British and Irish Lions: The Wallabies' Quest for the Missing Link in 2013 and Beyond

Posted by Xchange Tickets on December 4th, 2023

In the harsh winter of 2013, following a bitterly disappointing yet closely contested series loss to the British and Irish Lions, the Wallabies found themselves at a crossroads in terms of coaching. With the incumbent coach dismissed, the pivotal question arose: who would step into this crucial role? Much like the present, the selection of a head coach was not a one-size-fits-all decision.

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It underscored the importance of aligning the unique strengths of a coach with the specific needs. And qualities of the team, aiming to avoid a scenario reminiscent of an Eddie Jones-style dilemma. The historical adage I am attempting to recall emphasizes the wisdom of this approach. In the aftermath of the 2013 British and Irish Lions Tour, a period demanding a thorough rebuilding effort.

The imperative was to instill discipline, restore order from the ground up, and prioritize the mastery of fundamental skills. Jake White, renowned not only as a South African phenomenon but also for his commendable stint with the ACT Brumbies, emerged as a viable candidate. His ability to orchestrate a successful rebuild and instigate a focus on fundamental proficiency.

Transcended geographical boundaries, making him a noteworthy contender for steering the Wallabies towards resurgence. In the aftermath of the 2007 British and Irish Lions Tour, Jake White found himself navigating the remnants of the tumultuous legacy left by Rudolf Straeuli. Straeuli, whose distinctive ears had become somewhat legendary, proved to be tone-deaf in his role as the national coach.

British and Irish Lions: Straeuli's attempt at resurrecting the team

While he may have left an indelible mark with his peculiar methods, such as the infamous Kamp Staaldraad, it was evident that his coaching prowess did not match his playing pedigree. Straeuli's attempt at resurrecting the team involved unconventional practices. Like players being coerced into singing the national anthem while naked in foxholes and enduring freezing water showers.

The sentiment of nostalgia for the bygone era of Straeuli was, however, met with skepticism, as the qualities that made him a fine player did not necessarily translate into effective coaching. Amidst the need for a fresh approach to coaching, especially considering the apparent dysfunction within the team, Ewen McKenzie, affectionately known as 'Link,' emerged as a compelling choice.

Not only did McKenzie boast a formidable legacy as one of Australia's greatest tight head props, but he also demonstrated a successful transition from player to coach. His coaching tenure with teams like the New South Wales Waratahs and Stade de France showcased an ability to elevate fundamentally sound sides.

In contrast to the more unorthodox methods employed by Straeuli, McKenzie's approach involved fine-tuning and rebuilding relationships between players and the coach. His track record with the Queensland Reds, where he secured their first title since 1995, underscored his capability to transform promising teams.

Into formidable contenders, making him a strategic choice for revitalizing Australian rugby. In the realm of coaching success, Michael Cheika had previously achieved notable accomplishments in Ireland with Leinster, clinching a trophy in his inaugural season. His 2013 performance with the Waratahs hinted at a trajectory that surpassed mere door-breaking at Bruce Stadium.

Cheika leaned more toward being a long-term coach

Despite observations from seasoned New Zealand rugby reporter Wynn Gray that Cheika leaned more towards being a change agent than a long-term coach, his ability to establish a robust rapport with the Waratahs players was undeniable. Characterized by a touch of unpredictability, a dose of grit, and a compelling motivational approach.

Cheika emerged as a fitting choice for those seeking a transformative figure in Australian rugby during this period. In 2013, as the Wallabies grappled with their coaching decision, the team held a global ranking between 2nd and 4th. Having reached the quarterfinals in the 2007 Rugby World Cup and the semifinals in 2011.

The Wallabies showcased a trajectory of improvement, even though they hadn't broken New Zealand's grip on the Bledisloe Cup. The Super Rugby landscape revealed the ACT Brumbies under Jake White making strides after lean years, and Queensland, under Ewen McKenzie, had secured the Super Rugby title in 2011. Phil Vickery and Gavin Henson in Legal Fight for Rugby Brain Injury.

However, lingering fitness and conditioning issues, particularly against New Zealand and increasingly fit northern hemisphere teams, remained a concern. These challenges, along with a roster of talented but flawed players, posed critical considerations. For the national coach in 2013, echoing aspects that still resonate in the contemporary rugby landscape.

Connected to the aforementioned issues was what the author terms a 'mentality' problem, evident in the Wallabies' propensity to concede a continuous stream of penalties. Their apparent inability or unwillingness to adapt to and interpret the referee's decisions during matches is an issue that resonates with contemporary rugby scenarios.

British and Irish Lions 2025: Strategic Shortcomings: Kicking and Decision Dilemmas

Additionally, the tendency to leak points shortly after scoring in closely contested games was identified as a recurring challenge, reminiscent of a modern epidemic. The haunting pattern of conceding points during the critical moments of each half against New Zealand, as witnessed in the 2013 British and Irish Lions Tour.

Continued to plague the team, echoing the sentiments of former coach Rudolf Straeuli from his metaphorical foxhole. Another notable concern was the scrum's perceptual shortcomings with referees and its surprising naivety in countering standard scrummaging tactics. The scrum struggled against techniques such as rolling the shoulder on contact.

Using the outside bind to pull down, and boring in, as seen in the decisive Lions' Test of 2013. While the scrum has evolved to display greater consistency, it still exhibits occasional lapses, as illustrated when James Slipper. Playing as a makeshift tight head prop, left the field during a crucial moment in the 2023 Rugby World Cup against Wales.

The assessment extends beyond the scrum to encompass shortcomings in strategic kicking, and decision-making. And execution, with a recurring theme of kicks lacking effective chases and being routinely sent down the middle of the pitch. Raising questions about Australia's adherence to best practices in these fundamental aspects of the game.

In 2013, despite the Wallabies maintaining a winning record, a critical assessment led the author to conclude that a comprehensive rebuild was necessary. The identified weaknesses were not surface-level issues but fundamental challenges that struck at the core principles of winning rugby.

British and Irish Lions Tour: History Rhyming: Seeking Patterns in Coaching Choices

Despite possessing a world-class lineout and generally dominant ruck presence, the team featured world-class players with unexpected frailties. The analysis dismissed the notion that the team merely required tactical adjustments or minor adjustments to restore harmony. The optimism surrounding the belief that the fundamentals were sound, given the team's overall success.

And strengths in certain aspects of the game proved to be overly hopeful in the long run. With the perspective that the team needed more than a mere tune-up in 2013, the author emphasizes a rigorous evaluation of coaching candidates today. The focus lies on identifying individuals with a proven track record of rebuilding teams, and adeptness in working with and developing younger players.

A commitment to mastering the basics, and effective communication skills to articulate and implement a clear plan for progress. While acknowledging the availability of good coaches, the author expresses concern about the apparent absence of candidates possessing the requisite combination of skills.

Although Darren Coleman at the Waratahs is considered a close fit, doubts linger about his experience and track record. Leaving a void that prompts a recollection of the historical adage, it doesn't repeat, but sometimes it rhymes.

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