Bob Dwyer Rugby Workshops

     After each of the Texas camps, we asked players and coaches to give us words or phrases that they thought defined the performances that Bob Dwyer Rugby Workshops had been exhorting – and teaching – and we asked that, in preparing future practice sessions, they take care to ensure that such qualities would be demanded from their own players. We listed the following – dynamic, urgency, support, pace, technique, aggression, no hesitation, intensity, no ‘stop-start’ game, no static play, communication, enthusiasm. All were accurate – we had frequently used these words to describe and demand accurate performance from the players. Then came one word which perhaps encapsulated all of the above – “relentless”.

     Alas, the Wallabies were none of the above in last weekend’s game – at least until the final 5 or 10 minutes, when we finally saw the urgency and enthusiasm (perhaps desperation) that was needed throughout. The time for all of the above is from the referee’s first whistle, not just before his last. Instead we were treated to a series of attempted ‘flukey’ plays, the ones that may give you a score, without having to work too hard to achieve. Most comment that I have read has blamed the forwards and they must take their share, but I blame the backs also – maybe more so. Our attack was totally lacking in quality. Quality attack asks questions of the defence – we asked virtually none. No “numbers in motion around the ball-carrier” to provide the small time and/or space that great players can use. No patience to build from each small gain, so that the final breach and score can be achieved. Such is the honesty of effort on which true rugby is based. We wanted the cheap, easy way out. A far cry from Brad Thorn’s response after another All Black last-quarter comeback last year, “We knew that, if we all did our own little jobs well, the result would come!” Small gains from our potentially match-winning backs can be built upon by the forwards – if we ever give any credence at all to quality support – and in turn open final opportunity for the backs again. The backline gave virtually no such gains back to the forwards, at least until the game was lost. A performance must be built on such foundations, but, with none, we could not stand up under pressure – nor should we!

    Thank goodness Alan Gaffney is returning to Australia. We may yet again see the quality backline ensemble play that was once the hallmark of Wallabies – and the envy of the rest of the rugby world.

    Now to our forwards. Phil Kearns mentioned in commentary that the late David Brockhoff would have been distressed at the lack of accurate body-height and aggression at the tackle. True indeed - and so also would his disciple, Jake Howard, who would never have permitted such heresy during his time with any team. James Horwill’s total strategy was to turn his back on the tackle and this was met with the response it deserved. I fear that the change of captaincy may have been ill-conceived! Can I say it yet again – quality attack requires numbers at the tackle with urgency and aggression, supporting good body-position and leg-drive. This will produce quick ball, no matter the opponent or the referee, and create space. Urgent realignment will allow the productive use of this space.

   To me, the Wallabies performance smacked of a lack of genuine respect for the undoubted ability of our opponents. Rocky Elsom was quoted during the week as saying that the Ireland team contained “too many quality players to be disregarded”. What misguided fool ever thought otherwise?