What you thought vs Scotland - Part 2

There was praise for Scotland's defence amongst the barbs aimed at the Men of Gold.

We start Part 2 of the Men of Gold Mailbox after Scotland with a bit of Scottish humour – this from Tony in Vientiane, Lao P.D.R:

“I suggest you fill your team with Scots. We had some Australians playing for us last Saturday, and we reckon that's why we're a bit lacking in cutting edge.

Hope this helps, Tony.”

Thanks Tony. And don’t worry – as tough as the results may be – we still haven’t lost our sense of humour.

Another Scot, Bill Richardson from Banchory, also wrote in (graciously) to say how proud he was of his team: “I am a Scotland fan and a long suffering one at that! I am not writing in to gloat at tonight’s performance as I thought that the Australian performance was one of sheer dominance - it seemed like the entire game was played in Scotland’s 22. I have been watching Scotland for 20 years and I can honestly say I have never seen a better defensive performance from any Scotland squad. It really was a historic occasion and one I hope will turn the tide.”

Some tough words there Dragan.

Gavin Parkinson, sent just five words – “change Giteau to the centres”; while Stuart Vause was one in the anti-Robbie brigade: “After this defeat, I don't think Robbie Deans is the right man for the Wallabies' coach;  I also don't think that the ARU board are going to tolerate 7 losses and one draw with the Welsh game yet to be played.  Good luck against the Welsh.”

Trent Cadman agreed: “Hate to say it but I think its time we lose "super coach" Deans.  Nothing specifically wrong with him, or his technique but with a talent pool like the Wallabies have they should be winning far more often.  It happens in many other professional sports, some coaches just don’t work with some teams, and I think this is evidenced here with Deans ruling the Super 14 for some time but unable to inspire and drive the Wallabies into winning.   If the players aren't responding you need to look at the coaching staff.

Oh and one more thing, stop kicking the dam ball mid field and giving possession away.  Run with it.”

Nick Vann from Harkaway in Victoria disagreed: “It’s no good blaming Robbie Deans for this result. The mistakes were made on the field not off it. Handling errors as usual and poor kicking again. The backs lined up too flat and were often standing still when receiving the ball. They need to run from depth ie think attack not just defence. Wycliff Palu and Adam Ashley Cooper took the opposition on and showed the way to do this. Will Genia has been good but we need the ball to be delivered faster outside. Move Quade Cooper to fly half and Giteau to centre - that should do it.”

Dirk Jacobz thinks it’s all in the head:

“What a sad display.

I think an attitude coach or a sports psychologist needs to be brought in to work on the player’s attitude. We all know that that they have the capabilities to be a good team, as they beat the Springboks once this season. They need to learn the art of professionalism. When you stand up to take a kick you have to be present to what you are doing, you have to concentrate and focus and then kick it over. Especially, when it should be an easy kick.

How sad I am for the Wallabies, many times I have felt that they were hard done by, by certain ref’s. But this game against Scotland was terrible.

I will be sending my Wallabies top back to ARU HQ. Maybe someone else can find a use for it. As a long time one eyed Wallabies supporter, I for one will not be watching the Wallabies anymore. It is not worth the late nights when they just don’t front up to play. These guys are like spoiled rock stars.

Time to find another code to watch.”

Hold on that jersey Dirk – after the boys spirited effort against Cardiff there is life in the Men of Gold yet.

The Ross Family lamented the lack of Rugby on Free-to-Air, although of course the Test (like Sunday morning’s against Scotland) was live across Australia on Channel 10.

Ken Williams makes a very valid point that there is a very fine margin between success and failure – Matt Giteau’s conversion goes over and the Wallabies are still gunning for an undefeated tour:

“If only one of the 3 possible tries was successfull you would have won, but if all had been scored would people still be whinging? I doubt it. Everyone one would be saying it was a dominant effort against a gutsy opposition.”

Good point Ken.

Alex Hickton from Rozelle thinks “Matt Giteau needs to slide back permanently to 12, play Quade Cooper at 10 if Berrick Barnes isn’t available” while Cameron McDonald (good Scottish name that!) is a little harsher: “I think Matt Giteau should be dropped, Drew Mitchell should never be in the side.”

As to Wales this weekend Sharyn Emery thinks it’s better if we “Don't turn up boys, better to concede than be belted beyond mere humiliation. Poor Robbie Deans....poor boys...poor Australia. A devastated fan.”

Dennis Kumar believes “an old boy network commission – OBNC (Former players & coaches) be setup to aid the current team. Am not sure if one is already in place but my belief is that the OBNC would bring in much needed EXPERIENCE which is just priceless in gold.

I have but one lamp that guides my path and it is called EXPERIENCE. I know no better way of judging the future but by the past.”

Mike Beattie is of the opinion: “we need a team that has pride and passion in the jersey like NZ and SA and perform consistently each week. We should pick players that are experts in their position not utility players. We need to develop and implement creative game plans as a team in a consistent and professional manner. And we should always pick our best players wether they are playing in Australia or overseas.”

Regular contributor Dennis Reidlinger was saved the pain: “I can't comment because of BS media rights.  The game wasn't shown over in the US.  Absolute crap.”

Maybe a blessing in disguise Dennis.

Jane Leggate can’t understand why “We fight so hard for possession and then we kick it away, we seem always to be on the back foot – sure the defence from the Scots was fantastic but where are the back line moves.”

Alan Drinkwater was abrupt: “Easy!!! Get rid of Deans” while Bill says “this has to be the most frustrating Wallabies side I've watched. I believe they are  as talented, if not more talented, than the best sides we've turned out but they aren't even close to being consistent.  Very frustrating to see such great potential being wasted.  I think Robbie has hit it on the head when he said he doesn't think they hurt enough after a loss Stirling, Smith, Giteau and even Rocky seem pretty relaxed about a loss in post game interviews.  Compare that to Richie McCaw and John Smit where the hurt is clearly present after a loss. Very, very frustrating.”

Tighthead Tezza thinks: “It’s all about execution. What we saw this morning was a lack of composure, resulting in an inability to finish. Three bombed tries and a string of missed penalties and a field goal placed too much pressure of Gits to pull off the sneaky win after the bell.”

Greg Longhurst is giving up hope … but: “Despite the loss, I agree with Tim Horan in that we have the makings of a Rugby World Cup winning team. BUT, and it is a big BUT, we want the trophies to start coming back now.

I'm am fed up with Robbie Deans making excuses for a young side. Yes Robbie, they are a young side and it is clear by the high level of aimless kicking which you didn't stop at half time that the team is just not experienced enough to compete at this level on a consistent basis.”

Dave Baddeley was to the point: “Run the (expletive) ball instead of kicking for goal all the time. Back yourselves boys!! Composure composure composure.”

John Burgess believes: “we are not playing rugby the Aussie way. What has happened to the once admired attacking flair of the Wallabies. Now we are little more than pathetic copies of the South Africans but they do it much better. When will Robbie Deans finally release these guys & tell them to go out there, throw the ball around, attack at every opportunity & HAVE SOME FUN, so the sad followers of the Wallabies can have some fun too & if we get beaten then at least it will be because we actually played Rugby, not soccer!”

To be concluded in Part 3 …