Australia vs France - match 1 and 2 reviewed by Mike Penistone

Wallabies v France 1st test - Weds 7 July 2021

More questions than answers.

The Wallabies went into this first International as favourites. Once again France has arrived with an understrength squad, with several key players including the captain back in France.

Wallaby players playing in France, Phillips, and Beale, warned not to take this squad lightly and so it proved until the 83rd minute.

The Wallabies were rusty, the French adventurous. 0-15 and France in control. The Wallabies were plagued by a raft of unforced errors. Effort enabled the Wallabies to turn around 7-15 and green shoots appeared. The second stanza was a messy affair. France doing just enough to stay ahead, until a bazaar final scenario beginning in the 80th minute. France led 21-20 and were awarded a penalty. All they had to do was win the lineout and kick the ball out to win. They failed to do both, and the Wallaby forwards battered the French line until a penalty in the 83rd minute sealed a win for the Wallabies.

A new Wallaby side under a new coach, with the advantage of a 14-6 penalty count !!!!, against a French B team, should not celebrate too long.

Certain factors need consideration.

• Why is Michael Hooper swimming around with the tight 5 in phase play? Where have those scorching 30/40-meter midfield breaks gone off short passes?
• Rob Valentine needs to offer more than just crashing the ball into opposition. It will not work against the Northern Hemisphere teams including the World Cup holders!
• Harry Wilson and Hunter Paisami will be better for the experience.
• Paisami is a genuine talent and maybe a better 12 with Izaia Perese at 13?
• Jake Gordon must attack the line, even under line speed pressure from the opposition.

Selection for game 2 may provide more fluency.

Clinical, would be my key word in preparation.

Attack the pressure, my key phrase.

All Blacks v Fiji - Sat 10 July 2021

The All Blacks made several changes to the team that defeated Tonga by 100 points. Brodie Retallick and Beauden Barrett, both returning from Japan.

The Fijians a different proposition to the Tongans with many players playing in Europe. The Fijians could rightly be described as mobile physical specimens, huge men on the hoof!

The All Blacks again demonstrating excellent passing execution, perfectly weighted passes, accurately made to open the score. The first half remained a physical confrontation and a challenge for the AB’s. Such is the variety in All-Black play, aligned to intense pressure, they easily find a way to open the door; David Havili scoring two tries to send the Blacks in at Halftime 21-11. Havili is making a real statement for the No 12 shirt.

The second half became a contest between All Black technique and Fiji power and brute force.

An improving area in All Black play is there passing and weight of pass accuracy. Aligned to composure on the ball there is a fluency about their back play that is a joy to watch.

Technique is their go to default when under pressure. Excellent line out catch, and drive technique enabled hooker Dane Coles to score a hat trick of tries from 5 meters out, then he scored a fourth by just being in support! Extraordinary performance.

Both Wales and Australia are in the same World Cup group as Fiji, will have taken notes!

Dossiers will also be filling on the refereeing performances of Southern Hemisphere referee’s, especially at the ruck, where at times it is a return to the Eton wall game, where anything goes. A flying Fijian a meter off the ground travelling at 20K is to be avoided at all costs.

The Fijians did get within 10 points, but All Black technique saw them pull away and win 57-23.

The teams meet again next Saturday.

Coaching thought.

“When is advantage over?” The matter needs to be addressed by the law makers. Players and spectators need greater clarification.