I really believe that Robbie Deans’ appointment as Wallaby coach is the single best thing the ARU have done in years. After letting John O’Neill go off and build soccer up and using Knuckles for a few terrible years, Australian rugby was well and truly stunted. I think that despite the loss of the Tri Nations/Bledisloe (I still think we were unlucky there, perhaps Graham Henry did out coach him to an extent with the use of the subs), this has been one of the best Test seasons we’ve had in a long time.
Why? I think that despite relatively low score lines and some below par performances (against Italy and France), we’ve come up with wins. Twelve months ago this would not have been the case. In both games I think that the Wallabies of twelve months ago would have gone wanting and lost the plot. I think this is due to Robbie – it’s the Crusaders ‘get out of jail’ style of play. Those hands for Hynes to score were sensational – we’re taking opportunities that see us win the games. When we start playing Deans’ football for 80 minutes I think we will win back the Tri Nations. Big call, but that’s how Ill call it.
The other thing that has been really noticeable is how much poorer the old laws are. The ELV are sensational to play and in turn provide much better spectacle for the fans. The amount of penalties on the weekend was disgraceful, very dull to watch too. Most of the Super 14 was better to watch than these Tests (although it is always good to see England thumbed), the Tri Nations was a cut above too. Seeing now the Northern Hemisphere sides can’t beat us with the old Laws then maybe they’ll be more relaxed to trailing the new laws!
That is all
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