Australia’s 9-8 loss to Scotland in Edinburgh at the weekend has been labelled the Wallabies’ worst performance in decades, with former players and media lining up to criticise the team.
“The Wallabies are not just the laughing stock of Australian sport. They are also the laughing stock of the international rugby world after suffering their worst loss in decades,” the Sydney Morning Herald wrote.
“This defeat was not as bad as being beaten by Tonga in 1973 but it’s not far off.”
The Australian newspaper wrote that the team’s poor performances were threatening the very support of the game in a country where four football codes are all fighting for fans and sponsorship.
“This Wallabies side will be the death of Australian rugby followers, if not the death of Australian rugby,” The Australian wrote.
“They are becoming the anti-All Blacks of world rugby, the Wallabies. Where the New Zealanders nearly always find a way to win, the Australians nearly always find a way to lose. Hats off to them. That’s a rare and perverse skill.”
ARU Chief Executive John O’Neill told reporters he was “devastated” by the loss to Scotland and promised a full review of the team’s performances.
O’Neill said everyone would be held accountable but coach Robbie Deans, who has managed just 14 wins from 27 tests since taking charge last season, was not at risk of losing his job.
“We have every confidence in Robbie Deans being the right coach for us,” O’Neill said.
“The results are clearly disappointing and not acceptable. We have two more games to go on the tour and rest assured we will be reviewing every aspect of this tour.”
Bob Dwyer, who coached the Australia team that won the World Cup in 1991, said the Wallabies were struggling because they did not have two world-class locks and had lost their way in attack.
“I think one of our giant problems is we don’t have a second row of top international class,” Dwyer told the Australian Associated Press.
“No team can win at the top level without good locks. If you look at the great sides, they’ve all had great locks.
“We haven’t got any and apart from that the second thing is our attack has gone to pieces, it’s poor in the extreme.”
The Sydney Morning Herald even suggested the players should be docked of their match fees if they continued losing.
“It begs the question of whether the Australian Rugby Union, which has an annual player salary bill of A$27 million ($24.7 million) is getting value for money? Hardly,” the paper wrote.
“Their skill level is uninspiring. They cannot back up. They have a losing mentality. They are lazy. And deep down they know they can get away with unacceptable performances, because player depth is so poor.”
Fark…and I thought our media is bad!
As much as I dont like the Aussies, we need a strong Aussie team. If the Aussies do well, they will attract more supporters in Aus which is good for the game.
Eish, kry maar die spelers jammer jong…..imagine om een van die ‘locks’ te wees wat so uitgehaal word……
Ag fooooitog… fokkie Ozzies!
hehehehe
Jeepers that is harsh, players dont play to loose, Scotland were just better on the day and good for them.
Aus has always been one of the top teams and if they criticize like that no one is gong to want to play the game never mind go and watch it.
Strangely enough I feel nothing for the Aussies, no tears, no heartache, nothing.
However I did drink a scotch or two with ice and soda. Hoots Mon!
Thought there worst performance was losing to us 53-8 last year.
Yes they could have won this game had Gits got a few over. He never. The huge loss against us last year was by far worse. Or is it that they lost to Scotland 😉
meant = their.
Loosehead @ 7 – I can acknowledge your feelings, for I too flattened a single malt after watching THAT match.
Indeed, Aus media is tough on its sports stars, but with good reason. They are paid a wheelbarrow full – and they are expected to earn it, at the very least with some passion and commitment, if not skill and enthusiasm.
Nonetheless, another weekend beckons, so here we go again!!!
10 – Old Griquas,
Howzite mate, Hope you well. Oz should have won that game had Gits got some over. Especially the last kick really thought he would have. Just felt pleased for the Scots they hardly win anything and have so many Socttish mates. Not all follow rugby but some were at the ground so felt good for them.
I know how you feel though. Remember we too lost to Scotland in 2002. I had 4 Scots mates here on holiday and I told them Boks going to slaughter them. They beat us really well that day and I have never lived it down.
Boks supporters have had their very bad moments too. Remember 49-0? That still hurts and 0-19 to ABs on home soil last year was terrible for us supporters. Also 53-3 to England in 2002 was hurtful for our supporters. It happens. So know how you feel.
Think Oz will be better this weekend and will beat Wales. You have a young side and still building. We Bok supporters are lucky that we still have most of the group that won us the wc still playing. Oz played well against us in Brisbane and beat us good and solid there.
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