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The lessons the Wallabies must learn in order to beat the All Blacks in Bledisloe Cup III

Wallabies players look dejected after losing the Bledisloe Cup match between the New Zealand All Blacks and the Australian Wallabies at Eden Park on October 18, 2020 in Auckland, New Zealand. (Photo by Phil Walter/Getty Images)

Wallabies attack coach Scott Wisemantel says Australia need to bring their A-game against New Zealand on Saturday, demanding accuracy as they attempt to level the Bledisloe Cup series.

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Missed tackles and turnovers by the Wallabies were costly in the 27-7 loss in the second test in Auckland and Wisemantel wants to see better in the ANZ Stadium clash.

“We just need to be far more accurate,” Wisemantel said.

Asked for more specifics the coach replied: “Where do you want to go? Defence, attack? Our whole all-round game we’ve got to be more accurate, that’s it.

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Bledisloe III Preview | The Breakdown | Episode 40

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Bledisloe III Preview | The Breakdown | Episode 40

“We spoke about accuracy and we’ve got to get that right.”

Wisemantel helped England head coach Eddie Jones orchestrate a win over New Zealand in last year’s World Cup semi-final so knows what it takes to knock them over.

He said the Australians had the right mindset but were let down by their execution.

However, he was adamant there wasn’t a “drop-off”.

“There wasn’t a drop-off,” Wisemantel said.

“The intensity, the intent was good. You saw the intent. We went out there to score tries, we went out there to smash them.

“The problem was we didn’t control the game and were inaccurate and that’s what cost us.

“If you’re inaccurate against New Zealand, who many say are the best team in the world, then you get punished and that’s what happened.”

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The Wallabies will have a new inside centre following Matt Toomua’s groin injury but Wisemantel felt they would be well-covered in the absence of the veteran.

Brumbies back Irae Simone could get his test debut or Hunter Paisami, who shifted there in Auckland after Toomua left the field, may also wear the No.12 jersey.

“Irae deserves to be in the squad on the back of his performances with the Brumbies,” he said.

“His evolution is a slow burn … he’s changed a few things about himself and was in a great system with the Brumbies and that culmination of two things was a tipping point.”

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Among other changes with the team to be named Thursday, veteran fullback Dane Haylett-Petty and exciting outside centre Jordan Petaia could come into the starting side.

“When you look at that attacking shape we can chop and change within that and that’s the beauty of the system that we’re playing,” he said.

“Whoever jumps into that role, we expect them to do the job and do it well, with good skill.”

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fl 8 hours ago
What is the future of rugby in 2025?

Smith generally isn't well connected to his forward pods; doesn't do a great job of distributing to those around him; and has inferior positional and contestable kicking games than Ford and Fin.


When England have had success over the past few years, its been either through (i) defensive rugby backed up with smart tactical kicking or (ii) high possession attacking phase play based on quick ruck ball. George Ford was key to the implementation of (i) in the RWC, and in the 6N win over Wales, and to the implementation of (ii) in the 6N games against Ireland and France. Smith did great at (ii) when running at tired defenders at the end of the Ireland match, but has never successfully implemented that gameplan from the start of a test because he doesn't distribute or support his forwards enough to create consistent fast ball and build attacks over multiple phases. Instead, his introduction to the starting side has resulted in much more playmaking responsibilities being forced onto whoever plays 9. Alex Mitchell copes ok with that, but I think he looks better with a more involved playmaking 10 outside him, and it really isn't a gameplan that works for JVP or Spencer. As a result of that the outside backs and centres have barely touched the ball when Smith has been at 10.


This might not have been too much of a disaster, as England have seemed to be moving slightly towards the sort of attacking gameplan that France played under Labit and Quins play (I think this was especially their approach when they won the league a few years ago - but its still a part of their play now), which is based on kicking to create broken field rugby. This is (i) a sharp departure from the gameplans that have worked for England in the past few seasons; (ii) bears very little relation to the tactical approaches of the non-Quins players in the England team; and (iii) is an absolute disaster for the blitz defence, which is weak in transition. Unsurprisingly, it has coincided with a sharp decline in England's results.

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