AUSTRALIANS, SPORTS mad by nature, don’t do defeats very well. Victory in sports is seen as something of a birthright and much of their national standing is measured by success in sports. Hence the Socceroos copped it after their 4-0 World Cup defeat to Germany.
They redeemed themselves to some degree in the 10-man draw against Ghana, but while that overshadowed the rugby team’s defeat to England, it didn’t deflect the flak from the Wallabies. Maybe against somebody else, but not losing to the English, mate.
So it’s been the Wallabies appear to have retreated into their shells judging by a somewhat tetchy press conference to announce their side to play Ireland yesterday. Robbie Deans was typically taciturn yesterday when flanked by four of his injury-ravaged and youthful-looking side.
As Brian O’Driscoll observed yesterday, the feeling persists England’s win hasn’t done Ireland any favours, and nor have the barbs coming the Wallabies’ way. To that list could yesterday be added the Wallabies former 1991 World Cup-winning coach Bob Dwyer, who is never too shy of an observation or two – hence the truly brilliant monicker Barb’d Wyer.
Recalling last year’s thrashing by the All Blacks and the defeat to Scotland, albeit intermingled with some very promising displays, Dwyer bemoaned the latest setback as another example of a team which takes “one step forward and then one, or even two, backward”.
Unsurprisingly, when this was recounted to Deans yesterday, it didn’t improve his mood. Asked if this was a pattern he’d ideally like to be rid of, Deans said: “That would be great. We’re obviously striving for consistency.”
When it was also put to him Dwyer reckoned the summit of Australia’s potential at the next World Cup was the quarter-final, it irked him sufficiently to vow: “I can tell you we’ll be better than that at that point. Everyone is entitled to their opinion. We’re working hard at it and this background of experience we’re getting will be a big part of where we get to.”
Asked if he thought people understand the need for Australia to develop a bigger squad, perhaps Deans was also mindful of Dwyer’s critique about the management’s patronising talk of World Cup development. “Possibly not, because you could go through almost a Test generation with the same combinations, because there weren’t as many Test matches and the reality of those Test matches was different as well, in terms of the speed and the impact, and combine that with the travel and less recovery time, often.
“But again that doesn’t matter. The reality is you only have to look at the injury toll and compare the injury history of this generation to the one previous and you’ve got a totally different dynamic. It would be great to be able to consider the same 15 week to week. But we can’t even do that. So achieving that sort of continuity at this level is not a possibility.”
The two changes from the team beaten 21-20 by England see Adam Ashley-Cooper and Luke Burgess reinstated for the injured duo of winger Digby Ioane and scrumhalf Will Genia, while Waratahs’ utility fullback Kurtley Beale and Brumbies scrumhalf Josh Valentine are called into the replacements.
Apart from four of the backs, all of whom will be wearing different numbers, especially as Cooper and Matt Giteau (who will apparently retain the place-kicking duties) have exchanged positions at outhalf and centre, only flankers Rocky Elsom and David Pocock survive from the 20-20 draw in Croke Park last November. Did that leave a sour taste in your mouth? “No, it didn’t, no. Obviously it hurt . . . It felt like a loss.”
On Monday, Alan Gaffney claimed the set-piece move from which O’Driscoll scored the last-minute converted try under the posts that earned Ireland a late reprieve was a Randwick play, Deans joked: “I’m sure he wasn’t the only one claiming it.”
To say Deans was at best nonchalant when scanning over the Irish team would be an understatement.
“No surprises there,” was all he offered, while he scoffed at the notion of targeting Ireland’s inexperienced backrow.
“To be honest, we’re looking at mastering ourselves. If we do that, we’ve got our best opportunity. That’s the nature of Test rugby. You’ve got to master yourself before you master your opponent. That’s what we’re working hard at. We hope to bring a fair amount of pressure to bear and if we’re able to bring enough to bear, it also exposes some lack of background. But as regards targeting an individual, the answer is no.”
