Finally we're ready for the World Cup

[chook]

The un-Growden-like Gerry Collins ( not to be confused with Jerry Collins).

Finally we're ready for the World Cup

By Grandstand's Gerry Collins

It's almost with a sense of relief that we can now look forward to the Rugby World Cup.

After some farcical rugby internationals and controversial policies affecting major competitions like the Super 14, the moment has arrived.

There'll be no more playing ducks and drakes (although there will certainly still be some tinkering in the pool matches).

The event for which so much has been done and so many words have been spoken is finally ready to take centre stage.

Despite the extraordinary criticism in Australia of the weekend's Bledisloe Cup match, the Wallabies showed enough to their supporters to indicate that they are not without a chance of winning a third World Cup.

Did the many people who complained about there being only one try in the match happen to see what weather it was played in? We were told that Eden Park was a good draining ground and it obviously is but still we saw water splashing up as the players ran.

At times they were playing in pouring rain. You just don't expect to see many tries in such a situation. You can also expect that the All Blacks would be more used to such conditions than those from the sunburnt country.

Sure a World Cup semi-final in Paris in October might be played in rain and if both teams advance that far, New Zealand would have an advantage. Yet their dominance was not so convincing that you would expect them to win every match between the two nations.

Given different conditions, the Wallabies may have been closer still.

If we think back to 12 months ago, we were considering the All Blacks were in a different league from the Australians.

The Wallabies have come a long way in that time.

While you could argue that the New Zealanders have come back to the field somewhat, it may be more of a case of the field finally catching up with the tear-away leader.

Australia and South Africa have a big advantage over the northern hemisphere teams, in that they have been able to compare themselves in full Test conditions against the trend-setters.

Both have done enough to suggest that they could win on any given day against the All Blacks. But what of the host nation, France? What about Ireland, or the defending champions England?

They have the advantage of the World Cup being played in their territory.

Of course it is only early in their season but because it is very late in our rugby year, will that tell against the Southern hemisphere sides?

Will Graham Henry's decision to rest his players from Super 14 prove to be a master stroke?

And what happens to Australia if they lose any of Gregan, Larkham, Giteau or Mortlock? Have they had to rely too much on their veterans?

From September 7 these and many other questions will be answered. Some of the theories and plans are going to be seen as total failures. One head coach will be seen as very astute. That is the coach of the World Cup-winning team.

But which coach will that be?

[The EnForcer]

Good article! Nice to read some positive spin on the Wallabies....it should all be like that from now on....every little counts!

[Skiza]

Wow an objective article

[JediKnight]

Positive spin for the Wallabies.....but I don't think that the Aussies even looked like scoring a try at the weekend. I can't recall many (any?) linebreaks or camping in the All Black 22 (the only camping on the field was done by Byron & the ref....!!!).

There's still a lot of work to be done before the Wallabies are real contenders for RWC glory, IMHO.

What rubbish that tries can't be scored in the pouring rain.....the 6N would be very dull if that were the case. I seem to remember a fantastic day at Murrayfield when the Scots beat the English in atrocious conditions and Duncan Hodge scored a magnificent try to win the game......ah, happy memories!!!

[Burgs]

I seem to remember a pretty wet Lansdowne Rd last year too

[Burgs]

Gary Ella slams conservatism

By Peter Jenkins
July 25, 2007

FORMER Australia centre Gary Ella was shocked last night over the Rugby World Cup snub for a hooker he claims can be the greatest the Wallabies have produced.

Ella slammed the omission of Tatafu Polota-Nau from the 30-man squad for France as an indictment on the conservative approach taken by coach John Connolly and his fellow selectors.

Coach at Parramatta Two Blues, from where Polota-Nau has emerged, Ella said the Wallabies have overlooked a trio of young-gun match-winners for steady but unexciting alternatives.

"They take Sean Hardman as a third hooker ahead of Tatafu because he's a reasonable lineout thrower and scrummager," Ella said.

"But there's no X-factor there. He's not going to make a break with the ball, he's not going to make the big tackle that can lead to a turnover and points.

"That's what Tatafu gives you.

"He has so much raw potential but we're never going to see it the way it's going. When are they going to start him in a Test? Everyone knows how much talent he's got but he can't get regular game time."

Polota-Nau, who turns 22 tomorrow, made his debut against England at Twickenham 20 months ago.

Earmarked as the world's best in his position, the bull-like rake has managed just three caps, all off the bench.

"It's all so very conservative," Ella said, suggesting that rookie New South Wales wing Lachlan Turner and mercurial teenage five-eighth Kurtley Beale should also have been part of Australia's Rugby World Cup squad.

"Why haven't we seen Lachie at this level? He should have been exposed after what we saw during Super 14. They could have taken Kurtley, too.

"The thing is, they have plenty of steady and reliable players and the chances of success at the World Cup are reasonable.

"These three guys are every bit as good, if not better, than the players chosen ahead of them."

A couple of final questions for you Gary.
Why is it only New South Welshmen you think have been hard done by?
Who (apart from Polota-Nau/Hardman) would they be replacing?
Why aren't you a selector?
Why don't you put your hat in the ring for the Wallaby job next year?

[AndyS]

And while I don't disagree about TPNs potential, how is it such a worldbeater isn't even first choice for his S14 team?

Similarly Beale and Turner. They may be talented but do they have the necessary all-round game when they get the ball on the back foot under pressure from some monster back-rower? It is no good for anyone if they have a moment of brilliance but get run over in defence. They are young players and I for one wouldn't want to see them carrying the burden of a "speedhump" moment.

[Burgs]

That Beale "goosestep" Andy, gives me a cold shudder just thinking of a MacCaw, Collins, Howlett or Burger hitting him in mid air

[AndyS]

Exactly. Maybe we are wrong and he could just step up, but if so I'd have expected more from the few glimpses we got in the S14. To then throw him in at the next level up as well...it's asking a bit. It's the World Cup, and I can absolutely understand the selectors wanting to know the players are capable rather than relying on a couple of hail mary's.

[JediKnight]

Again it brings me back to the 3rd hooker being McIsaac....experience at International & Super14 level and not disappointed!!!

[Burgs]

...and covers Loosehead

[chook]

Plenty of time for TPN to develop. He's a lil tacker at 22 so he may as well focus on ARC S14 etc and be a force to contend with in 2011 with 4 years of experience under his belt.

[Burgs]

Certainly see it as a race between Polota-Nau and Faingaa for 2011 unless someone new pops out of the porridge next year.
I doubt Moore will hold them off for that long without dramatic improvement in his basic Hooker specific skills (throwing/hooking).