Bob Dwyer Rugby Workshops

The ‘next batch’ of international matches, to be played over the coming months in the Southern Hemisphere, were kick started on the weekend – one in Cardiff and the other in Canberra.

In Cardiff, South Africa showed their World Champion status by defeating Wales, fielding all but a second string side. No thanks to the wonders of modern communications, we were unable to watch this match in Australia! In Canberra, Australia brushed off the cobwebs and finished with an encouraging 49-3 victory over an under-prepared Fiji team, scoring seven converted tries in the process.

The win introduced a number of first caps for the Wallabies. Flanker, Matt Hodgson, hookers Huia Edmonds and Saia Faingaa, and prop, Salesi Ma’afu, were all first-starters in a Wallaby pack which worked tirelessly for 80 minutes. Kurtley Beale, at fullback, and Rob Horne, at outside centre, both debuted in an impressive backline. Seven tries scored, six of which came in the final fifty minutes, while keeping a talented attacking Fiji side tryless, says a lot about this first-up performance by a ‘new-look’ team. Indeed, Beale, Horne and Cooper (at fly-half) would still be considered ‘on trial’, and it would take a brave man to confidently predict the final first-choice Wallaby backline for this season.

The front-row ran on only after a raft of injuries to recent Wallaby tourists and certainly has a “let’s wait and see” look about it. The win therefore can justifiably be described as “promising”!

The performance was based on a well-organized and committed defence, with the tackling hard and low, and a relentless leg-drive which consistently drove the big Fijian players backwards. This was clearly a focus for the Wallaby team and Robbie Deans, at the post-match conference, made particular reference to the fact that “the body positions were low and strong”. For a significant period, late in the game, Fiji hammered the Australian tryline and perhaps a face-saving try for the visitors would have been expected, but the Wallabies were having none of that at all and were most impressive in their determination to “keep them out”. Scrum-half, Luke Burgess, who has not enjoyed the best of seasons to date and whom many considered lucky to get his spot in the team, was particularly conspicuous in this tremendous defensive effort. New cap, Salesi Ma’afu, was another to shine.

A most productive backline attack, on the other hand, was based on the performances of a number of talented individuals, rather than a cohesive team effort. This is not a criticism; indeed, talented individuals will always be ‘components’ of a talented backline. This is great material for the coaches to develop. All of these backs, including the ‘bench’, have good to excellent speed. All of them, perhaps with the exception of the scrum-halves, have great footwork  - Cooper, Beale and Ioane are indeed outstanding. Horne and Ashley-Cooper run outstanding ‘lines’ and are difficult to tackle. Cooper, Beale, Ioane and Mitchell have great vision and this quality significantly extends the variation of the Wallabies attack. Horne and Ashley-Cooper run straight and Cooper has the ability to do the same; this puts severe restrictions on the width of any defence. All of this adds up to a foundation for the development of a world-class attacking unit.

“Development”, of course, is the key word. It indicates the possibility of something in the future. It poses the question of “how to develop?” In fact, all that is necessary is “to rub off the rough edges”. Someone once said to me, in reference to the development of rugby players, that “you don’t grind diamonds, you polish them!” The problem is, of course, that diamond polishing is a skilled art; you can’t just walk in off the street and start polishing priceless diamonds. Our catch-&-pass skills need to be refined. The ’sympathetic pass’ must form a natural part of our game. A clear understanding of width and depth must be developed – but softly and quietly. The long, spiral pass – so often fired at the receiver – must disappear from our game; the ball in the air for a long time helps only the defence.

Straight running – from others as well as Rob Horne – second touches, loop plays, support in depth; these must all become an intrinsic part of ‘our game’.

The world is our oyster! I’m excited and waiting – impatiently!

Footnotes.

In 2003, at a pre-season trial match against the Auckland Blues, I saw a young winger for the first time. Rupeni Caucaunibuca was a second-half substitute and scored three tries. Over the next two seasons, I saw him a number of times and each time I was enthralled. I saw him score against the Brumbies – an ‘impossible try – and against France in the 2003 World Cup – I swear that even the French team applauded. I doubt if we’ve EVER seen his equal. It’s a crime that he is now a 116kg centre. Please God, bring the real ‘Caucau’ back to us!

I watched, on the telly, a couple of the early games at the Junior RWC. They were great. England v Argentina was an excellent game of the highest quality. England were a beautifully prepared team, featuring a number of undoubted stars of the future. Most, if not all, are members of full-time professional academies, and full marks to the RFU system.

Most, if not all, of the Argies are ‘after-hours’ rugby players. As with England, they were natural rugby players, with vision and enterprise. It speaks volumes for our game; don’t miss it.