Why the Wallabies had to silence the referee's whistle to claim an England draw
Among all the comments that came out of the Wallabies after their second Test loss in Brisbane last weekend – they missed crashes, too many self-plagued, misguided lineouts – there was one key underlying message.
Key points:
- Australia lost the second Test in Brisbane due to their inability to close the game
- Improving their discipline will be crucial because of England captain Owen Farrell’s goal kicking prowess
- The return of Queensland striker Harry Wilson should give the Wallabies an extra dimension of attack
Australia just didn’t have enough patience to last longer than a dodgy England side who, through Owen Farrell’s boot, only managed to stay ahead the entire game.
As a result, when they returned in the first game of a draw in Perth, they couldn’t be in Brisbane — all because of their own faults they made in the face of relentless pressure from an England team desperate to break records. losing four times in a row.
There’s not even a pattern to it. It started with a toppled lineout with 10 minutes to play. James O’Connor kept himself isolated in the 72nd minute.
Jake Gordon delivered a superb pass forward to Marika Koroibete in the 77th minute. Angus Bell was pinged in scrum a minute later. Rob Valetini had more of a ruckus in the 80th minute from the corner of the side fence than “through the gate” needed.
When it matters, and when they need calm more than ever, all they find is fault.
Basically, they were running out of time to chase England’s 25-17 lead.
And it didn’t help that the Wallabies gave England – and Farrell in particular – chances for regular points.
Four first-half penalties following Billy Vunipola’s effort put England 19-0 up after 32 minutes but this has been the trend in both tests to date.
Farrell has taken nine penalties from 11 attempts in this series, with the Wallabies discipline responsible for most of them.
Instead, and even with the Wallabies opting for corner kicks and chasing tries on occasion, Noah Lolesio took only four penalty attempts to draw.
Wallabies’ injury toll is worryingly rising as well.
World Rugby’s newly extended 12-day concussion delay saw Jordan Petaia drop out of the Sydney Test soon after he failed the HIA in Brisbane, while Izaia Perese (patella), Scott Sio (shoulder) and Cadeyrn Neville (knee) were added to the list of victims to see. roughly a third of the current Wallabies squad is unavailable for the third Test.
As such, Rennie has been forced to make changes at the selection table, making four changes to his starting team for the third Test and another six for the bench.
With full-time on Saturday night, he will use as many as 32 players in three games.
He only mentioned 35 before the series started.
So as well as promoting Brumbies pair James Slipper and Nick Frost off the bench last week in Brisbane, he’s also called up formidable Queensland Reds backrower Harry Wilson and Melbourne Rebels fullback Reece Hodge.
Wilson, famous or perhaps not, was left at home during last year’s spring tour of Europe and was instead given a few things by Rennie and the Wallabies hierarchy to work on during the low season.
Things like speed in contact, and less footwork and subtlety with the ball in hand, rather than the bulldozer approach favored by the last eight and some politicians.
It worked—Wilson not only led Super Rugby Pacific by a good margin in 2022, he was the only forward to break into the top 10 for yards earned.
So Wilson is not only ready to get more balls under the arm than any other player in the competition, but he’s also the most effective ball carrier forward.
“He’s been pushed really close to selection over the last few weeks, and it’s great to give him a chance,” Rennie said.
“It’s been a pretty brutal series, as far as injuries on both sides tell us, but Harry is fresh and ready to go, and looking to rip off.”
And while there are some—mostly parochial—arguments for Reds full-back Jock Campbell to win a test debut, it’s hardly surprising that Rennie walked away with 55 Hodge tests for the tie against Old Foes.
Having lost three different fullback options in two games, Rennie needed certainty with his number 15 shirt.
“We have a lot of faith in Reece. He was Mr Fix-It and he filled many different positions,” Rennie said.
“He came right in and put it in really well. He has a big kick game which we think will benefit.
“He will also fill in the holes during the game. He’s one of those players that we know, based on injury or need, he can play somewhere even if he doesn’t train there all week. He will be very clear around the game. roles and what to expect.”
England coach Eddie Jones was also forced to make changes, with Ollie Chessum coming into the second row, after Maro Itoje was sidelined having left the second Test in Brisbane early due to a concussion.
Backrower Lewis Ludlam also came on, with Sam Underhill returning to England after his final blow.
Scrumhalf veteran Danny Care returned to the starting team as well, pushing youngster Jack van Poortvliet back to the bench.
Rennie said the Wallabies will make the most of Sydney Cricket Ground’s rugby history as they look to get the job done and secure a draw win in front of a sold-out crowd.
This will be the first time the Wallabies have played at SCG since 1986.
“And maybe the last time too, with the opening of the new Football Stadium,” said Rennie.
“The first Wallabies test was played there against the British Isles in 1899 and now it’s probably the last test against England, so it would be a fitting finish for SCG.
“Full crowd, fit for the occasion, all in and going to be decisive.”
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