And the winner is Dave Rennie after the RWC.

There is no secret in rugby. You have to show that secret on the field. Coaches have no secrets, they have only rugby ideology they learnt somewhere and their whims and fancies on how the the game should be played.

What is wrong with Australian rugby is out in the public domain. All that is needed to be given full attention is to have someone with a pedigree in rugby like Steve Hansen to say it out loud in the open.

What matters is whether Eddie Jones and his coaching think this is a test that the outcome should matter.
. What you and I think about the intent of this game before the REAL game comes along ( ie REC) does not count one bit or even considered in the Wallabies’s coaches’ decision-making agenda and calculus.

As a pre-RWC game, it is advisable to look at the forest than to worry about the few problem trees.
This is not a Test game where outcome is the objective.
This game for the Wallabies is all about Eddie Jones and his coaching team taking a road-test drive a car to see which parts pf the engine needs fine-tuning or to be replaced. Eddie has two weeks to put his team on the competition track.
It is more helpful to belabour on where and what weaknesses should and can be corrected in the coming two weeks and where the team strengths can be entrench.
Worrying about the absence of Quade or Foley is like complaining after the train had left the station. It is counter-productive and does not move the conversation forward in a positive and substantive way. Or whining by comparing Rennie’s close losing margins with the task of preparing a team on the eve of RWC. That conversation can take place at a later date when the RWC is well and over when we do the post-mortem of the Wallabies’s RWC performance.

What lessons Eddie needs to address in next 2 weeks:
1. Wallabies defence: Weak…. when faced with the high energy and quick tempo onslaught. That was how Springbok took down the AllBlacks. France used the same attacking style in the 2nd half.
3. Wallabies were TOO SLOW fall back to regroup and to reconfigure their defence setup when France went on the rapid counter attack. Poor Kellaway had to bear the brunt of it all covering the width of the field.
4. KICKING for cheap 2-3 pointers. I have said Wallabies will lose the game even it played reasonably well for failing to get cheap points from penalties. There is no way Carter Gordon can turn his kicking around in 2 weeks. He doesn’t have as yet a consistent and proper pre kicking routine to go between the posts.
5. Eddie Jones MUST bring back PETE SAMU into #8 and put Valetini in 6 or 7 . Pete Samu is more dangerous at number 8 when Wallabies put mounting pressure on the opposition touch line than Valetini is.
6. INDISCIPLINE… in this game, Wallabies willingness to give cheap penalties is short of being criminal. Eddie must find answers to this… a perennial problem for the Wallabies in last 5 years…Wallabies play rugby as though the rules are only meant to be followed by the opposition temez.
7. Jordan Petaia decision-making is still suspect with the ball. In a high tempo game dictated by France, Petaia should go looking for the ball and not the other way round waiting for the ball, especially given France strategy was so obvious aimed at shutting down Wallabies’s middle backline.He should be doing what Vunivalu and Mark Nawaqanitawase are doing.
8. Wallabies backline in attack stood too close and cramped up to each other allowing the French to crush down Wallabies’ short-passes attack and forced Wallabies errors. The French backline was well spread allowing them to play options of kicking, chipping or run with the ball.

From this game, I still think Eddie Jones is on the right track. This game is a trial run, like after fine-tuning the engine of a car, you put it out on a road test. This game is what it is all about. Eddie Jones has 2 weeks for the FINAL touches after having done seversl engine over hauling.
As I said in another post:
The scoreboard ONLY matters when the RWC begins.

You can see France and Eddie Jones taking different attitudes towards this game.

1. France is trying out its overall game plan for RWC … we see two different strategies played out in the first half. But it would appear France’s intended strategy was in a high tempo game in the last 20 minutes of the 2nd half.. the same strategy France used to win the 6-Nations. This is the most likely strategy it will employ against the Springboks. That is, for France, this game against Australia was all about a test of Game Strategies eg taking 3 points whenever offered. It worked for France, they got the outcome they wanted on the scoreboard.

2. Whereas for the Wallabies it was all about testing Tactical Play, about seeking weaknesses and strengths in specific plays eg in line-outs, kicking etc… What was fascinating wad to see Eddie testing whether Wallabies was able to mount and sustain pressure inside France’s 10 meter line and put points on the board. And unfortunately that was at the expense of Wallabies defence, where huge gaps opened which France exploited fully in the second half in counter attacks.

Eddie’s intention on what he wanted to see in this game against France ( not for points on the scoreboard) was clearly spelt out when
– Wallabies refused to take cheap 3 points and chose the line out inside the 5-10 m line
AND
– to test Carter Gordon’s kicking skills from a longer distance. There is much needed work in both in next 2 weeks.
Eddie Jones is trying to cross all the Ts with his new team for the RWC.
Yes there were issues in the Wallabies game, in particular, indiscipline. But these are workable issues. Yes, Carter Gorden is a work in progress.
Only worry and uncertainty is whether the players are quick learners from their mistakes and be 100% for the World Cup.Keep your fingers crossed.

Wallabies’s performance against Francis is impressive and Eddie is on the right track.
The loss is not the outcome but an indicator or barometer of where the Wallabies are on the eve of the World Cup.
What better time to put a team in a meat grinder than to learn your strengths and weaknesses against the top contender for the RWC.
I take comfort in the fact that we learn best from failure, not so much in some one-off success.
Wallabies had 5 consecutive failures but I do notice of improvements, not on the score board but in how the weaknesses are addressed by Eddie Jones. The scoreboard ONLY matters when the RWC begins.
You can see France and Eddie Jones taking different attitudes towards this game.
1. France is trying out its overall game plan for RWC … we see two different strategies played out in the first half. But it would appear France’s intended strategy was in a high tempo game in the last 20 minutes of the 2nd half.. the same strategy Feance used to win the 6-Nations. This is the most likely strategy it will employ against Springboks. That is, for France, this game against Australia was all about a test of Game Strategies eg taking 3 points whenever offered. It worked for France, they got the outcome they wanted on the scoreboard.
2. Whereas for the Wallabies it was all about testing Tactical Play, about seeking weaknesses and strengths in specific plays eg in line-outs, kicking etc… What was fascinating wad to see Eddie testing whether Wallabies was able to mount and sustain pressure inside France’s 10 meter line and put points on the board. And unfortunately that was at the expense of Wallabies defence, where huge gaps opened which France exploited fully in the second half in counter attacks.
Eddie’s intention on what he wanted to see in this game against France ( not for points on the scoreboard) was clearly spelt out when
– Wallabies refused to take cheap 3 points and chose the line out inside the 5-10 m line
AND
– to test Carter Gordon’s kicking skills from a longer distance. There is much needed work in both in next 2 weeks.
Got to give credit to Eddie Jones for having faith in Vunivalu. Vunivalu was let loose on the field like a mud raker. He was superb tonight at defence and attack.
Kellaway had a good game. The #15 is all his… and Wallabies cannot afford to lose him to injuries at all.
For a high energy and quick tempo rugby at the opponent’s 5-10 m line, you need someone to be a playmaker at #8. In this position, sorely missed at #8 in this game is Pete Samu. This is because Valetini is not as dangerous as Pete Samu at #8 and Pete Samu has high work rate. Valetini is good as a battering ram, but not much of a playmaker attacking the touch line..

If Nic White is on the plane to France, he will be effectively a passenger on the rugby field. He won’t be effective in the big games eg against AB, Boks, France or England. He does nothing to be a playmaker, not in the makeup of McDermott, Aaron Smith, Will Genia

What Pone Fa’amausili showed against the ABs was his powerful leg drive and acceleration with the ball. If you want a steel gate crasher, he is the one. And he has the bulk that can bulldoze a truck down the road.

He should, rather he must, be put on the plane to France.

Bring back Pete Samu into the starting 15 at #8. He is still the best #8 in the Wallabies squad. He has tremendous leg drive and acceleration in close encounters and open play. He can take on Ardie Savea any time on the field.

I agree.
Its possession and retention rugby. Kick as a very last resort.. eg kick to touch from own 5 m line. Not as a strategy not with the way we train our Wallabies on tactical play.
If Wallabies want to adopt kicking rugby, watch how France use it to beat other teams.
France’s kicking is more surgical and watch the France backs chase the high ball.

Time is sgainst Eddie Jones for any more experimenting with combinations of #9 and #10.

Eddie Jones has deep reserves of experience to make the call, and allow the combination that is “fit for purpose” as lawyers like to say, and run with it in training and into the RWC.

Experimentation should end with this match.

Now is the time Eddie Jones has to put his money where his mouth is, so to speak. Its his call, for better or worse. The rest of us are just armchair-sitting popcorn-crunching loudmouths with plenty of biased opinions to offer for free …. but with little inside knowledge.

Skelton got bulk but zero leg drive and acceleration.

Skelton will be good for sumo wrestling but not for boxing… that’s the analogy.

Skelton’s skill sets might be appropriate in the OLD game of rugby, useful to hold the scrum push with his size.

But the modern game of rugby demands a more intensive engagement of forwards in attack and defence. If you don’t have powerful leg drive and acceleration during close encounters, you can’t crash through a gang tackle or gain the necessary yardage. Just look at the ABS and Springboks forwards how they scramble and forcefully drag themselves out when bodies pile on them.

Jordan Petaia has the bad habit of chipping/dribbling the ball when he finds himself cornered. And that gives away valuable possession. He got to trust his team mates for backup.

Kenners

I agree fully.

I think Eddie Jones more or less got the team he wanted for the RWC.

But to play this high energy and quick tempo rugby by the Wallabies, one person who is sorely missed is Pete Samu.

Pete Samu has not only bull but leg drive and acceleration. His breakout run from the base of the scrum has always be threatening and dangerous, including open play.

Pete Samu is a match for Ardie Savea. His exclusion by Eddie Jones against the 2 matches against ALLBLACKS wad a big mistake.

Pete is still the Wallabies best #8, not Valetini, Valetini is best used at #6.

Not using Pete Samu in France will be a dumb decison

Aaron Smith v Nic White in the 2nd half.
… it was no match.

I watched Ricky Ponting in the commentary box.

He is good. Sharp and showed insightful analysis of the strength and weaknesses of both teams batting and fielding.

As a former captain, he certainly carries a valid credentials.

At the very least, Ponting should be part of the coaching team to provide input as a Game Strategist.

FACT: England’s win in the 5th Test TAINTED by the UMPIRES over the change of the ball for the 5th day.

DISGRACEFUL,,,Yhe international cricket board MUST investigate this imcident.

Of course, the shockjocks in the UK media would not talk about it.

Umpires had fish and chips for dinner the night before

If Steve Smith is out for less than 80, its game over for Australia and others don’t fall like flies.

If Pat Cummins pulls this through, this cricket team will be regarded as the best cricket team since Don Bradman’s team back in early 20th century for an almost impossible run chase in modern cricket history

The way the Aussies play in the 5th Test, they might as well bowl with a tennis ball , and bat with a baseball bat.

A “punch drunk” would punch others in the face, which might be a good thing when you are on the losing end.

But here, the Aussies are getting punch in their faces every minute by the raging hordes of English drunks with the ball and the bat,

Australian sportsmen have lived out their reputation in top level competition: They have no physical or mental stamina to close out the game. They fizzle out in the dying minutes or days.

Classic examples: Wallabies in Rugby… only good up to the 30th minute of the 2nd half. The last 10 minutes they get overwhelmed by the opposition from all over the field.

The Ashes… A 5 day Test and 4 days of play. Did well in first 2 Tests… then fizzles off in next 3 Tests. OR; Played well in first innings then struggled or lost the plot in the 2nd innings.

Why is that? Too much beer?

Eddie Jones’ obsession with kicking rugby is a disaster for the Wallabies. Three losses had proven the point. It might work for other teams which had complementary skills and game plan to adopt kicking rugby. But it is not working for the Wallabies.

Stubbornness to accept that fact is another word for “being clever-by-half.”

Eddie Jone’s is not looking at rugby three-dimensionally.

AB’s Foster’s plays chess while Eddie Jones playing snake and ladders.

1, What were the reasons for marginalising Pete Samu?

2. Why Lonergan not allowed to have a go at #9 instead of Nic White.

STRATEGIC OPTIONS TOWARDS RWC

3 Quade to start with McDermott

4. Carter Gordon should continue to play at Test level to build experience and skills on field. But Carter Gordon comes off the Bench rather as in a starting line until such time.

It is obvious CG was straitjacketed by Eddie Jones’ kicking game, and he could not play his style of rugby to dictate the game.

5. Lonergan to be used in RWC instead of Nic White.

6. Lolesio should be brought into squad as backup #10. Because both QC and CG are injury prone because of their style of play.

7. Taniela Topou might have reached past his prime time.

8. Call back Reece Hodge, he has acceleration as long as he is told to kick much LESS , or none at all. Just run with the ball.

9. Valetini has great leg drive and acceleration but the Walllabies game plan did not give him enough open space to use his skill sets.

The 3rd Umpire ruled Smith NOT OUT on one fact: Bairstow’s hand stayed and knocked the stumps and rattled one of the bails BEFORE the ball reached his HAND and even before Steve Smith’s bat reached the line. You are not allowed to do that.

That is why even Stuart Broad said there is a benefit of the doubt to declare it as an OUT.

The 3rd umpire was correct because that was what the slow-motion video showed.

The Poms love to play the victim when the rules went against them, just like the LEGAL stumping of Bairstow by Carey, which will go down in cricket folklore in years to come and how England went into national mourning including in 10 Downing St.