Rugbology 25 July 2023

Quick taps .......... Like the ABs fast starts : NPC almost here : Argies fully deserved win in Sydney : England going nowhere with Billy Vunipola at 8 : Eddie please pick Quade at 10 for Melb.

After taking the week’s break, it’s time to move on from a fine win over the Boks and focus on the Wallaby rematch in Melbourne. Much has changed in the last 10 months or so: Dave’s gone, Eddies back and the ABs appear to be an improved outfit. Whilst the Wallys have struggled, they almost caused a boil-over last Sept in this fixture as the ABs went to sleep after leading 31-13 and we all know how they got out of jail.

In both tests thus far, the ABs have roared out of the blocks and established big leads with very accurate 15-man footie. The 2nd half v the Argies wasn’t perfect but 31-0 up at HT it’s not an issue. Against the Boks, another hot start bookended with an excellent 2 try finish was very satisfying. Some were concerned with the 3rd quarter wobbles but not me - the Boks were always going to have a period of dominance and the ABs coped with it pretty well before storming home.

So really the only question remaining for the ABs and the coaching team to answer is, have they fixed the inconsistency problem which last year was something new and very concerning. Saturday should answer this and for me season 2 for Schmidt and Jase will have this sorted.

How much better does the AB backline function with Will Jordan in it ! He’s simply brilliant with opponents’ alarm bells screeching every time he gets the ball. Pray god he stays fit and I for one don’t care if he remains in the 14 jersey as long as he’s on deck.

Frizzell came good some more against the Boks which was a hell of a relief given the ABs struggles to settle on a big 6. As I’ve said previously, he just needed consistent game time and I very much hope he gets at least another 50 minutes in Melb.

And a wee nod to Richie Mo - he ran the cutter well, goalkicking was excellent and his late try was the sign of a 10 who’s very comfortable and confident. Another player benefitting from selection consistency. Plus Jordie looks set at 12 too - a real aerial threat and again the scrum held firm.

On form we should comfortably beat the Wallys this Saturday, so we need to stick with the starting XV from the Boks test and then use the return fixture in Dunners to give the backups a run. One change I would make, is Narawa in for Clarke - this latest Fijian wing is something special so let’s not wait.

Having a bit of a squint at the RWC squad and based on the ABs performances thus far, time may well have run out for the injured - the likes of Moody, Blackadder, Cullen, Tupaea, Tuipolutu whilst Mcleod, Finau and possibly Stevenson will just have to wait for next year. Got the hookers, props and locks sorted but the loosies still WIP as apart from Frizzell, we just lack size in this group which is why I’d take Finau and not Jacobsen.

And if Cane is ruled out for this Sat, it’s a huge game for Dalton because unless he produces, Billy Harmon is just humming at 7 and in my view is the best, most natural 7 in the country.

As for the backs, still a bit of drafting to be done and whilst combos are coming together, there’s no doubt some very fine players are going to miss out. A couple of spots probably depend on the total forward v backs mix and I’m picking the Hobbit will convince Fuzzy & co to take an extra forward. The midfield and wing is where numbers will be tightest just depends if 13 or 14 backs taken.

50 years ago ……….

This bit is the result of a question from a rugbologist the other day along the lines of “what AB result has upset you the most?”. I cast my mind back to the RWC final in ‘95, The Munster loss in ‘78 and even the Goldie Wilson dropped-over-the-line ball but finally settled on the following ……….. 1973 v England at Eden Park. A very short 4 match tour including a single test had been hastily arranged for what reason I can’t remember. But what I do recall, as a 12 year old, is sitting in the stand at the test with my father and witnessing the English after losing all 3 provincial games, eventually dismantle my AB heroes 16-10 after I think we led 10-0 early on …………… I was inconsolable - I just couldn’t understand it and it was a long sad trip home to the farm - I don’t think dad said much either. It wasn’t until a few years later that I realised 1971-74 was a period of global rugby dominance by England and that win at the Garden of Eden was not unexpected. Evidence;

1. the Poms contributed quite a number of stars to the triumphant Lions of 1971.

2. England in 1972 toured South Africa and comfortably won the only test.

3. the NZ win.

4. Again a number of English players starred in the best Lions team of all time who managed a 22 match unbeaten tour of SA including a comfortable 3-0 test series win.

That’s enough ………… go the ABs and remember pass it on - its easy to subscribe.

cheers