Ireland 18 defeated Australia 9
Dublin - 09 November 2002

Just when we thought it was safe to head back to the Northern Hemisphere...

The Wallabies left Australian shores with high hopes and a desire to exorcise the ghosts of last year's dismal European tour. Their optimism and great expectations now seem grossly misplaced.

For those of us who found the match against Argentina so very dispiriting, Saturday's game against Ireland promised an opportunity for redemption. Surely it was simply a case of brushing away the cobwebs against the Argies. Surely, against the Irish, the clouds would clear, the sun would shine, and before our eyes the men in gold would be gloriously transformed into the New Improved Wallabies, huge of body, fleet of foot, and ready to successfully keep Bill in our own backyard for another four years.

Sadly, it was not to be. As the rain came down, and the Lansdowne Road pitch increasingly took on the appearance of a hockey field, the Wallabies turned in yet another woeful performance.

From the outset, it was clear that there were no new tricks in the Wallabies' attacking play. The Australians failed to adapt to the slow, slippery and boggy conditions, in a display not dissimilar to their mediocre efforts in Christchurch earlier this year.

The Wallabies failed to shine in any area of play, with the possible exception of their defence, which was, as ever, solid. However, in the course of both attacking and defending, the reigning world champs gave away far too many penalties, often as a result of a complete lack of on-field discipline. This played right into the hands of the Irish, whose game plan was quite simply to defend tenaciously, keep the ball in the Australian half as much as possible, and wait for the Wallabies to either drop the ball or give away a penalty, which they did with alarming regularity. This was manna from heaven for Irish sharpshooter, Ronan O'Gara.

O'Gara's tactical kicking was superb. Steve Larkham's was not. But what continues to surprise is just how much Larkham is kicking. One can understand that wet conditions will generally necessitate more kicks in general play, but even when it became apparent that this particular tactic was not working for the Wallabies, they steadfastly refused to throw the ball out wide. Wendell Sailor looked hungry for the ball, and made some decent ground whenever given the opportunity. The problem is that he only received the ball three times in the whole match. Likewise, Scott Staniforth on the left wing.

The Wallabies continue to look one dimensional on the field. The much-overdue rejuvenation under Eddie Jones has yet to materialise. And we're all left scratching our heads and wondering - why? Jones proved with the Brumbies that he has the ability to raise the skill levels of his charges, and to introduce innovative attacking strategies. And yet similar changes seem to elude the national team. For all the strategic planning, skills work, practice and toil, the Wallabies seem to have only two attacking options - bash it up the middle, or bash it up the middle then throw a couple of passes along the backline and bash it up out there - both of which opposition teams have, not surprisingly, cottoned on to. We can now add a third - win the ball and then kick it aimlessly down the field and try and win it back again. Hardly the stuff of a team with any real aspirations for World Cup glory.

What must be noted is the sterling play of the Irish, who - unlike their opponents - played with passion and heart. What they lack in "star power" and athletic ability, they more than make up for by playing to their strengths, and playing with commitment. Proving true the old saying, a champion team (yes, I am being just a tad generous here) beat a team of champions. They were deserved winners.

The Wallabies have many, many problems to address. Clearly, the team lineup and subsequent positional experimentation has been disrupted by a substantial list of injuries - with the likes of Rogers, Latham, Tune, Grey, Waugh, Lyons, Sharpe, Paul, and now - tragically for the big fella - Finegan, all currently unavailable because of injury.

Certainly, the Wallabies will be praying for a dry Twickenham track this weekend, as they take on a most impressive England side, fresh from a stunning victory over the All Blacks. Handling and ball security were a major problem against both Argentina and Ireland, and though it is tempting to put it down solely to slippery conditions, one gets the distinct impression that sloppy execution is also to blame. Likewise at the breakdown, where too many players have found themselves isolated and have subsequently relinquished possession, often for being penalised for holding on to the ball.

The backrow has been worryingly quiet so far this tour. Clearly, Jones is itching to put David Lyons in at blindside, for the Wallabies are in desperate need of a second, authoritative backrow ball runner. At the moment, opposition teams are always on the lookout for Toutai Kefu. Lyons will keep them guessing.

The backs are a mess. Gregan and Larkham are playing well beneath themselves at the moment. Gregan, in particular, needs to start mixing it up a little. There will be rejoicing in the streets when he starts running the ball every now and then. Mortlock proved, yet again, that outside centre is where he belongs, though - ironically - he will likely find himself back on the wing if Rogers is passed fit for the clash with England. I am also convinced that we need a play-making inside centre. Dan Herbert is stoic in defence, but he simply isn't an inside centre, and may have to make his way to the bench. Elton Flatley is solid, but I don't think that he is the answer either. For mine, Mat Rogers is the obvious choice, but injuries may well mean that he doesn't get a run in that position on this tour, which would be a real tragedy.

Something needs to be done, one way or the other, for the Wallabies have failed to score a single try in more than three halves (two hours!) of rugby. In fact, the Australian team has scored just 12 points over that period. That's only one point every ten minutes - and that is simply not good enough. Not by a long shot.

We have what is shaping up as a crucial game for the Wallabies' collective psyche against England this weekend. A victory at Twickenham will go some way to allowing the Wallabies to take away some positives from this tour. For it must not be forgotten that Australia will be sharing Pool A in RWC 2003 with none other than Argentina and Ireland. And that really is cause for concern.

It sounds terrible, but I'm actually looking forward to the post-RWC 2003 era, as many seasoned veterans retire from international duty. It will be sad to see them go, but one gets the impression that new blood on a wide scale is required to truly reinvent this Wallaby side. The likes of Jone Tawake, Mat Rogers, Matt Dunning, Lote Tuqiri, Matt Giteau, Adam Freier, Nathan Sharpe, Daniel Heenan and co., are the future of Australian rugby. Their time will come, and collectively they have the ability, like the Burkes, Gregans, Larkhams and Eales before them, to once again change the shape of rugby union in this country.

- Dan Fowell