Australia's big weakness?

[BoksburgBokke]

After watching the Australia vs Ireland game i noticed that Australia's biggest advantage had become their biggest disadvantage. Cooper and Genia combo seemed to be electric during the S15 and tri-nations having quick ball and using coopers magical rugby skills to create opportunities. But Ireland displayed some clever rugby, by slowing down the ball in the breakdowns the Australians could not do much on the field from an attacking game play (Although i did not agree with the Irish players for illegally slowing the breakdowns from the supporting defenders and the ref was inconsistent at the breakdowns not blowing the illegal play but that is another story), Cooper did not even exist on the field and the Irish did not give Genia/Cooper space to play with. I feel those two are very good playing together but they should of played a different tactic towards the Irish once their game declined every minute during the game (This is where experienced players come very handy at a world cup level). Any Opinions about this issue and if there are any remedies to help fix this problem?

Dont get me wrong i still believe Australia can win this world cup, they have the players to do so and maybe the Irish game was a wake up call. Well done to the Irish for the smart game play and passion for the game on that particular day.

 

[Ostrayian]

NZ did it better in Auckland this year and scored tries!

 

[Wally]

They executed the perfect game plan against us, of that there is no doubt, and the conditions on the day favoured this (ie ruling out of Pocock and Moore before the match, wet weather, Wallabies inability to adjust).

 

[Saintjay]

I think your tight five had a real battle and I would be keen to see how they match up with the Boks pack or England. Stuff it up your jumper rugby. If you don't have the ball you can't play. That is what the Irish did well, or they slowed it right down. I think it will be the training video for evey team who plays Australia from now on.

I think Cooper had a shocker to be honest, two simple passes and I think Aus would have scored on both moves. Cooper did a look away pass for one, and behind the back for the other. Yes the guy has skills but he needs to know when to use them. School boy stuff ie, look where your passing and keep it simple.

As for the weather, it made things tough for both teams. If you can't play in the rain you ain't going to win a world cup.

 

[UilamOsa]

No Giteau.
Shabby Scrum - irrespective of who they have there.
Forward Pack not able to play any type of conditions.
Backline not able to operate either in parity or going backwards.
Forwards too reliant on Pocock & Moore.
Backline too reliant on Cooper.
Cooper too reliant on Ioane.
Australia too reliant on Genia for anything.

More than the above - No winning edge. No heart. That point in a game when everything's not going your way and then you stop and look at team mates and then yourself and then just keep pushing yourself knowing that unless a piece of sheer brilliance were to happen you are NOT going to lose the game.

This was the AB's in Brisbane.

Until the Sheer brilliance of Will Genia.

 

[erwanseb]

As their mother language is Australian rather than english, they have problems understanding referees calls at the scrum.