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Fox Sports commentator Greg Clark previews Scotland v Australia
By Greg Clark
[/i]November 18, 2009 The Grand Slam dream might be over but all is not lost for Robbie Deans and his Wallabies on their northern tour but their aim now must be to go through undefeated after their 20-all draw with Ireland.
The players are still hurting after allowing Ireland to snatch a draw in the dying minutes in Dublin and until they rediscover how to close out a game there will be more frustration.
They've been in front of the All Blacks at half time in five of their last six Tests and haven’t gone on to win.
Last week they were ahead at the break but couldn't go on with the job.
But at least the positives outweighed the negatives again. The scrum was very good and critics in the northern hemisphere are amazed that the Wallabies have been able to turn things around so quickly when it comes to scrummaging.
The back row of Elsom, Pocock and Palu turned in their best performance for some time.
While coach Deans says George Smith is still a big part of his ongoing plans, the decision to elevate David Pocock to the starting side last week paid dividends.
He thoroughly deserved his man of the match award but Rocky Elsom must have come close. It was great to see him leading by example and it doesn’t appear that the added responsibility of the captaincy is stifling his performance.
Will Genia had another solid game at scrumhalf and has clearly overtaken Luke Burgess as the preferred No.9. His combination with Matt Giteau will only get better, but the midfield is still a concern to me.
With Berrick Barnes on the injured list I believe Deans has to stick with the Quade Cooper-Digby Ioane combo but I’d like to see them attack more often.
Last week there was a chance to have a crack out wide but the first instinct from Giteau and Cooper was to kick.
Fox Sports expert Rod Kafer was throwing his hands in the air during the commentary as opportunities to attack weren't executed.
Then there was the defensive mix up at the end that allowed Brian O'Driscoll to waltz through untouched and the conversion clinched the draw.
The lineout remains the biggest problem though and let's just hope that there is an improvement against Scotland this week. Like the Irish, the Scots won’t be overawed and they’ll be keen to attack our throws.
I wasn't impressed with Scotland's win over Fiji last week and the Wallabies have a golden opportunity to remain unbeaten on tour. Australia hasn’t lost to Scotland since 1982, winning 16 Tests on the trot.
While this Wallabies can't afford to be complacent, I expect them to win comfortably.
The best way to relieve the frustration of last week’s missed opportunity is to take it out on your next opponent.
http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,2...5016959,00.html
By Greg Clark
[/i]November 18, 2009 The Grand Slam dream might be over but all is not lost for Robbie Deans and his Wallabies on their northern tour but their aim now must be to go through undefeated after their 20-all draw with Ireland.
The players are still hurting after allowing Ireland to snatch a draw in the dying minutes in Dublin and until they rediscover how to close out a game there will be more frustration.
They've been in front of the All Blacks at half time in five of their last six Tests and haven’t gone on to win.
Last week they were ahead at the break but couldn't go on with the job.
But at least the positives outweighed the negatives again. The scrum was very good and critics in the northern hemisphere are amazed that the Wallabies have been able to turn things around so quickly when it comes to scrummaging.
The back row of Elsom, Pocock and Palu turned in their best performance for some time.
While coach Deans says George Smith is still a big part of his ongoing plans, the decision to elevate David Pocock to the starting side last week paid dividends.
He thoroughly deserved his man of the match award but Rocky Elsom must have come close. It was great to see him leading by example and it doesn’t appear that the added responsibility of the captaincy is stifling his performance.
Will Genia had another solid game at scrumhalf and has clearly overtaken Luke Burgess as the preferred No.9. His combination with Matt Giteau will only get better, but the midfield is still a concern to me.
With Berrick Barnes on the injured list I believe Deans has to stick with the Quade Cooper-Digby Ioane combo but I’d like to see them attack more often.
Last week there was a chance to have a crack out wide but the first instinct from Giteau and Cooper was to kick.
Fox Sports expert Rod Kafer was throwing his hands in the air during the commentary as opportunities to attack weren't executed.
Then there was the defensive mix up at the end that allowed Brian O'Driscoll to waltz through untouched and the conversion clinched the draw.
The lineout remains the biggest problem though and let's just hope that there is an improvement against Scotland this week. Like the Irish, the Scots won’t be overawed and they’ll be keen to attack our throws.
I wasn't impressed with Scotland's win over Fiji last week and the Wallabies have a golden opportunity to remain unbeaten on tour. Australia hasn’t lost to Scotland since 1982, winning 16 Tests on the trot.
While this Wallabies can't afford to be complacent, I expect them to win comfortably.
The best way to relieve the frustration of last week’s missed opportunity is to take it out on your next opponent.
http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,2...5016959,00.html