Too right.
Kiwis always choke in the World Cup...
:lol: ... you know we've never lost an RWC final on Eden Park ... but, on the other hand, I am feeling a little constricted in the throat area
I see the fallout has started to happen in the Wallaby camp, with Robbie telling Quade to ""Get defensive" ... or else
http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-union/union-news/get-defensive-deans-warns-cooper-20101116-17vxe.html
It is not a case of Cooper running out of the way, he always attempts to stop the ball carrier, but his technique is flawed - by regularly going too high he is often brushed off.
This is a quandary, as while Deans is aware that Cooper's attacking ingenuity makes him a crucial factor in the Wallabies being tagged the ''Wizards of Oz'', a glaring hole in midfield increases the workload of his teammates and can lead to problems in other areas of the defensive line.
A downcast Deans said he had discussed the situation with Cooper, but in the end it all revolved around the player having the will to improve as a defender.
''We can't continue on with the sort of [defensive] numbers that we got out of the weekend. The best response would be for Quade to master it himself,'' Deans said.
Asked how quickly someone can ''master it'', Deans replied: ''You might get an insight this week, hopefully. We're working there constantly, but the game is different. We do as much as we can at training, but the reality is it's not until the rubber hits the road that you really find out.''
In reply to queries over whether Cooper suffered from problems with his technique or a lack of concentration, Deans said: ''Having the will is a big part of it. You've got to want to do it. It doesn't matter what preparation you do - if there's no will, it just doesn't happen.''
Deans hoped it did not come down to having to demote Cooper. ''He does offer us a lot,'' he said. ''He's been a big point of difference for us, but you've got to look at the game in its totality. Also Quade wasn't the only one, to be honest. Our team defence was inadequate.''
Wallabies midfielder Berrick Barnes, who is in line for a starting recall against Italy in Florence on Saturday (1am Sunday morning, Sydney time), reinforced the view that the key to being a good defender was having the motivation.
''Defence revolves around attitude, both individually and as a team,'' Barnes said. ''Individually it involves making your one-on-one tackles, but also turning up for your mate on the inside as well. That's a mentality you've got to have as a team, and we'll definitely be ramming that home to the boys this week.''
Watching a video of Australia's flat effort against England had clearly made Deans even more despondent. Gone was his sunny disposition in Hong Kong after at last overcoming the All Blacks.
''It was an average performance,'' Deans said. ''We were off the pace in terms of our intensity. You gave them a bit of ground and then the whole contest changed.
''England did play well, but we also contributed to it by not scoring points when they were there.
''England played similarly to the way the All Blacks played. From talking to them after the Test, England essentially observed that [Wallabies-All Blacks] Hong Kong Test, and went through a philosophical shift. It was clearly a conscious decision to adjust the way they play.''
While Will Genia, suffering bruised ribs, says he will be available for the Italy Test, Deans will not decide on a kicker to replace James O'Connor, who has returned home for a friend's funeral, until late in the week.
