Among all the comments that came out of the Wallabies after the second defeat of the test in Brisbane last weekend: they lost the collisions, too many unforced errors, the lineout failed, there was an underlying main message.
Key points:
- Australia lost the second test in Brisbane due to their inability to close out the match
- Improving his discipline will be vital due to the skill of England skipper Owen Farrell in goal shooting
- The return of Queensland striker Harry Wilson should give the Wallabies an additional offensive dimension
Australia did not have enough patience to survive a cunning team from England who, through the boot of Owen Farrell, managed to stay ahead of the whole match.
As a result, although they returned to the first game of the series in Perth, they simply could not in Brisbane, all due to the unforced mistakes they made in the face of the relentless pressure of an English team desperate to break a series of four consecutive losses.
There wasn’t even a pattern. It started with a knocked down lineout with 10 minutes to play. James O’Connor was given a chance to change things around.
Jake Gordon wasn’t in a hurry to leave the field as he was substituted for Marika Koroibete after 77 minutes. Rob Valetini entered a ruck in the 80th minute more from a side fence angle than “through the door”.
When it mattered, and when they needed composure more than ever, the only thing that came to mind was mistakes.
Essentially, they ran out of time to chase England’s 25-17 lead.
And it didn’t help that the Wallabies gave England, and Farrell in particular, regular point chances.
Four penalties in the first half after Billy Vunipola’s try put England ahead 19-0 after 32 minutes, but this has been a trend in both tests so far.
Farrell has thrown nine penalties in 11 attempts in this series, with the Wallabies ’poor discipline responsible for the vast majority.
England turned the screws on Australia in the final stages of the match in Brisbane. (Images by Getty: Cameron Spencer)
By contrast, and even with the Wallabies opting to corner kick and chase rehearsals at times, Noah Lolesio has only made four penalty goal attempts for the series.
The worrying number of Wallabies injuries is also continuing to grow.
The recent 12-day extension of World Rugby concussion ruled Jordan Petaia out of the Sydney test as soon as he failed his HIA in Brisbane, while Izaia Perese (kneecap), Scott Sio (shoulder) and Cadeyrn Neville (knee ) were added to a casualty list that will make approximately one-third of the current Wallabies team unavailable for the third test.
Thus, Rennie has been forced to change at the selection table, making four changes to his starting team for the third test and another six for the bench.
On Saturday night full time, he will have used up to 32 players in all three games.
He only named 35 before the series began.
So in addition to promoting Brumbies pair James Slipper and Nick Frost from the bench last week in Brisbane, he has called up Queensland Reds tough back Harry Wilson and Melbourne Rebels fullback Reece Hodge.
Wilson, famous or perhaps infamous, stayed home during last year’s spring tour of Europe, while Rennie and the Wallabies hierarchy gave him some things to work on during the low season.
Things like speed in contact, and a bit of footwork and subtlety with the ball in hand, more than the excavator’s approach favored by past eighths and some politicians alike.
It worked: Wilson not only led Super Rugby Pacific by a good margin in 2022, but was the only striker to reach the top 10 per meter won.
So Wilson was not only prepared to put the ball under his arm more than any other player in the competition, but he was also the most effective at bringing the ball forward.
“He’s been very close to the selection for the last two weeks, and it’s great to give him his chance,” Rennie said.
“It’s been a pretty brutal series, so the injuries on both sides tell us, but Harry is fresh and ready to start and looking forward to coming in.”
And while there were some arguments, mostly parochial, for Reds fullback Jock Campbell to win a test debut, it wasn’t entirely surprising that Rennie went with 55-test Hodge to decide the series against Old Enemy.
After losing three different side options in two games, Rennie needed bail on his No. 15 jersey.
“We have a lot of confidence in Reece. He’s been Mr. Fix-It and he occupies a lot of different places,” Rennie said.
“He came in straight and got on really well. He has a great kick-off game that we think will be advantageous.
“He will also fill gaps during the game. He is a guy we know who, through injury or need, can get in somewhere even if he hasn’t trained there all week. He’ll be very clear around the roles and what to expect.”
Hodge has played across the bottom line during his Wallabies career. (AAP: Darren England)
England coach Eddie Jones has also been forced to change, with Ollie Chessum entering the second row after Maro Itoje was ruled out after leaving the second test in Brisbane early on with a concussion.
Backrower Lewis Ludlam also enters, with Sam Underhill returning to England after his last header.
Veteran scrum midfielder Danny Care is also back in the starting line-up, pushing young Jack van Poortvliet back on the bench.
Rennie said the Wallabies would take advantage of any Sydney Cricket Ground rugby history they could as they struggled to get the job done and secure the series victory in the face of a confirmed crowd that ran out.
It will be the first time the Wallabies have played in the SCG since 1986.
“And maybe the last time, too, with the opening of the new football stadium,” Rennie said.
“The Wallabies’ first test was played there against the British Isles in 1899 and now perhaps the last test against England, so it will be a fitting end for the SCG.
“A complete crowd, suitable for the occasion, one while entering into a decision.”