The Growden Report
How Wallabies are getting their groove back
Greg Growden
August 10, 2015
Australia 27-19 New Zealand (Australia only)

Just over a week ago, Wallabies coach Michael Cheika visited the ESPN offices to spread the good word. In an extensive and revealing interview, which we will continue to show over the next few weeks, he talked about the Rugby World Cup, his coaching philosophies, his motivations and also whether the Wallabies had any chance of at last wresting the Bledisloe Cup from New Zealand.

Those who observed the interview were impressed with Cheika's relative calmness and his deep belief that the Wallabies were now up to any task that was put before them. He stressed the point that it was imperative the Wallabies did not shirk responsibilities, but accept any challenge. It was time, as he put it "to feel the heat".

Wallabies need to feel the heat: Cheika
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"I want the Wallabies to get used to being in that hot environment and enjoy that … don't worry about the outcome, just get in there and play against the best team in the world, compete, and when you're competing, don't be surprised; get used to being uncomfortable in that zone," Cheika said.

The Wallabies certainly felt the heat at Homebush on Saturday. They were often uncomfortable. But they weren't surprised. And they definitely did compete. The experience was nonetheless enjoyable, providing them with the most morale boosting of victories, with the added joy of a Rugby Championship title triumph.

They also stood as one, with Cheika and his coaching staff breaking protocol before the game, and lining up with the players on the field to belt out Advance Australia Fair. It was an impressive moment. You just felt that at last the Wallabies were up to the heat of this battle. Everyone lifted.

Sekope Kepu celebrates his first Test try © Getty Images
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Those who handled the heat best were up front. It is not often that you can say the Wallabies outpointed the All Blacks in back-row play - but that was certainly the case when the gamble of playing David Pocock at No 8 alongside Michael Hooper and Scott Fardy proved to be a Cheika masterstroke.

Michael Cheika plays down dismantling
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Pocock, Hooper and Fardy produced one of the best Australian back-row performances in years, effectively nullifying the All Black power base. It is not often that players of the calibre of Richie McCaw, Daniel Carter, Jerome Kaino, Kieran Read, Conrad Smith and Sonny Bill Williams have minimal effect during a Bledisloe Cup match. But that was certainly the case in Sydney, and it had a lot to do with Pocock, Hooper and Fardy being so dominant all over the field.

The trio were fearless, and it was such a joy seeing how much Pocock and Hooper relish playing alongside each other. They are two fearless marauders, and work better when hunting as a pack. Fardy was their loyal sidekick, performing well at all set-pieces, as well as being an ominous threat at the breakdown and in open play. The defence of all three was crucial. No-one got past them.

Australia's Nic White runs in to score a try, Australia v New Zealand, The Rugby Championship, ANZ Stadium, Sydney, August 8, 2015
Nic White was key to Australia's improved backline play © Getty Images
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They also instilled confidence in all those around them. And it all came together when the Wallabies got their backline right midway during the second half.

The Wallabies were muddled early because their halves combination - Nick Phipps and Bernard Foley - appeared frazzled by the occasion. Phipps was passing before thinking, and then lost the plot when a stupid professional foul saw him go to the sin-bin. Foley was rushing everything, effectively cornered by the All Blacks.

Cheika had no option but to send on Nic White and Matt Toomua, and the clouds lifted as soon as that happened.

I have for a long time been pushing for Toomua to be the Wallabies No.10 - and we saw in the second half why I have been pushing for him. He immediately took control, provided the required depth to the Australian play, straightened the attack, knew when to break it up with a chip kick, and Matt Giteau outside him immediately blossomed.

That is the way it must be. Toomua at No.10. Giteau at No.12. Or vice versa. This has a bit of old and new school, but most importantly composure and poise. It would also lead to opposition respect.

Unlike Phipps, his replacement, White, took the initiative, and turned the game around. White sniped away, tried something different, and finished with the match-winning try.

We're all hurting: Richie McCaw
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Now onto Auckland, where the tension will be even more excruciating. The All Blacks will no doubt bounce back with a vengeance. And they will undoubtedly expose the Wallabies' frailties, which include an inability to win important lineout throws and poor passing when under pressure. Also the All Blacks will not play that badly again, especially in defence. Constant dropped passes won't happen two weeks in a row.

The Wallabies' selections for Eden Park will be crucial, especially out wide. The Phipps-Foley combination has again been shown to be flawed, and while Will Genia is gradually overcoming his knee problem, it is time to give the White-Toomua pairing a proper airing.

Australia also must not get ahead of themselves. Winning at Eden Park is 10 times harder than winning in Sydney. The Wallabies must immediately forget what happened on Saturday, and prepare for the All Blacks' onslaught.

The heat will be of out-of-control bushfire proportions.

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