Aussies masters of wasted chances
Mon, 30 Aug 2010 08:28
Robbie Deans makes a point. (c) Gallo
Australia's press were despondent on Monday bemoaning that the Wallabies were the masters of ruining green and golden opportunities after their latest Tri-Nations loss in South Africa.
The Wallabies slumped to a 31-44 defeat to the Springboks in Pretoria last Saturday, after leading 21-7 and 28-17 to continue a 47-year run of losses at altitude in South Africa.
"The Wallabies uncovered another way to lose the unloseable Test on the Highveld," the Sydney Morning Herald said.
"Had the Wallabies shown composure, maintained some semblance of a defensive line, kept their set-pieces intact and used their chances wisely, one of the great Australian victories - and a first win at Loftus Versfeld - was in the offing.
"But no. Yet again the Wallabies' structure was shown to be flimsy, and their lack of experience in knowing how to put away an opponent led to the most exasperating of defeats."
The Herald criticised coach Robbie Deans for keeping experienced players on the substitutes' bench when they were needed in the final stages.
"Big moments require experienced players, and Stephen Moore would have made an impact in those final minutes," it said.
"Keeping Moore out of the action was a blunder by Australia's coaching staff, who strangely continue to underutilise their utility back, Berrick Barnes.
"He was once again not used off the bench, and was another player who might have been handy on the field around full-time."
The Australian newspaper said consistency was sadly lacking with the Wallabies, under Deans, who has now won 19 of his 36 matches in charge.
"Wallabies supporters continually cry out for more consistency but consistency is the last thing this team is geared to deliver," it said.
"It is difficult to think back to a time when an Australian backline has bristled with more individual threats than at present.
"Yet, for all of that, there is virtually no game management, no understanding that the same pattern of attack, however brilliant, becomes containable, even brittle, if it is not spiced with some variety."
"This Wallabies side seems so totally unprepared for things to go wrong."
Australia have beaten South Africa in Cape Town and Durban in the modern era but have not managed a win there at altitude since a 1963 victory in Johannesburg.
AFP
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