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Mailbox: Australia`s Subiaco spoils

Wednesday 23rd July 2008

World chumps? Wallaby fans have been singing their side's praises

The Wallabies opened their Tri-Nations account with a valuable win over the fancied Springboks in Perth over the weekend. In the process, they have also opened up a flood of mails from impressed Australia fans, irate South African supporters and everyone else in between...

What a competition the Tri-Nations is turning out to be, the speed at which all teams are playing is amazing. The game certainly exposed the inconsistencies of the Boks who couldn't out-muscle the Wallabies, without Fans Steyn the picture may have been even worse. The ABs must have taken the wind out of the Boks, it's always tough with three consecutive games in Australasia. Not sure why the Boks took off their most experienced players at key moments of the game though.

Didn't see the superior skill levels of the Boks as Glen Elferink described last week, I think all teams are so similar that this year it will be go to the wire. Stupidity with the quick throw close to the line was ridiculous.. more up top than brawn is required from the Boks. The Aussies will definitely push hard for the honours this year. The Bledisloe Cup game will be too close to call, will depend on the injuries. Hopefully see some back magic..20-18 to....?

- T. Max (London)

Well.....as predicted, this game was won by Australia at the breakdown. The line-outs were even at best for SA. The scrum spoils were shared and the Wallabies, mainly through George Smith, had a decisive win at the breakdown. The SA defence was exceptional and only through this the Boks escaped with a bonus point. Where was Schalk Burger? Didn't really see him all night.

The Boks were obviously a little fatigued having their third Test in as many weeks but hats off to Australia who are generally more comfortable against the ABs than SA. With Vickerman back next week the Wallabies should feel quietly confident going in to Sydney.

The Tri-Nations is wide open with SA holding a slight advantage after securing a win on the road.

Go the Wallabies!!!

- Joe Blow (Bahamas)

It is great to see a ref have a positive impact on a Tri-Nations game this year. Talent and creation are rewarded and the Wallabies crafted a good win against a superior team. Well done all round.

- J Lindsay

I really despair when I see stuff like this - the Wallabies were constantly on the wrong side of rucks and mauls and the ref just did nothing - coupled with the two missed Wallaby knock-ons (one admittedly difficult to see, but the other blatant) this just knocked the stuffing out of a tired Bok team who spurned several chances with spilled ball. It also looked like the ball was knocked back by the Wallaby defender when Brits passed and Habana scored i.e. that could have been given as a try - rub of the green - maybe, but it just happens too often against SA. Score-line aside, SA were poor but the better team on the day, but the record books will say otherwise so we'll have to move on. Speaking of which, Wallabies definitely looking like they have great potential and if they can make use of this momentum will be the team to beat in the Tri-Nations.

- Dave

Arguably Australia had the better of this match and at two tries to none, did the job. But again, decisions at crucial parts of the game appear to disfavour South Africa. In the 27th minute Jean De Villiers broke the line and the Springboks continued for the tryline, but Luke Burgess tackled the ball carrier, JP Pietersen, FROM AN OFFSIDE POSITION (He's trotting back watching play with his back to the Australian line - his back should face the SA line and forward to the Australian one - the mere explanation of this is ludicrous!). He approaches from the SA side of the ball. It is so blatant that the referee misses it completely, is flummoxed and panics to make a total mess of the decision. If the Australian player is thus exonerated and deemed on side then that part of the game was played to two sets of rules! This constitutes pathetically inept refereeing. Had SA scored and gone 10-0 up at about the 30-minute mark, it could have been a different match. When Australia scored a similar try in the SA 25 the opposition observed the laws which enabled fair play and a good try ensued.

Another troublesome area which renders the game less appealing as a spectacle for the paying viewer, in the Tri-Nations matches to date, is entry to tackles and rucks which is often dubiously offside and the ELV that allows a tackle from behind does not allow a player to then fall on the opposition side of the tackle and effect a play that prevents cleaning out and thereby SLOWS THE GAME and prevents the attacking team from going forward by denying and effectively killing quick phase ball. This is in direct contradiction of the innovation of ELVs (which incidentally to the Southern Hemisphere and SANZAR are experimental and not de facto as they are erroneously touted). New Zealand is most guilty of illegal entry in enacting a tackle or thereafter in hitting the ground on the opposition side of the ball and blatantly so in both Tests.

The suspension of Bismarck Du Plessis overlooks the fact that the NZ player also involved - Adam Thomson infringed in the tackle area with royal abandon, sometimes penalised but most overlooked and worthy of a yellow card for spoiling play and counter to the spirit of the ELV's and the game as a spectacle.

For the sake of a better style of rugby that so is assiduously promoted, standards of refereeing need to be raised and in my opinion neither Bryce Lawrence nor Stuart Dickinson have what it takes to professionally do the job. When do we leave the realm of amateurism behind and reach true levels of professionalism that this game cries out for? Their fitness as athletes also appears questionable.

In the interest of good, open running rugby these areas need seriously to be addressed.

- Gavin Louch (Japan)

Not a perfect performance from either team but a win is a win. The Boks blew some chances, so did the Wallabies. The telling factor was the gold forward pack standing up and doing the hard yards. The green men had no go forward and were lacking the spite they showed against NZ. Maybe that was their problem, playing the game straight doesn't suit them.

- Erin

I find watching the games with Australian commentators hard going, to say they are one-eyed is being nice to Stevie Wonder!
The breakdowns were very poorly whistled with the Aussies getting away with murder, George Smith doing his job and getting away with it which is fair enough.That said the Boks were poor at times and looked tired - three away tests in three weeks was always going to be a big ask.

Once again the scheduling needs to be looked at, Argentina included somehow and this ludicrous extended version scrapped. Its a farce.
Bakkies is turning into a liability and gives overseas commentators the stick with which to beat us. He needs a crippling fine from SARFU, hit the man where it hurts, in his pocket. As an SA supporter I don't think the ELVs suit our game at all and I hope most are binned.

Why do we want Union to be more like League?

- John Fotheringham

Again a far below par performance of the referee. What else do I need to say. I am a Kiwi with a Bok heart, but how poor can one be, not understanding and judging by the ELVs...mother!!! The clown refereeing this match gave away 11 points to Australia. If the refereeing is as focused as the ones during the last three weeks we are in for a surprise. Just pay the idiot to do their jobs for heavens sake!

- Tony Boersma

I wouldn't blame the Boks for losing this one. It was clearly evident that either they didn't want to play this test, or showed signs of player burnout after 2 torrid tests in NZ or they just came here to be content with just a losing bonus point. Who knows...Victor Matfield may say anything but it was for all to see that there was not the same intensity and eagerness to play as was in the last two weeks. South Africa gave everything to win a Test in NZ and it was like winning the World Cup over again and nobody can blame them for a simple slip up after that especially after being compelled to play other two best ranked sides three times in a row.

Saying that, as a neutral observer, I was disappointed with the Wallabies. They were fresh after two weeks of rest and some of their players did not play for sometime because of injury. But their intensity was also so lacking. If not combination, intensity & enterprise should have been there to make the game a little entertaining. They had no excuse for it. In fact, when they had the ball in their hand, they kicked so much for territory (I think that was how the Boks used to play). Their two tries came from errors from the Boks. In fact, I saw the Boks trying to run the ball out from their own 22. Generally, after what we witnessed after the first 2 weeks of the Tri-Nations, this was a slug fest and lacked so much pace. I almost dozed off to sleep at times because of the slow pace. I salute Peter De Villiers for instilling in his team to run with the ball to make the match entertaining. I hope it would get better from here if not we rather have a Two-Nations and let the Boks and the All Blacks battle it out. It would be great to see them play week after week or it is high time that a fourth team should be brought in to even things up.

- A Fijian in NZ

Wobbly Wallabies? A Bok fest??

The only thing that wobbled was the Bok scrum - two long arm penalties against it and not a threat all night to the Wallaby scrum who enjoyed solid ball. The famous Bok back row was comprehensively outplayed at the breakdown by their opposite numbers!

Matfield and Botha - piped by Horwill and Sharpe in a points decision

Defence...pretty even all round but love watching replays of Stirling running straight through De'Villiers and carry three Boks to score...match winning stuff.

Tuqiri - on the high ball (told you so), punishing defence and smashing tackles to get over the advantage line - he is a strike force on his own. Peter Hynes - the revelation continues

Enjoyed that immensely!

-John A (Manly)

The World Chumps are at it again. Last week they complained of illegal scrumming by the ABs, sounded like Jake White was there complaining about the Wallabies illegal scrumming. Now after a gutsy win by the Wallabies the World Chumps are complaining about the ref not controlling the breakdown and line-outs.Thats why the Wallabies dominated...

After all the talk in the week by the Puppet how it was going to be war and Butch "no-arms" James was going to target Gits....sounds like sour grapes to me.

All in all, a gutsy determined win by the Wallabies.

- Frik van Zyl

Great defensive match!! Neither team could generate a very consistent offensive attack, which didn't make for the most exciting match in the world, but it was MUCH better than the World Cup final! Looks like any supposed issues with the Wallaby scrum have been pretty much put to rest. Australia's defense was superlative, and New Zealand needs to sit up and take notice of the Wallabies. And possibly do some wondering and soul-searching about how Robbie Deans got away.

The defensive attacking scheme used by South Africa seemed to open up some holes in their defensive line, but the Wallabies just couldn't seem to consistently capitalize on the apparent gaps.

South Africa seemed a bit tired, and after two bruising matches against the All Blacks, it's no wonder. But the Springboks, even though playing a great defence, had twice as many missed tackles as the Wallabies. Was that due to just plain fatigue?

The Australia v New Zealand match should be a cracker!!!

- Reid Parker (Huntington Beach, CA, USA)

As Australia were the main advocates of the ELV's explaining that it would produce more try's. What the hell happened in this game. Seems as if the 'whinging Oz' brigade are reverting to the 'any way you can - win' attitude. Unbelievable. If they have a problem with attendances at games that is for them to do something about - like start winning. Rugby is a sport and if you play and win spectators WILL pay to watch. Stop buggering about in the southern hemisphere with a game that caters for ALL shapes and sizes!

- Village Idiot

Pathetic, woeful, apathetic, dismal. Words that come to mind when considering the Springboks' performance.

Yes - I was arrogant in victory last week (deliberately so, but that's another story), but this is not so much humble pie as it is disgust at what must surely be one of the worst Bok performances since at least 2006. Even White's "B-team" for the away leg of last year's 3N were better.

No, Mr De Villiers, Muir & Gold - a long, tough away trip in Australasia is not an excuse. Did you think it would ever be easy? Players are professional now and the Boks of old once played 3 or 4 test match series over yonder and put up a better fight than this effort - as amateurs. Food for thought.

And don't blame Bryce Lawrence. Although a consistently terrible referee, you at least know what you're going to get. The Boks, with only 10% more commitment to the breakdown and securing maybe only 2 or 3 more loose balls would have surely achieved a marginal victory? How can THAT forward pack concede so many turnovers at ruck time? Turning up in a green jumper is not good enough to win tests, boys.

What a waste of a watching much anticipated test rugby. I can't even say the Wallabies were good!

- Glen Elferink (PE, South Africa)

Saturday morning's game was the first rugby match in a long time that I voluntarily decided to switch off and do something different. The constant bash it up the middle unless of course there was a tactical change in which case it was kick it up the middle did absolutely nothing for me. I don't remember even a single maul to provide some variety.

I like rugby... during the season I will attend two or three games in a weekend. I spend my hard earned cash supporting professional and amateur rugby and I just couldn't stick Saturday's game.

Is this a result of the ELVs? I don't know and will have to wait until I see them in the flesh. I am certainly discounting all of last week's PR about the support the ELVs have from professional players. Professional players are just that - they get paid to play whatever the laws are. I have yet to hear anything from the amateur arena where people pay to play rugby. An arena where there are no neutral touch judges let alone 4th and 5th officials and TMOs.

Can a lone referee adequately officiate the ELVs? Is the game more enjoyable to play? Are more people trying out Rugby Union?

The coming season will tell us a lot in the Northern Hemisphere. For those of us involved in the amateur game, it will be an interesting one.

- Liam Byrne

And other bits and bobs...

If a single Kiwi so much as mentions the referee or tactics of other teams the rugby world comes down like a ton of bricks. Here we have the world champions and world number one going around the world leveling accusations of cheating and racism at the opposition and publicly attacking the referee after every loss. It's a disgrace.

RWC07 has done a lot of damage to rugby union and empty seats are a testament to how much. The game is viewed with suspicion by many (outside insular Britain) and the behaviour of the South African only accentuates that. If they win they gloat if they loss they accuse the opposition and referee of cheating, if anyone dares challenge them on anything they insinuate that nation is racist in the world media. Welcome to rugby union 2008.

Like many I've had enough. I've canceled my rugby channel subscription and haven't watched a single game this year. With different laws in operation, referee issues, NH poaching, Stephen Jones and South Africans bring race back into rugby it will take something special to get me through the turnstiles again. Rugby league is looking better every day.

The game is dying.

- Steve Hawke (Waipawa)

It's time for fans get over the disappointment of Cardiff at last years World Cup and let it be gone and forgotten for the sake of the All Blacks. On average Graham Henry, would lose only up to one game a year at INTERNATIONAL LEVEL!!! Which in my opinion is outstanding, before the time of the World Cup, Graham's achievements were obviously something to be proud of: In 2004 he retained the Bledisloe Cup, beat the world champions (England) twice on New Zealand soil and went on that year to win a Grand Slam tour. In 2005, a famous 3-0 whitewash win against the Lions in a very convincing fashion, won the Tri-Nations and in the process beat Australia twice (something that hadn't been done since 1997), retained the Bledisloe Cup and went on to complete a Grand Slam. In 2006, two consecutive wins against a Heineken Cup-winning forward pack from Ireland, a Tri-Nations and Bledisloe win with a whitewash of Australia again and a Grand Slam later that year with famous victories over England, France and Wales all on their home soil.

Obviously a year overshadowed by the early World Cup exit by the passionate France, who had played outside themselves compared to previous matches to clinch victory through a try that wasn't, apart from that the preparation for the RWC was going well with a Tri-Nations victory all decided through one match in Auckland between NZ and Oz, and they also retained the Bledisloe. As far I'm concerned the e-mail I've sent is pretty hard to argue with and my point is, Graham Henry should without doubt stay coach of the All Blacks because of his 87.5 per cent record.

- Scott Barker (Nelson)

Regardless of what they say, New Zealand, Australian and South African players will all make considerably more money in the European market. Yes they can say the lifestyle is one of, if not the biggest factor in their decision. It might be a large factor but the money being offered to players like Nick Evans and Dan Carter you would be crazy not to. High school and players in their early years of college forego finishing their degrees to make more money in their respective sports in the United States. When they are in form, teams and clubs are going to pay what it takes to lure them. When some haven't they have paid the price later.

The respective unions have two options, lobby the IRB to try and toughen the rules of overseas players or accept they might move on early on and try to make sure they do what they can to make them want to come back.
How about allowing players who have given a certain length of service to their respective country would be allowed to play for their country regardless of where they are playing. What about allowing a few players (maximum of 3-5) every season to play in the Northern hemisphere and still allow them to qualify for their country.

Its time to accept that money can and will never be matched and more top talent will know they only have a limited time to set themselves up from their career.

- James Chellingworth (Brisbane, Australia)

To date, our rugby world spectacle has predictably alternated geographic locations like our magnetic north and south poles. We are long overdue in our obligation to expand the interest of rugby globally.

Let us now begin the shortlist to involve nations that have not previously hosted the RWC - you know, include the rest of the world atlas and alas!

Italy are a very safe bet. They are economically strong and easily have the venues. They are close to France and Britain, so there will be lots of support.
Perhaps even both those nations will assist in hosting a few games. Italy can also act as the representative to the Romantic empire of neighbouring Spain and Portugal as well as South America; which all have very close connections with.

From there, we should go Big in Japan. They are an economic powerhouse and have the venues. Aside England, Japan has more registered players than any other nation, and rugby has been professional there for a long time. They will also represent all of Asia and can pimp a few games off to China. There is a huge market in Asia; which has over two-thirds of our world's population. Rugby is expanding there, so it would be nice to expose them and make them feel welcome.

I believe we must also push the USA to host a RWC within the next score. Japan and Italy will certainly serve as a positive natural satellite for the USA.
Sure it might make sense (or $$$) for England to host it everytime, but that would be counter-productive to the objectivity. I believe England could serve well as tourists - countries always welcome and enjoy hosting English touring teams, etc. They would play a bigger role as tourists in endorsing the sport globally, and that should flatter them.

- The Balls (Canada)