Japan returned for the Wallabies in the key position of 12. Straightening the attack and penetration essential.

Three Barrett’s return for the All Blacks, Scott, Beauden and Jordie. Former world player of the year Beauden, another back from Japan, given an opportunity to wrestle the 10 spot back from Mo’unga.

Pre-game the hugely resilient and competitive Wallaby captain, Michael Hooper highlighted All Black strengths….

• Their ability to withstand pressure.
• Their ability to seize the moment.
• Then relieve it better for themselves.

Well Michael got it right. The All Blacks did just that, again and again and again.

You can’t beat the All Blacks with one technically competent back row forward!

It is now a selection issue and shrewd observers will have taken note of Dan McKellar’s comments at half-time. He should be the next coach…….and soon?

One on one post game reviews with players should include such questions as….

• Why did you kick that ball?
• What were you trying to achieve?

Many kick of course because they feel unsupported. If there were two or three players in support, they might not kick????

Where now for the Wallabies.

Well, the brutes from South Africa oppose them next week. Hence, it’s win quick ball and shift it, realign quickly, and shift it again, run into space, support on the inside, and scream for the ball. Urgency the vital mindset, because as England found in the first 3 minutes of the World Cup final, the blood will flow if you make it confrontational up front.

For the Wallabies it’s almost a two-team game. The bench may be needed earlier. McDermott has the “bottle” to challenge the South African forwards, and he takes quick taps and goes, but he needs close support. Hodge looked sharp and runs straight! Petaia is another Koroibete so may sneak in on the other wing? Michael Hooper didn’t look too healthy at the end but must play. Swinton and Valentini must go. Samu gets one spot and maybe they play a second row at 6 and challenge the lineout? Then bring Fraser McReight on later.

South Africa’s second half scrummaging against the Lions was seriously effective. Channel one ball and away quickly please.

Cheeky little kicks from 10, through or over. Second man plays, but only if the passer runs straight first, and the angle isn’t too steep, then we might get Banks running straight onto the ball.

This week’s mindset High Tempo throughout and play the way Australians like to play!

Areas I could have mentioned.

• Discipline
• Unforced errors.

But I didn’t.

Super Sunday Sept’ 12th. Double header on the Gold Coast.

New Zealand V Argentina

South Africa v Australia

Coaching thought. “Match the message to the moment.”