Andrew Slack explains why Wallabies deserved to share spoils with Springboks

A DRAW was the right result because neither team deserved to win. You could possibly argue both teams deserved to lose because, explains ANDREW SLACK.

Kurtley Beale has been a shining light since his return to the gold jersey.

A DRAW was the right result because neither team deserved to win. You could possibly argue both teams deserved to lose because, the scoreboard aside, it was hardly one of the more gripping Test matches.

There are many questions that could be asked of Wallaby performances over recent years but perhaps the most pressing one concerns why their scrummaging is so inconsistent.

At certain periods through games the Wallaby scrum looks immovable. Too often however, it looks both literally and figuratively, a pushover.

Kurtley Beale has been a shining light since his return to the gold jersey.

The 10-point lead they earned by midway through the second half came on the back of a sound enough effort at scrum time, but in the last 20 minutes it was men against boys.

If you want to talk about consistency, or the lack of, you can’t leave the Wallaby backs out of the debate because their passing game is on a par with the scrummaging. One minute it looks slick and under control, and the next it is third rate.

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Scrummaging and passing are basic skills of the game. One would hope the national team might have them both under a fair amount of control. It’s clear that is not the case.

Maybe, we should send all our players on a 12-month sabbatical to play UK rugby because if Kurtley Beale is anything to go by, a spell in the Old Dart might just put the finishing touches on some of our boys.

Beale’s return to Wallaby colours has seen him suffer two defeats and a draw but if the scoreboard was marked for individual competence and contribution, he’d be unbeaten in three games.

He’s a major threat with the ball, he reads the play well, he kicks at the right time and to the right places and he defends vigorously and effectively.

Indeed his tackling this season suggests this coaching tactic of hiding people in defence should be put in the ancient history drawer. If you’re picked to play fly half or inside centre or winger, you stay there most of the time in both attack and defence and prove your worth. If someone has to be hidden, I’d suggest that someone shouldn’t be there.

Australia’s scrum was not up to scratch.

And speaking of who shouldn’t be there, can anyone explain what flanker Ned Hanigan adds to the Wallaby effort at this stage? The Waratahs flanker may grow into a worthwhile international player but at the moment he looks to me like a Michael Cheika project, and a project that isn’t working.

It’s the Pumas next up for the Wallabies on Saturday night in Canberra, and while their scrummaging wasn’t that impressive in their loss to the All Blacks, you can be sure they’ll see opportunity for redemption against Australia.

The Wallabies season remains a very slow work in progress.

Originally published as Andrew Slack explains why Wallabies deserved to share spoils with Springboks