While at times it wasn’t pretty; in fact the first 60 minutes of the game were a pretty dull, stodgy affair, Australia were able to maintain their momentum from last weekend’s 24-20 victory over South Africa with a 34-9 victory over Argentina in Mendoza. Despite not blowing spectators away for much of the game though, this was still an assured performance (indeed, the way Australia has stuck with the gameplan and improved in the final 20 minutes of both games so far highlights a growing maturity in this side) bar the all too infrequent disciplinary issues that were the main reason the scores remained close in the opening half. Two late tries do however put Australia top of the Rugby Championship table with on points difference, with just the small issue of a Trans-Tasman derby to decide the champion of this year’s shortened event. Here are three takeaways from Australia’s perspective following the win.
Australia Keep Momentum Going Against Argentina
1) Hooper’s wild moment could disrupt lethal backrow pairing: As previously mentioned, Australia have performed remarkably well in the final 20 minutes of each game so far; outscoring their opponents 26-0 (31-0 if you include Dean Mumm’s try in the 59th minute). This, not coincidentally in my opinion, happens to be the period in both games where Michael Hooper and David Pocock have been on the field together, though the overall impact of their bench has been strong in both as well. In short, they are two of Australia’s five best players and it’s very easy to make the case for both as the best openside flanker in the world. So far; seemingly afraid of the loss in size of not playing a traditional number eight, Michael Cheika has refrained from starting both at the same time, but with The World Cup just around the corner I’m almost certain he would have in one of the two upcoming Bledisloe Cup contests. However, following a moment of madness from Hooper in the 59th minute on Saturday, he may not get the opportunity. The incident has put a serious dampener on an excellent couple of weeks for the green and gold and was one of several needlessly aggressive and ill-disciplined moments that prevented Australia from opening up their lead yet further.
2) Folau underlines world-beater status: Before The World Cup proper starts I’m going to write more in depth about all things Izzy. In the meantime, perhaps the most unique player in the sport emphasised his dominance and unmatched quality against Argentina lavishing his always mind-blowing aerial abilities and freakish running game with some impressive kicking and defensive positioning that has been missing from his game at times. Australia will need a similar level of consistency and reliability from their star fullback in the next two fixtures; where they will come face to face with New Zealand’s tactically astute kicking game. His performance also provided a welcome reminder that, even at his current exceptional level of play, Folau is still learning and growing in the game at a far faster rate than most his age, with 2015 marking only his third year in the sport.
3) Front row depth could be key against Wales and England: Whatever your opinion on scrums, their importance in the modern game is undeniable and; for the past decade, have been the widely publicised Achilles’ Heel for Australia. That may (may…) be changing though. Against Argentina, the front row of James Slipper, Stephen Moore and Greg Holmes generally struggled against their more powerful opponents but the introduction of Scott Sio and Sekope Kepu in particular, though also Tatafu Polota-Nau, turned the tide completely, as they bested Argentina’s starters before obliterating their replacements. Both Sio and Kepu are also very effective ball carriers, with Kepu fully living up to his billing as a converted number eight, displaying not only self-evident power, but good hands and impressive footwork while Sio is quite simply a ball of muscle with no visible neck whose centre is so low when he picks up speed it’s remarkable his barrel chest doesn’t brush the turf. Since the infamous end to the Lions Tour it’s been Kepu and Slipper who have got the starting nod; but with Moore absorbing Slipper’s role as a key link man and potential first receiver, Sio provides more strength and solidity elsewhere and should be given a chance to start. If he can backup a string of impressive cameos with a good 60 minutes before The World Cup, he could be the key in stopping Australia succumbing to England and Wales’ powerful scrums.
With consecutive games against the best team in the world, Australia will soon know exactly where the stand before travelling north for The World Cup. If Hooper can’t play in either it’s hard to see the wallabies keeping up with the frenetic pace New Zealand can reach. Either way though, Cheika still doesn’t appear to have definitive answers at 1, 8, 10, 11, or 12; however, the squad as a whole appear to be in a better place than even 6 months ago.
“Main Photo”
