Wallabies knew what was coming at Eden Park, but were powerless to stop it
The Wallabies were taken to the hurt locker by the All Blacks on Saturday, and the methodology used against them would have been all-too-familiar.
Former Wallabies coach Dave Rennie’s imprint was all over the All Blacks’ performance, so the Wallabies knew what was coming and will feel a little disappointed at how they failed to stop it. The high ball was an issue, but it’s an issue for everyone these days, and the Wallabies main area of improvement before the rematch in Sydney on Saturday will be to put some pressure on the ball carrier.
Even in the first half, players such as All Blacks No.8 Wallace Sititi were happily taking the space offered to him by the Wallabies. The All Blacks had two or three metres to wind up before they hit the advantage line and it was a factor that took a massive toll as the Test wore on.
Some Wallabies jackallers will feel they didn’t get much protection from the officials when the All Blacks came in from the side, but if you can’t stop a Rennie side on the gainline they are going to keep coming to unleash a back line that has markedly improved since last year.
The good news for the Wallabies is that they can resolve the issue, but they’ll need to get in the faces of the All Blacks on Saturday.
Suaalii’s tackle technique remains an issue
Joseph Aukuso-Suaalii can’t seem to get some bad habits out of his game. His no-arms tackle on Jordie Barrett in the 69th minute was no doubt borne out of frustration, but he is developing a reputation as a dangerous tackler. It’s a shame because Suaalii’s shift to the wing is unlocking his athletic potential on attack. However, his tackle on Barrett wasn’t even close to being legal and his defensive reads will be targeted by the All Blacks.
Hip-drop blitz is coming to rugby
Rob Valetini’s tackle on Leroy Carter in the second half at Eden Park will be illegal from November 1 – and will likely result in a ban. Carter was injured in Valetini’s hip-drop tackle and there is no doubt that it can cause damage, but players will be in a race against time to change their techniques for the end-of-year tour. World Rugby issued the update on the hip-drop tackle earlier this week, and said they were relatively rare, but once you start looking for illegalities in rugby you’ll tend to find them. Smaller players, such as No.9s and No.10s, are particularly prone to using the hip-drop tackles as a way of bringing bigger opponents to the ground, so the November Tests may open up a can of worms.
Why the high ball is so hard to defend
There was a moment in the second half that summed up the Wallabies’ struggles under the high ball – All Blacks halfback Cam Roigard put up a box kick from inside his own territory and No.6 Tupou Vaa’i ran on to the ball as full speed to regather it. After escort runners were deemed to be illegal at the end of 2024, the team kicking the ball has all the rights in the high-ball contest. A few years ago, there is no way the Wallabies would have let Vaa’i run a clear line to get that box kick: he would have been shepherded out of the way. As noted in the top item, the high ball is a headache for everyone in Test rugby: even the Springboks struggled with it against the Wallabies in Perth. The rewards are coming for teams who kick well, and Wallabies halfback Ryan Lonergan was second best to Roigard on Saturday. It was uncharacteristic from Lonergan, but he was one of many Wallabies who had an off night in Auckland. Paradoxically, his sub-par performance reflected how important he has become for Les Kiss’ side.
The Tahs prop involved in a scrum clinic
It’s a long way from Sydney to Whangarei in New Zealand’s far north in more ways than one, but Waratahs prop Dan Botha looks as happy as a pig in muck. Botha played a key role in Northland’s quarter-final win against Tasman in New Zealand’s NPC on Friday, anchoring his team’s dominant scrum. Northland have used that set-piece as a weapon all season, winning penalty after penalty, so it is highly likely that Botha will return to Australia with a few new tricks up his sleeve. The Waratahs will be delighted, because Botha will now get to play in a semi-final and experience all the pressure that goes with that. The prop wasn’t first choice for a lot of the Northland campaign, but injury gave him an opportunity and he has grabbed it with both hands. He even performed in a stirring team haka before the quarter-final, so the move to New Zealand has been a rich experience for the 24-year-old.
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