The Wrap: Schmidt and Razer rule out ‘phase two’ — but what happens next really matters

No one can accuse the All Blacks and Wallabies of springing any surprises in Wellington on Saturday night. As it happens, the 33–13 result was roughly within the margin of error for the average scoreline since the All Blacks began their surprise Bledisloe Cup-winning campaign in 2003.

This helps put the Wallabies’ performance into context: this side under Joe Schmidt is no worse than the Wallabies teams that have preceded it in the 22 years since. In fact, it is already clearly better than the team taken by Eddie Jones to last year’s World Cup.

The trouble is that it’s not really relevant whether this Wallabies side is better than last year’s side or any side from that period. To win the Bledisloe Cup they will have to be better than the All Blacks. And to win Test matches, they will have to be better than the teams they face in a few weeks in the North.

Furthermore, fans do not need to be reminded of the context, or constantly asked to be patient. Or be forced to rank the losses in order from ominous to almost pleasant to downright embarrassing. They just want to see some more wins.

There are no easy games ahead for the Wallabies. This is as it should be for a rugby nation that, despite barely surviving, believes it still belongs in the top table.

Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt (Photo by Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images)

This loss marked the end of ‘phase two’ of the Schmidt era. After three wins against more moderate opposition in ‘phase one’, one win and five defeats in a tough Rugby Championship it looks to be in line with most expectations.

Schmidt spoke after the match about assessing his side on performances rather than pure results. I think this means that as the introduction continues to develop, as long as the players continue to work hard and build on the positive elements shown over the last fortnight, there are legitimate reasons for fans to be cautiously optimistic.

It’s not the same thing as betting on the Wallabies to beat England and Ireland in November, more a recognition that this side continues to play better rugby over a longer period of time. Thus, entering the ‘third phase’, it is time to rekindle expectations.

Unlike the previous week, the Wallabies won the opening round decisively in Wellington. Taniela Tupou’s brilliant try in the first scrum helped free Andrew Kellaway from switch play; Everything was ruined by Jake Gordon’s smash and inability to catch properly.

But there was a lot to like about how the Wallabies maintained both their composure and intensity; The pick and go game is finally yielding results for Fraser McReight.

The Wallabies went into half-time a point ahead, which, over the course of the game, would not have been unfair. But Sevu Reece – who plays rugby on a field 90 degrees apart from everyone else – inspired others to move the ball sideways, which set things up nicely for Caleb Clarke on the cut.

Earlier, Will Jordan had also punished the Wallabies with a try on a hard, straight line. In Sydney, when he did a similar thing, Jordan was aided by a backfield cover (Nick White and Tom Wright) who was very slow to react.

This time, there was no barrier to bother him. To some extent, this is probably a reflection of the greater focus on strengthening the connections in the front row, but it is also a sign that the narrow side players are not working hard enough to get around when the situation demands. Can turn and fill the space.

The Wallabies’ spirits didn’t diminish after the break, but possession and territory evening out – as it inevitably does – and the All Blacks were asking serious questions about the Wallabies’ defence.

For the most part the defense was solid, right up until it wasn’t; Tamaiti Williams is unbeatable at close range.

To the Wallabies’ credit they kept coming at the All Blacks in the final quarter. They were denied, but I suspect this says more about the All Blacks side’s determination to play the match out to the end than any obvious failure on the part of the Wallabies.

After the match, there was some confusion as to when Joseph Suali thought he would be available for the Wallabies and when Joe Schmidt considered him available. Perhaps not the best way everyone hopes for a deep, meaningful and long relationship, but the good news is that whenever it all happens, the Wallabies know they are getting a quality player.

Suali once again showed in Friday night’s defeat to the Sydney Roosters that he has the football smarts, hands, size and athletic ability to perform at an elite level for the Wallabies; Especially in the centre.

Joseph Suali has been disposed of. (Photo by Brendan Thorne/Getty Images)

Yes, it costs a lot of money; Yes, the mini code war was unnecessary and insulting, but… just get the kid there already and, if it’s not moving lane ikitau into one, find a 12 that, with Suali, potentially Will form a long-term, world-class midfield.

For their part, the All Blacks stopped Wellington’s losing streak early and even managed a rare score in the fourth quarter. It was a function of Damien McKenzie to do what bench players are supposed to do – provide encouragement – ​​although his success in that last role does nothing to resolve New Zealand’s long-term uncertainty at number 10.

Beauden Barrett is 33, and, even if Richie Mo’unga returns to the All Blacks sometime in 2025, he will be 31 by then. With Will Jordan, almost for the first time as an All Black, freed up to show what he can do at fullback and cement his position there for as long as he wants, if I could say Stephen Perfetta or Ruben Had Love been there, I would have been hammering on my Super Rugby coach’s door demanding an extension to the 10 o’clock playing time. Season.

This is not intended as a slight to Harry Plummer, who last week joined the illustrious club of capped All Blacks who have touched the ball in a Test; More simply making the observation that someone with the skills to match the top playmakers in world rugby needs to be ready to make this position his own; And so on.

Someone who has done that is Wallace City, of whom a lot has been asked in his brief All Blacks career. Primary ball carrier, main defender, go-to lineout man… all while playing out of position.

Coach Scott Robertson spoke after the match about hang-ups about traditional numbering and general expectations about loose forward play, and he was right to emphasize this and point to players being given specific team roles , regardless of their jersey number. Back.

Still, with the Sam Kane signing process, it feels like most New Zealanders would breathe easier if Robertson was given the 7 shirt, Ardi Savea was given the 8, and City was given the 8, and Ethan Blackadder, or even Samipeni Finau was to be reinstated at 6.

Kane and TJ Perenara may not have been among the All Blacks’ best players in the Rugby Championship, but the match was a fitting farewell for both; Both are great All Blacks in every sense of the word, for their performances, work ethic and generosity of spirit on and off the field.

As far as performances go, the match was won when it needed to be won – in the third quarter. And while it was the same uncleanliness and frustration that has plagued them all year, the pressure the Wallabies put on the All Blacks was real and required time and patience to overcome.

It remains to be seen whether this will be enough to complete the work in the North in November. The All Blacks will not be happy with their scrum, nor with how long it took them to adapt to the way the breakdowns were being refereed, and they will need to improve significantly in both aspects if they are to upset Ireland. Will happen.

In Nelspruit, the Springboks, not messing with mathematical permutations, won the Rugby Championship and sent the Pumas back to third in the table with a resounding 48–7 win.

Eben Etzebeth has been dealt with. (Photo by Dirk Kotz/Gallo Images/Getty Images)

Maybe that makes last week’s loss sting a little more, but every team is still in the process of figuring out who their best 20-35 ranked players are right now and, as good as the Boks are, they have that much depth. , the same applies to them also.

In that regard, it was instructive to observe coach Rassie Erasmus not throwing Manny Liebock to the wolves after last week’s penalty miss, and for Liebock to reward him with such a brilliant, inventive performance.

It’s also instructive that the AFL reportedly spent more than a Super Rugby franchise’s annual salary cap on Katy Perry waving her arms around and looking glamorous like ‘I’m glad that’s not my daughter’ before Saturday’s AFL Grand Final. Did.

I think a lot of the ‘gamble responsibly but please gamble frequently’ talk in today’s market teaches you this; The AFL is now earning an amount per year from gambling alone that exceeds Rugby Australia’s total revenue.

While Rugby Australia has made deals with various devils over the years, and obviously needs to try and make up for every dollar it has for all its faults and disappointments, at least rugby can look itself in the eye knowing this That he has never sold his soul to the gambling devil.