What you thought : Qantas Wallabies against France in Sydney

Most Wallabies fans thought the Men of Gold were impressive in the second half against France but they need to improve further to match New Zealand and South Africa.

Once again the Men of Gold mailbox was inundated with your comments on the Qantas Wallabies clash with France in Sydney.

Overall Wallaby fans felt the team had shown a huge improvement in the second half but more would be needed to reach the level of the Springboks and the All Blacks, who meet in the first match of this year’s Tri-Nations in Wellington on Saturday.

Men of Gold Letter of the Weekwent to Prajeet Sharma who made an insightful summation of the first Test against France before pointing the way forward.

“The Wallabies need to concentrate on getting the basics right first before running the ball out wide” he wrote. “Simple turnovers, knock-ons and free-kicks will easily be punished by the more physical and structured Springboks and All Blacks. We saw in the 2nd half a more clinical Wallabies side who created opportunities from set plays. However this needs a bit more work and time.”

“The team has shown they have great potential and a lot more cohesion in the side was demonstrated in the 2nd 40mins” he continued. “Though (Robbie) Deans has advised the players to play what’s in front of them, they should first look at getting to the advantage line, better protecting the ball and then considering to play what’s in front of them.”

He also called for the inclusion of Stephen Hoiles and Lachie Turner, which co-incidentally has come about this week due to injuries to Lote Tuqiri and Wycliff Palu.

Prajeet finished by saying: “Overall a good performance but room to improve further.”

There was a real international feel to the feedback this week with Men of Gold receiving emails from as far afield as Kisumu in Kenya and North Canterbury in New Zealand.

Paul Okong’owriting from Kenya agreed “the Wallaby game versus France was very solid compared to the Irish Test. The guys had gelled better in comparison to the previous match.”

“This was a very dominant display and execution was great” he continued. “The pack led the way forward by ensuring the backs got the ball on the front foot. Line out was great and set-pieces in general were fantastic. Turnover ball was good and I believe the wallabies will get better and better as the season moves on.”

From Robbie Deans’ country, North Canterbury in New Zealand, came this from David and Nancy Gould: “We are newly converted Wallabies fans, and are having a wonderful time keeping up with the changes in the team brought by Robbie Deans. It was great to see the team playing as a cohesive team most of the game against France, also rewarding to have scoreboard confirmation that the Wallabies were the better team. Onward and upwards.”

Plaudits for the Wallabies even came from benevolent French supporters.

“I'm a young French supporter” wrote Edouard Carrere, “I find Australian team play in the 20 first minutes of the second half good Rugby with rhythm and ambition and a minimum number of fouls. I think if your team respect more the rules they can win by 50 points because French team was in a bad day without "French flair"! Matt Giteau realises a great game and the associations with Barnes were perfect...  Good luck for the Tri-nations. Sorry for the expression fouls and come on "Les Bleus" for the Second Test!”

Joeli Matakibaucongratulated the Wallabies saying: “Another great perfomance by Robbie and his gladiators. I congratulate Robbie for mapping Wallabies image of Rugby back in Australian camp. I like to watch Wallabies beat All Blacks in their Bledisloe meetings. Good luck Robbie and the Wallabies.”

Closer to home Stuart Boothroyd summed the Test up in one word ‘ordinary’ while also in the brickbat category Andrea (no last name supplied) slammed the Wallabies for everything except high petrol prices and is clearly still seething from the Rugby World Cup Quarter Final loss last year in Marseilles.

“My current thinking” she writes about the upcoming Tri-Nation’s Test in Sydney, “is that I'll go with the objective of seeing how Rugby should be played - by the All Blacks.” Who also got knocked out in the Quarter Finals of last year’s RWC.

She goes on to accuse Robbie Deans of “inappropriate and inaccurate waffle” and ends by telling the team to “Lift your game, boys! Otherwise you'll be playing to crowds comprising your relatives! Looking forward to a significant improvement in Brisbane next week.”

Chris and Kyliewere others also quick to talk up New Zealand: “All (Wallaby) players get an "a" for effort, but unlike the All Blacks, we haven't developed a way of putting inferior opponents to the sword.”

Before giving some words of advice: “Keeping the ball in hand and being patient would stress eager defences like the French and Irish.”

“On the plus side our scrummaging is improving with every performance” they continued. “Our halves combination are developing well and Peter Hynes is a revelation on the wing. Phil Waugh outshone his rival George Smith at the breakdown and our rolling maul defence was much improved.”

“I still have not seen enough to see the Wallabies lifting the Tri Nations Silverware” they finished, “but the next few Test matches are tantalizing!”

Russell Cook, an “avid follower of the Wallabies but had my faith severely tested by that first half!”, said the “most outstanding efforts were those of the forwards to withstand the French when they were camped on our try line” while Richard Hodgson wanted to know what had been said at half time by Robbie Deans as the “second half bore no resemblance to the first.”

Jason Fitzgerald Murphythought there was “definitely a greater level of enthusiasm and commitment to our defensive game” while Stuey Williamson “thought the Australian backs started to find some rhythm and 9, 10, 12 and 13 started to fire.”

“As usual Rocky (Elsom) had a strong game” he added, “but my Man of the Match went to Luke Burgess. His strength, speed and power for a halfback is very impressive.

Damian Taintonwho was “at the game on Saturday”; “was most impressed with the Wallabies performance especially in the second half.”

He went on to explain “The reason I was at the game, was my son and his team (Hawkesbury Valley) were selected to do the guard of honour for the players pre match. I want to congratulate the ARU for doing this as the boys had a fantastic time and they were all in awe of seeing some of there heroes run out onto the field.”

He added he would like the players to “sign some autographs post match on the field” and made special mention of “Phil Waugh who actually said hello to our team prior to running on the field.”

“Overall’’ he finished, “I was extremely impressed with the game, and with the officials from the ARU who made the whole night memorable for our team.

Norm Noackalso felt it was “much better performance” while Michael Taylor was prepared to be patient as “it is not easy to redesign your style of play.”

Matt Lfrom Eastwood admitted to being “an avid Rugby fan” however he was not inspired by the lack of “razzle dazzle” on display.

Both Gary Palmer from Victoria (“ex Kiwi. Now a dedicated Aussie supporter.”) and Merv Mandurah from Western Australia were two more quick to compare the All Blacks to the Wallabies and suggest the Men of Gold come up lacking.

“I have to say if you have this first half performance against the All Blacks there will be no coming back in the second half to win the game” said Gary. “Boys, listen to that great Coach you have. Play the first half like you did in the second and there is no team in the world that will beat you.  WELL DONE on the victory.”

Merv was tougher still saying the only two Wallabies who would make the current All Blacks squad would be “perhaps Matt Giteau and Nathan Sharpe on the bench.” David Thomson, the All Blacks blindside flanker against South Africa, will be happy to know somebody in the world thinks he’s a better player than Rocky Elsom.

One also wonders what Gary, Merv and all the All Black-ophiles will say if the World Champion Springboks beat New Zealand in Wellington on Saturday.

Matthew Krenmayrwrapped things up by suggesting Waltzing Matilda should be swapped for “We are Australian” as the Wallabies theme song before the game.

Thanks for all those who wrote in with their thoughts. After all they are your Men of Gold and we want to know what you think. Keep the emails coming to menofgold@rugby.com.au

Till next week,

Men of Gold