Following the opening games of the Test action in the southern hemisphere, Wallabies great David Campese gives us his learnings from the international arena.
Speaking to Planet Rugby’s James While, Campese looks over the Springboks v Ireland, All Blacks v England and Wallabies v Wales openers and also this week’s rematches.
Green envy
“There’s a lot of noise in the press this week about the perceived unfairness of the Springboks and their bench tactics. 6/2, 7/1 or whatever, they’re unloading their replacements to devastating effect as we saw on Saturday,” said Campese.
“The Bok starting front-row were under pressure as Andrew Porter had a storming scrummaging performance against Frans Malherbe, but once Rassie Erasmus launched his offensive in terms of his replacement strategy the difference those subs made was absolutely immense. Vincent Koch in particular transformed the scrum picture and that last set-piece will haunt Ireland forever.
“But the noise over this being unfair is ridiculous and uncalled for. If any country had the forward riches the Boks have then they’d do exactly the same, I can assure you. Now, I might not be a fan of the forward arm wrestle, but things like this get people talking – the tactic brings a new dimension to the game and for me, it’s fully valid, and I believe that anyone criticising does it from a position of envy rather than anything else.”
Ireland loyalty hurting
“Another major takeout of that game that disappointed me was Ireland’s inability to play heads up rugby and to react to what was in front of them. Bundee Aki isn’t the player he was a year ago and pairing him with Robbie Henshaw means whilst you’ve a barrelling defence, Ireland have little creativity in attack. I note that this weekend, Andy Farrell has had to make a change with Aki out with a shoulder injury but I believe it’s for the best,” added the former wing.
“Since Johnny Sexton retired, a lot of the game control fell to the outstanding Jamison Gibson-Park, a seasoned Test player with a lot of different weapons in his attacking tool box. Without both of those players, Ireland have defaulted to attacking by playsheet and really aren’t the creative team of a year or so ago. It’s not helped by the fact that they’ve been carrying Peter O’Mahony at blindside flanker, who offers little else other than a lineout and some sledging and I’m pleased to see that the far superior Tadhg Beirne has moved to six this week, a better carrier and a far more rounded player.
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“But returning to the midfield, Garry Ringrose has to play as first choice every time when fit; he’s their X-factor player and can unlock the Bok rush defence. I noted Rassie Erasmus predicted he’d start last weekend and that tells you a lot. It doesn’t matter which of Henshaw or a fit Aki starts at 12 as both are world class inside centres but average outside centres. I’ve no doubt that he will be far more worried about defending the corner with Garry at 13 and Ireland need the Leinsterman’s brilliant creativity more than ever to offer attacking counterpoint to their usual structural game.”
England consistency
“I know I have a reputation for bagging the Poms, but I have to say I’ve been impressed by their consistency and the way Steve Borthwick is evolving the attack plan. Marcus Smith was brilliant with ball in hand but his kicking cost England and I’m perplexed as to why Henry Slade didn’t take over the duties,” Campese continued.
“Nonetheless, set-piece aside, it was only in the floor and ruck battle where New Zealand had an competitive advantage and England‘s Sam Underhill, who was a machine in defence, really needs to up his control over that area at Eden Park.
“But England are evolving and they learn from every win and every loss. Maybe they’re a top class pacy 13 short of a Test team as Slade offers some useful touches but he’s never going to skin players on the outside, but I like what I see and they’re moving their game forward intelligently and consistently.”
Propping problems
“In my career you always knew that playing Wales, Ireland, Scotland or England that you’d face a powerful scrummage,” he revealed.
“But I have to ask, what the hell has happened to propping up there? We saw New Zealand trolley England and really gain a competitive advantage there. Wales were eviscerated in the opening exchanges by a Wallaby team that’s consistently come off second best against everyone in the Rugby Championship and Ireland – well they might have had a good period in that first half but once the benches were unloaded we saw the Boks give the Irish an absolute stuffing – a lesson in legal dominance – that resulted in that incredible penalty try and a yellow card for Ronan Kelleher.
“It appears to me that there’s something really wrong with the way the academies are looking to develop big props, especially tightheads. The fact that England and Ireland were all fielding props that are unlikely to make the next World Cup cycle emphasises just how deep the issues must be.
“It’s enough to make me, an out-and-out winger and lover of running rugby, raise an eyebrow – and that tells you all you need to know!”
Wallaby way
“I saw the green shoots of recovery in the Australian backline over the weekend. The back three is outstanding – Tom Wright had a huge game at full-back and his try was a wonderful piece of top quality finishing. With the likes of Andrew Kellaway around him, we know there’s Test quality firepower in that backline and I hope Joe Schmidt continues with their selection,” the Wallaby great enthused.
“Test backs need to learn to play together. The Wallaby way is about teamwork, support, decision based rugby, something that underpinned all of the great sides I was privileged to play in during the 80s and 90s. Our centres are still running training ground moves and that’s holding them back, but I urge the selectors to stick with the guys chosen over this last weekend or two. The only way they’ll learn is by getting out there and making decisions under pressure.
“So my message to Joe is keep the faith, we don’t have a large player pool but there is a defined Wallaby way and the only route to reclaiming that identity is the players building an intimate knowledge of each others’ skill sets and giving them the opportunity to problem solve under pressure.”