My thought on the Wallabies:-
The good:-
1) to my single and only watching it seemed the defensive pattern changed without having to shuffle the backline about to cover the dual playmaker rubbish. The defensive line was also far less compressed from the start and managed usually to have better set numbers wide.
2) Amazing - who'd have thought it, having a balanced backline in terms of skills would result in more fluent attack. It didn't pay off but that was the best attack the Wallabies have put together this year. As I've said I don't give a rats arse who starts but select one of Foley or Cooper and be done with it. I don't think the situation would be better with either Beale or To'omua fit. Pick a 12 at 12.
3) As with point 2 - very good to see a balanced backrow. Every player had an impact for their role. Was that the first lineout the Wallabies managed to steal all year? Our lineout was still under pressure but was better than it had been. To all those still bashing Mumm, the ABs couldn't get a single maul moving largely due to the efforts of Mumm to disrupt it. There hasn't been an Australian backrower able to execute that ability consistently since Ben Mowen. Apart from Fardy being so far out form it is why I think Mumm is picked over him and Timani at 6. The Lineout and the maul defence.
4) Phipps had a pretty good game I thought, but he should have been replaced after 50 as he was blown.
5) The attack structure - gone was the constant recycle of Larkham, Finally FFS. The Wallabies actually look to something with the ball, helped by some actually go forward from the forwards, provided by Timani, Kepu and the locks and close support for them, allowed by Point 3.
6)The scrum, starting and finishing tight 5s were good.
The bad:-
1) Hodge. I am unconvinced. A big bloke with no leg drive, not much pace and falls off too many tackle. Don't get me wrong I thought overall the Wallabies backline was the best it has been this year having somebody actually play 12, but I am not convinced Hodge is the man. The best game the Tahs played all year was with Horne in his natural position at 12, maybe he could be a solution, or from left field Tapuai, that's if my preference of Kerevi to 12 is unfavoured. The charge down. DHP has been in the side all year and is yet to make a single clearing kick that I can remember. He has a very good boot, why not use it and have two or three options at the back to keep the opposition guessing as to where the clearance is coming from? No lets be smart and telegraph it so he can show how good he is under pressure.
2) Speight - he has never been a good defensive winger (await Brumby fan abuse), but he is one of few top grade wingers in the country with genuine speed.
3) Skills - as usual the skills just are not up to scratch, BUT I think they may be improving.
Overall (scoreline ignored) the Wallabies performed far better than I expected and I'm happier for that. I did predict a 5 to 1 tries scored unfortunately but the actual performance was far better than anything else they put on at any time this year. I won't say anything at all about the ABs, as I've said it before, nothing has changed.
